A scissor lift pre-start takes about five minutes and runs in three passes: walk around the machine, function-test the controls (ground first, then platform), then check the site. Do it every shift, record it in the machine’s logbook, and tag the machine out if anything fails. The checklist below covers all three passes.
Pass 1 — Around the machine
- Tyres and wheels — no cuts, chunks missing or loose wheel nuts; solid tyres seated properly
- Hoses and leaks — no hydraulic weeps under the machine or along hose runs; fittings dry
- Guardrails and gate — rails secure, gate closes and latches, no bent or missing sections
- Pins and fasteners — scissor stack pins and retaining clips in place, nothing working loose
- Decals and placards — capacity plate, warnings and control decals present and readable
- Battery / fuel — charge level good for the shift (or fuel for diesels), terminals clean, charger lead undamaged
Pass 2 — Function tests
- Emergency stops — test the ground and platform e-stops; the machine must shut down instantly on both
- Ground controls first — raise, lower and emergency descent from the base station before anyone boards
- Platform controls second — drive, steer, lift and lower from the deck; drive/lift selector switches cleanly
- Alarms and horn — descent alarm sounds when lowering, horn works, flashing beacon operates
- Tilt sensor — confirm the tilt alarm and lift cut-out respond (per the machine manual’s test method)
Pass 3 — The site
- Ground — firm, level, rated for the machine’s weight (a 19ft is 1,520kg — see the weight guide); no soft fill, pits or penetrations on the route
- Overhead hazards — powerlines, beams, ducts, door headers; keep required exclusion distances from electrical lines
- Exclusion zone — area below and around the work barricaded or spotted; pedestrians and traffic controlled
What are the logbook and service rules?
| Requirement | Interval | Who |
|---|
| Pre-start inspection, recorded in logbook | Every shift | Operator |
| Routine service and inspection (AS 2550.10) | Every 90 days | Competent service technician |
| Major inspection | 10 years | Competent person / engineer |
Every EWP carries a logbook — the pre-start goes in it every shift, and the 90-day service stickers should be current. On our hire fleet the 90-day servicing and major inspections are our job; the daily pre-start and logbook entry are yours. These requirements are general guidance under AS 2550.10 — verify current details against WorkSafe Victoria guidance and the standard itself.
What if something fails the pre-start?
Don’t use the machine. Tag it out, note the fault in the logbook, and call us on 1300 806 577 — any breakdown means the machine is swapped out within 24 hours, and a swap machine always beats a risky workaround. A failed e-stop or a hydraulic leak is never a “keep an eye on it” item.
Common questions
Is the pre-start legally required?
Operators must ensure the machine is safe before use, and the industry-standard way to demonstrate that is the documented daily pre-start in the logbook per AS 2550.10. Site inductions almost always require it. Verify specifics against WorkSafe Victoria guidance.
Who does the 90-day inspection on a hired machine?
We do — every machine in the fleet is serviced on the 90-day cycle and delivered with a current logbook. You’re responsible for the daily pre-start while it’s on your site.
Do I need training to do a pre-start?
You need to be competent on the machine type — the EWPA Yellow Card course covers pre-starts properly. Our operating guide covers where the pre-start fits in the full sequence.
How long should it take?
About five minutes once you know the machine. If it’s taking 30 seconds, it’s not being done.
