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Free cherry picker pre-start checklist
Free cherry picker / EWP pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers boom, basket, controls, hydraulics, outriggers and emergency descent. Download free.
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25 checks · 7 sections · Sign-off
25 checks
The fields in the printable form, in a view that fits your screen.
- Asset ID
- Make / model
- Serial number
- Date
- Operator
- SWL
Boom and Knuckle
Basket / Platform
Hydraulic System
Outriggers / Stabilisers
Controls (Ground and Platform)
Safety Devices
Emergency Descent
(list any item marked F: reference item # from checklist)
Defects & Action Required
- Item #
- Defect description
- Action taken / reported to
- Rectified by / date
Declaration
I declare that I have completed this cherry picker / EWP pre-start inspection before using this machine. I have reported any defects or non-compliant items to my supervisor and will not use this EWP until any defects that affect safety have been rectified.
Operator Sign-off
Signature · Print name · Date & time
Supervisor / Reviewer Acknowledgement
Signature · Print name · Date
The MapTrack cherry picker pre-start checklist contains 25 checks across 7 sections.
General guidance only. Check the form against your equipment manual, site procedures and local requirements before using it.
Short answer
A cherry picker pre-start checklist records the operator's checks on a boom-type elevating work platform before anyone is raised: chassis, tyres and outriggers, boom sections and pins, basket guardrails and gate, ground and platform controls, emergency stop, hydraulics, emergency descent and the SWL plate. Complete one before each use or shift. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations requires inspection following the manufacturer's recommendations, and AS 2550.10:2025 covers safe use.
Checked against AS 2550.10:2025 on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack cherry picker pre-start checklist contains 25 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Boom and Knuckle, Basket / Platform, Hydraulic System, Outriggers / Stabilisers, Controls (Ground and Platform), Safety Devices, Emergency Descent.
- Test the emergency descent and both ground and platform controls at every pre-start. A machine that fails either is not used to raise anyone.
- Reg 213 requires inspection per the manufacturer, or a competent person where the manufacturer gives none, or annually if neither is practicable.
- AS 2550.10:2025 Section 6 covers maintenance, inspection and repair; EWPA's Version 2 guidance (September 2026) explains the major inspection process.
- Safe Work Australia published a model Code of Practice for elevating work platforms in December 2025; NSW's own edition commenced 10 July 2026.
- Inspect the harness and lanyard before use; AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 Section 8 covers inspection of height safety equipment.
What is a cherry picker pre-start checklist?
A cherry picker pre-start checklist is a daily inspection form used to verify that a cherry picker, also known as a boom-type elevated work platform (EWP), is safe and operational before workers are elevated. Cherry pickers are used across construction, maintenance, telecommunications, arboriculture and events to provide temporary access at height. The pre-start checklist prompts the operator to systematically inspect the base and chassis (tyres, wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers, levelling indicators), the boom (telescopic or articulated sections, pivot pins, boom cylinder condition), the basket or platform (floor condition, guardrails, toe boards, gate or chain, tool trays), controls at both ground and basket level (drive, boom slew, boom extend/retract, boom raise/lower, emergency stop), the hydraulic system (hoses, fittings, cylinders, fluid level, no leaks), the emergency descent system (manual lowering valve, auxiliary power unit), and safety markings (SWL plate legible, rated capacity and reach diagram, warning decals). Completing this checklist before each use ensures that potential faults, such as hydraulic leaks, faulty emergency descent, damaged guardrails or non-functional controls, are identified before workers are elevated, reducing the risk of falls from height, mechanical failure and non-compliance with WHS regulations.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Running cherry pickers across jobs? See construction asset tracking software for pre-starts, services and inspection due dates on each machine.
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Benefits of using this cherry picker pre-start checklist
- Fall prevention: identify faults in guardrails, harness anchor points, controls and emergency descent before workers are elevated in the basket.
- Emergency descent verification: confirm the manual lowering system and auxiliary power unit are functional before elevated work begins.
