Daily Plant Prestarts Checklists

Daily pre-start checks are a mandatory requirement for registered plant under the WHS Regulations. Clause 219 of the model WHS Regulations requires that plant with registration must be inspected before use to ensure it is safe to operate. This duty sits with both the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) who manages or controls the plant, and the operator who is about to use it.

Pre-start checklists document that this inspection has occurred and provide a daily record that can demonstrate due diligence in the event of an incident or regulator audit. For plant requiring a high-risk work licence — such as forklifts, cranes, EWPs and front-end loaders — the operator completing the pre-start check must hold the relevant current licence.

A completed pre-start checklist should record any defects found, the action taken (including removal from service where required), and the operator's signature. Defective plant must be tagged out of service and not returned to operation until repaired and inspected by a competent person. Records should be retained for a minimum period consistent with your WHS management system, typically at least 12 months or for the life of the plant.