Pre-Start Inspection
A pre-start inspection is a systematic check performed on plant, equipment, or vehicles before each use or shift to identify defects, damage, or unsafe conditions. It typically follows a standardised checklist covering safety-critical items such as brakes, steering, lights, tyres, guards, fluid levels, and warning devices. Pre-start inspections are a legal requirement under workplace health and safety regulations in most Australian jurisdictions.
Why it matters
Pre-start inspections are the frontline defence against equipment-related injuries and fatalities. They ensure that only safe, fit-for-purpose equipment is operated, and create a documented record of due diligence. Failure to conduct or record pre-start inspections can result in regulatory penalties, increased insurance premiums, and personal liability for managers under WHS legislation.
How MapTrack helps
MapTrack digitises pre-start inspections with customisable mobile checklists, automatic photo capture, instant defect escalation, and a complete audit trail stored against each asset’s record.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for conducting pre-start inspections?
The operator or driver of the equipment is typically responsible for performing the pre-start inspection before each use or at the beginning of each shift. However, the duty holder (employer, PCBU, or site controller) has a legal obligation to ensure that a system is in place for inspections to occur, that checklists are appropriate, and that defects are acted upon promptly.
How long should pre-start inspection records be kept?
In Australia, workplace health and safety legislation generally requires inspection records to be retained for at least the period specified in the relevant regulations, which can be up to 30 years for health monitoring records. As a practical minimum, pre-start records should be kept for the life of the asset plus at least 7 years. Digital systems make long-term retention straightforward.
Related terms
Compliance Management
Compliance management in asset-intensive industries is the systematic process of ensuring that equipment, operations, and personnel meet all applicable regulatory, safety, environmental, and contractual requirements. It encompasses tracking inspection due dates, certifications, licences, safety checks, environmental obligations, and industry-specific standards. Compliance management requires both proactive scheduling and thorough record-keeping.
Asset Audit
An asset audit is a systematic process of physically verifying the existence, location, condition, and details of assets against the organisation’s asset register. It identifies discrepancies such as missing assets, unrecorded items, incorrect locations, and outdated information. Asset audits may be conducted for financial reporting, regulatory compliance, insurance purposes, or operational integrity.
Service History
Service history is the chronological record of all maintenance, repairs, inspections, and modifications performed on an asset throughout its lifecycle. A comprehensive service history includes dates, descriptions of work, parts used, technician details, costs, and supporting documentation such as photos or test certificates. It serves as the permanent maintenance biography of an asset.
Plant and Equipment
Plant and equipment is a broad term encompassing machinery, vehicles, tools, and other physical assets used in industrial, construction, mining, and commercial operations. In Australian workplace health and safety legislation, ‘plant’ is defined to include any machinery, equipment, appliance, container, implement, or tool, and any component or fitting thereof. The term covers everything from hand tools to heavy earthmoving machinery and cranes.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure used to ensure that equipment is properly shut down, isolated from all energy sources, and cannot be restarted until maintenance or repair work is completed. Lockout involves physically locking energy isolation devices (such as circuit breakers or valves) in the off position, while tagout involves attaching a warning tag to the isolation point. LOTO protects workers from the unexpected release of hazardous energy during servicing.
See how MapTrack handles pre-start inspection