- WHS compliance: meet workplace health and safety obligations for daily pre-use inspections of elevated work platforms.
- Defect detection: catch hydraulic leaks, boom section damage, outrigger faults and control malfunctions before they cause an incident.
- Operator accountability: the signed checklist confirms the operator has personally inspected the cherry picker and deemed it safe for use.
- Audit trail: completed checklists provide documented evidence for safety audits, incident investigations and insurer requirements.
What to include in a cherry picker pre-start checklist
- Machine details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (telescopic boom, articulated boom, trailer-mounted), hour meter reading.
- Operator details: name, licence or competency number (EWP class WP if applicable), date, site/location.
- Base and chassis: tyres (condition, inflation), wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers (pads, pins, cylinders), levelling indicators, chassis for cracks or damage.
- Boom: telescopic or articulated boom sections (cracks, dents, corrosion), pivot pins (wear, lubrication), boom cylinders (leaks, condition), boom rest.
- Basket / platform: floor condition, guardrails and mid-rails, toe boards, entry gate or chain, tool tray attachment points, harness anchor points.
- Controls - ground level: ground control station, drive controls, boom slew/raise/lower/extend/retract, emergency stop, function labels legible.
- Controls - basket level: platform control station, all functions operational, emergency stop, override key (if applicable).
- Hydraulics: hoses, fittings, cylinders, hydraulic fluid level, no leaks under the machine.
- Emergency descent: manual lowering valve operation, auxiliary power unit (if fitted), emergency descent procedure card present.
- Safety markings: SWL plate legible, rated capacity and reach diagram displayed, warning decals intact.
- Engine or power source: oil, coolant, fuel (diesel) or battery charge (electric), belts, air filter.
- Overall result, defect table, operator and supervisor sign-off.
How to use this cherry picker pre-start checklist
Record the machine and operator details at the top of the checklist, including the hour meter reading and EWP type.
Enter the machine asset ID, make, model, serial number, current hour meter reading, EWP type (telescopic boom, articulated boom or trailer-mounted) and the site location. Record the operator name, EWP licence or competency number (WP class if boom length is 11 metres or more) and the date. This information links the inspection to a specific machine and operator for audit traceability and incident investigation records.
Walk around the cherry picker and inspect the base, chassis, outriggers, boom sections, basket, guardrails and all external components. Check underneath for hydraulic leaks.
Start at the base and work upward. Check tyres for condition, inflation and wheel nut tightness. Inspect outrigger or stabiliser legs, pads and pins for cracks, deformation or missing retaining clips. Check each boom section for dents, corrosion, cracks or paint blistering that could indicate structural fatigue. Inspect pivot pins for wear and adequate lubrication. Check the basket floor for corrosion, guardrails and mid-rails for secure mounting, toe boards for presence and the entry gate or chain for proper closure. Look underneath for fresh hydraulic fluid pools.
Test ground-level controls: drive, boom slew, raise, lower, extend, retract and emergency stop. Then test basket-level controls for the same functions.
At the ground control station, test each function individually: drive forward and reverse, boom slew left and right, boom raise and lower, boom extend and retract. Confirm smooth, proportional response with no jerking, hesitation or unusual noise. Press the emergency stop and confirm all functions cease immediately. Release the emergency stop and verify the machine resumes normal operation. Then enter the basket and test all the same functions from the basket-level control station. Verify the emergency stop at basket level also works correctly.
Test the emergency descent system: operate the manual lowering valve and confirm the basket can be lowered from ground level in an emergency.
With the basket elevated to a moderate height, operate the manual lowering valve from the ground-level station. Confirm the basket lowers smoothly at a controlled rate. This is a critical safety check, as the manual lowering system is the rescue method if the primary controls fail while workers are elevated. If an auxiliary power unit is fitted, test that it starts and powers the boom. Check that the emergency descent procedure card is displayed at the ground control station and is legible.
