Free Pre-Start Checklist (Steriliser) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Steriliser) Template

This free Pre-Start Checklist (Steriliser) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct essential safety inspections on sterilising equipment, such as autoclaves, before each use. Its primary purpose is to systematically identify potential hazards associated with high pressure, extreme heat, steam, and electrical systems.

Formalising these checks helps a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) meet their primary duty of care under Australian WHS laws by ensuring plant is safe to operate.

Using a standardised checklist ensures consistency in inspections, reduces the risk of equipment failure, and prevents injuries like severe burns or scalding. It creates a documented record that the equipment was in a safe condition at the start of a shift, forming a critical part of your broader WHS management systems. It also helps reinforce key messages from safety training and toolbox talks.

How to use the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Steriliser) Template

The template is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for ease of use. First, download the document and add your company name, logo, and other relevant site details.

The most critical step is customisation. This checklist is a starting point and must be adapted to the specific make, model, and configuration of the steriliser in your workplace.

This is similar to how our free Pre-Start Checklist for 3D Printers must be tailored to the specific machine's risks.

Important Note: This is a generic template, not a finished, document. We cannot know your specific steriliser model, the substances being processed, or the unique environmental risks of your facility.

You must consult the manufacturer's operating manual, conduct a risk assessment, and modify this checklist to include all relevant inspection points for your equipment. Failure to properly customise the checklist could result in critical safety checks being missed.

When to use a Steriliser Pre-Start Checklist

A pre-start checklist should be completed by the operator before the first use on any given day or shift. For equipment that is used infrequently, the check should be performed before every cycle.

The goal is to catch issues that may have developed since the last use, such as damaged seals, leaking valves, or faulty displays.

This routine check does not replace the need for scheduled preventative maintenance, servicing, or statutory inspections by a competent person as required by regulations for pressure vessels. The completion of these checklists should be monitored by supervisors and can be verified during internal or external WHS compliance audits.

Who should use this checklist

The pre-start checklist should be filled out by the person who will be operating the steriliser. This user must be trained and deemed competent in the safe operation of the specific unit, including understanding its functions, controls, and emergency procedures.

They should be able to recognise the hazards highlighted in the checklist and know the correct procedure to follow if a fault is found—namely, to not operate the equipment and to report the issue immediately through established 'tag out' procedures.

Supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring operators are trained and that these checks are consistently performed. Integrating this checklist with other safety documents, such as a Pre-Start Checks and Plant Maintenance Toolbox Talk, can help reinforce its importance across the team.

In settings like healthcare, users must also be aware of related risks, such as those associated with loading heavy instrument trays.

What's included in the template?

The template provides prompts for essential inspection areas, including:

• General Area: Checks for clear access, slip/trip hazards, and adequate lighting.
• Physical Checks: Inspection of door seals, chamber integrity, locking mechanisms, and external surfaces for damage.
• Controls & Gauges: Verification that pressure gauges, temperature displays, and cycle timers are functional and reading correctly.
• Safety Features: Checks for the condition and accessibility of the emergency stop, pressure relief valves, and any interlock systems.
• Ancillaries: Inspection of water, steam, and electrical connections for leaks or damage.

Feel free to browse our free WHS resources library for other templates that can support your safety management system.