Free Pre-Start Checklist (Telehandler) Template

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

A telehandler, or telescopic handler, is a versatile piece of high-risk plant used across construction, agriculture, and logistics. Its complexity and operational risks necessitate rigorous daily inspections.

This Free Pre-Start Checklist (Telehandler) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct and record these essential checks before commencing work. The purpose is to proactively identify mechanical faults, hydraulic leaks, structural damage, or other unsafe conditions that could lead to an incident.

Using a formal checklist helps an organisation demonstrate its commitment to safety and due diligence. It standardises the inspection process, ensuring that critical components like tyres, booms, attachments, controls, and safety devices are consistently evaluated.

Integrating these checks is a fundamental part of robust WHS management systems, helping to prevent equipment failure, reduce costly downtime, and protect workers from harm.

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

This document serves as a comprehensive starting point for your organisation's safety procedures. It is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience.

• Download: Select your preferred format (DOCX for easy editing or PDF for immediate printing).
• Customise: Adapt the checklist to suit the specific make, model, and configuration of the telehandlers used in your workplace. Add or remove items to reflect the unique attachments (forks, jibs, buckets) and operational environment.
• Train: Ensure all operators are trained not only on how to operate the telehandler safely but also on the importance and correct procedure for completing the pre-start inspection.
• Implement: Integrate the checklist into your daily start-of-shift routine. Operators must complete it before the first use of the telehandler each day.
• Review: Supervisors should regularly review completed checklists to verify they are being done correctly and to identify any recurring faults or maintenance trends.

Please note: We provide this template as a foundational document. You must customise it to reflect the specific plant, tasks, and risks unique to your organisation.

For assistance in tailoring safety documents to your specific operational needs, consider engaging professional WHS consulting services.

What to do if a fault is found

If an operator identifies a defect or fault during the pre-start check, the telehandler must not be used. The operator should immediately apply a 'Do Not Operate' or 'Out of Service' tag to the machine's controls, report the issue to their supervisor or the designated maintenance person, and document the fault on the checklist.

The equipment must remain out of service until it has been inspected, repaired by a competent person, and deemed safe for use.

When to use it

The telehandler pre-start checklist should be completed at the beginning of every shift or before the equipment is used for the first time on any given day. It is a pre-operational check designed to catch issues before the plant is put under load.

A new check should also be performed if a new operator takes over midway through a shift. This routine is just as important as the daily checks for other specialised machinery, which might require documents like a Free Pre-Start Checklist (Forwarder) Template for forestry operations.

Who should use it

The primary user of this checklist is the licensed and competent telehandler operator. They are in the best position to physically inspect the equipment and identify any abnormalities. However, the process involves others:

• Supervisors and Managers: They are responsible for ensuring operators are completing the checks correctly and for actioning any reported faults. They also review the records as part of their safety oversight duties.
• Maintenance Personnel: They rely on the information from these checklists to schedule repairs and preventative maintenance. A detailed check helps them diagnose problems more efficiently.

The records generated by these checklists are valuable documents. They can be reviewed during formal safety reviews or as part of a WHS compliance auditing process to verify that safety procedures are being followed.

For workshops that handle the repairs identified on these forms, a similar process should apply to their own equipment, using tools like a bench grinder pre-start checklist to ensure maintenance tools are also safe for use. If you need other templates for different equipment, you can browse our complete free WHS resources library for more options.