Free Pre-Start Checklist (Syringe Pump) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Syringe Pump) Template

A syringe pump is a piece of precision equipment used to deliver small, accurate, and consistent amounts of fluid. Whether used in a medical, laboratory, or industrial setting, its correct function is critical.

This free Pre-Start Checklist (Syringe Pump) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct essential safety and operational checks before use. Integrating these checks helps identify potential faults, damage, or calibration issues that could lead to inaccurate dosing, equipment failure, or exposure to hazardous substances.

Using a daily checklist formalises the inspection process, ensuring no steps are missed and creating a documented record of due diligence. It is a fundamental part of a safe system of work, helping to fulfil the PCBU’s duty of care to provide and maintain safe plant. To further embed this behaviour, you can reinforce the importance of equipment inspections with our Pre-Start Checks and Plant Maintenance Toolbox Talk.

While a pre-start checklist focuses on immediate operational safety, it is also a component of a broader safety strategy. The process of customising and implementing this checklist supports your overall risk management activities. By systematically thinking about what could go wrong with a syringe pump, you are actively identifying hazards, which is the first step in a formal risk assessment process, similar to the one outlined in our Free Water Pump Risk Assessment Template.

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

This template is designed for ease of use and customisation. After downloading the DOCX or PDF file, you should adapt it to suit the specific context of your workplace. Key steps for implementation include:

• Customise the Checklist: Add your company branding and details. Most importantly, review and modify the checklist items to align with the specific make and model of syringe pumps you use. Consider adding checks relevant to the fluids being pumped (e.g., compatibility), the operating environment, and any specific alarms or features of your equipment.
• Consult with Workers: Involve the operators who use the syringe pumps daily. Their practical experience is invaluable for identifying critical checks and potential failure points.
• Train Your Team: Ensure all relevant personnel are trained on how and when to use the checklist. Explain the importance of each check and the correct procedure to follow if a fault is identified.
• Implement and Review: Integrate the checklist into your daily operational procedures. Periodically review its effectiveness and update it as necessary, especially when new equipment is introduced or incidents occur.

Please note: This document is a template. We provide it as a starting point, and you must customise it to reflect the specific models of syringe pumps used at your workplace, the tasks they perform, and your unique operational environment. A robust checklist is a vital tool within comprehensive WHS management systems.

When to use it

A pre-start checklist for a syringe pump should be completed before its first use on any given day or at the beginning of any shift during which it will be operated. It is a routine check to verify the equipment's condition before it is put into service.

This process does not replace the need for regular, scheduled maintenance and calibration as specified by the manufacturer, but rather complements it by catching potential issues that may arise between service intervals.

Who should use it

This checklist should be used by any person who is trained, authorised, and deemed competent to operate the syringe pump. This may include laboratory technicians, medical staff, research scientists, or industrial operators.

Competency involves not only knowing how to operate the pump but also understanding the associated risks and being able to identify signs of malfunction or damage. The specific procedures for safe operation, including who is authorised to use the equipment, are typically detailed in a Pump SOP (Safe Operating Procedure).

Implementing new safety documents and procedures can sometimes reveal gaps or complexities in your existing safety framework. If you require assistance in developing or refining your processes to align with Australian WHS standards, our WHS consulting services can provide tailored expert guidance.

This can help ensure your safety documentation is practical, effective, and integrated seamlessly into your operations.