If any item fails, tag the machine out of service and do not elevate workers until the defect is rectified. Report per your site procedures.
Attach an out-of-service tag to the ground control station and the basket controls. Record the failed item in the defect section of the checklist with a clear description. Notify the site supervisor and maintenance team immediately. The cherry picker must not be used to elevate workers until the defect is repaired, reinspected and cleared by a competent person. Failed emergency descent systems, guardrail damage and hydraulic leaks are particularly critical and must not be operated under any circumstances.
Sign and date the checklist. Ensure the SWL plate and rated capacity diagram are legible before commencing work.
The operator signs to confirm they have completed the inspection and are satisfied the machine is safe. Verify the SWL (safe working load) plate is legible and correctly displayed. Check the rated capacity and reach diagram is present and matches the machine configuration. If a supervisor countersignature is required, obtain it before elevating workers. File the form in the machine logbook or submit digitally through MapTrack for automatic attachment to the asset record.
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How often should you complete this checklist?
Complete a cherry picker pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the machine has been moved to a new site, has had repairs, or was used by a different operator, perform a fresh check. Many sites require a daily pre-start for all EWPs on site. In addition to daily checks, manufacturers and regulators typically require periodic inspections (e.g. quarterly and annually), and AS 2550.10:2025 calls for a major inspection after 10 years of service and every 5 years after that, according to EWPA guidance. Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time the cherry picker is used.
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Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.
A cherry picker pre-start check should cover the base and chassis (tyres, outriggers, levelling), boom sections (telescopic or articulated, pivot pins, cylinders), basket or platform (guardrails, toe boards, gate, harness anchor points), controls at both ground and basket level (drive, boom functions, emergency stop), hydraulic system (hoses, fittings, fluid level), emergency descent system (manual lowering valve, auxiliary power unit), safety markings (SWL plate, capacity diagram, warning decals) and engine or power source. Complete the check before each use.
Link to this answerCherry pickers should receive a pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. In addition, manufacturers typically recommend periodic inspections by a competent person (quarterly, annually), and AS 2550.10:2025 calls for a major inspection after 10 years of service and every 5 years after that, according to EWPA guidance on the standard. Under the model WHS Regulations (regulation 213), plant must be inspected as the manufacturer recommends, or as a competent person recommends where the manufacturer gives none, or annually if neither is reasonably practicable. Always follow the most stringent requirement from the manufacturer, regulator or site policy.
Link to this answerIn Australia, operators of boom-type elevated work platforms with a boom length of 11 metres or more require a High Risk Work Licence (EWP class WP). For boom-type EWPs under 11 metres, a licence may not be required by law, but operators must still be trained and deemed competent by their employer. Scissor lifts and other non-boom EWPs generally do not require a licence, though training is still mandatory. Requirements vary by state and territory, so check your local WHS regulations and always verify operator competency before allowing use.
Link to this answerA cherry picker and a boom lift are essentially the same type of machine, both being boom-type elevated work platforms (EWPs). The term "cherry picker" originated from fruit harvesting and is commonly used in Australia, the UK and New Zealand. "Boom lift" is the more common term in the United States. Both refer to a mobile platform with an extendable boom (telescopic, articulated or both) that lifts a basket or platform to provide access at height. The pre-start inspection requirements are the same regardless of which term is used.
Link to this answerYes, this cherry picker pre-start checklist is completely free to download as a PDF. No account or signup is required. For teams wanting to move beyond paper forms, MapTrack offers a digital version that schedules each inspection, emails the assigned person in the week before it falls due, and stores completed records in the cloud for instant retrieval during audits.
Link to this answerApplicable regulatory standards
This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platformsSafe use of mobile elevating work platforms, including maintenance, inspection and repair. | AS 2550.10:2025 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsInspection per the manufacturer or a competent person, lifting plant within safe limits, and the boom-type EWP licence class. | Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Model Code of Practice: Elevating work platformsModel Code of Practice for elevating work platforms, December 2025. NSW approved its own edition from 10 July 2026. | December 2025 version | Whole instrument | Safe Work Australia |
| Guidance on Major Inspections - for Owners and Service ProvidersIndustry guidance on AS 2550.10:2025 inspections and major inspections, including what owners keep. Guidance, not law. | Version 2, September 2026 |
| Elevating Work Platform Association of Australia (EWPA) |
| Personal equipment for work at height, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenanceInspection, maintenance and storage of the harness and lanyard worn in the basket. | AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Cranes, hoists and winches, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platformsDesign standard for mobile elevating work platforms, the source of the rated capacity and SWL plate data. | AS/NZS 1418.10:2025 | Whole instrument | Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platforms
Edition: AS 2550.10:2025
Safe use of mobile elevating work platforms, including maintenance, inspection and repair.
- Section 6: Maintenance, inspection and repair of mobile elevating work platforms.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)
Inspection per the manufacturer or a competent person, lifting plant within safe limits, and the boom-type EWP licence class.
- reg 213: Plant must be maintained, inspected and, if necessary, tested by a competent person, following manufacturer or competent person recommendations; annual inspection applies only if neither is practicable.
- reg 219: Lifting plant must be designed for the load so far as reasonably practicable, with safeguards for alternatives, suitable lifting attachments, and use within safe working limits.
- Schedule 3: High risk work licence classes, including scaffolding, rigging, cranes, hoists, forklift trucks and boom-type EWPs.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Model Code of Practice: Elevating work platforms
Edition: December 2025 version
Model Code of Practice for elevating work platforms, December 2025. NSW approved its own edition from 10 July 2026.
Guidance on Major Inspections - for Owners and Service Providers
Edition: Version 2, September 2026
Industry guidance on AS 2550.10:2025 inspections and major inspections, including what owners keep. Guidance, not law.
- Part 1: General AS 2550.10:2025 requirements for MEWP inspection, maintenance and the major inspection process.
- Part 2: Information for owners, including WHS duties, maintenance records and information to support a major inspection.
Personal equipment for work at height, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance
Edition: AS/NZS 1891.4:2025
Inspection, maintenance and storage of the harness and lanyard worn in the basket.
- Section 8: Traceability, inspection, maintenance and storage of height safety equipment.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Cranes, hoists and winches, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platforms
Edition: AS/NZS 1418.10:2025
Design standard for mobile elevating work platforms, the source of the rated capacity and SWL plate data.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
- Model WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
- Model Work Health and Safety Act (Safe Work Australia)
- AS 2550 series, Cranes, hoists and winches, safe use (Standards Australia listing)
MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.
The numbers behind this cherry picker pre-start checklist
The pages below gather the figures behind this kind of check. Each figure on them carries its source and date, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without chasing the original report.
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Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack cherry picker pre-start checklist contains 25 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist.
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Machine details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (telescopic boom, articulated boom, trailer-mounted), hour meter reading.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Operator details: name, licence or competency number (EWP class WP if applicable), date, site/location.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Base and chassis: tyres (condition, inflation), wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers (pads, pins, cylinders), levelling indicators, chassis for cracks or damage.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Boom: telescopic or articulated boom sections (cracks, dents, corrosion), pivot pins (wear, lubrication), boom cylinders (leaks, condition), boom rest.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Basket / platform: floor condition, guardrails and mid-rails, toe boards, entry gate or chain, tool tray attachment points, harness anchor points.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Controls - ground level: ground control station, drive controls, boom slew/raise/lower/extend/retract, emergency stop, function labels legible.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
About the author
Co-Founder & Commercial Director
Jarrod has spent over a decade in technology consulting and asset management, including roles at Accenture (mining and heavy industry) and CGI as an Asset Management Consultant. He co-founded MapTrack and built and scaled its original platform, then rebuilt it with Lachlan and Alex from thousands of customer conversations and 300+ user research sessions with field teams. His consulting background gives him deep insight into the operational and compliance challenges facing asset-intensive Australian businesses.
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