Free equipment pre-start checklist
Free equipment pre-start checklist (printable 32-point PDF). Guards, controls, fluids, safety devices and documentation before use. Download free.
Updated 28 Sept 2026
Equipment Pre-Start Checklist
Daily inspection record: complete before first use
Guards & Safety
Controls & Hydraulics
Engine & Fluids
Attachments & Underbody
Documentation & Compliance
Operator Sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date & time
Supervisor / Reviewer Acknowledgement
Signature
Print name
Date
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Short answer
An equipment pre-start checklist records the operator's check of any item of plant before use: guards and safety devices, controls and hydraulics, engine and fluids, attachments and documentation, with defects and sign-off. Operators complete it before each use or shift, as site practice. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations separately requires plant maintenance and inspection by a competent person; a pre-start does not replace that.
Checked against Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack equipment pre-start checklist contains 32 checks across 5 sections. Sections covered: Guards & Safety, Controls & Hydraulics, Engine & Fluids, Attachments & Underbody, Documentation & Compliance.
- A check of guards, controls, hydraulics, fluids, attachments and paperwork before an item of plant is used, for any machine that has no checklist of its own.
- A failed item means the machine is not used until it is fixed or approved, and a critical safety defect is tagged out of service.
- Do a fresh check when the machine has been sitting unused, has been repaired or was last used by another operator.
- This check does not replace the maintenance, inspection and, where needed, testing by a competent person that regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations requires.
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is an equipment pre-start checklist?
An equipment pre-start checklist is a structured list of tasks and inspections to perform before any item of plant or equipment is used on site. It helps operators and supervisors confirm the asset is safe and fit for use, reducing the risk of accidents, breakdowns and non-compliance. Under section 19 of the WHS Act, as enacted in each state and territory except Victoria, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision and maintenance of safe plant. A pre-start checklist is a common way of meeting this obligation. The checklist should be completed daily or before each use and is a preventive measure to catch problems such as fluid leaks, worn guards, faulty controls or missing safety devices before they escalate into costly repairs, downtime or safety incidents. Equipment pre-start checklists can be used as a universal template for any item of plant that does not have a more specific checklist available.
Pre-start inspections are operationally critical because they form the first line of defence against equipment-related incidents. Separately, regulation 213 of the WHS Regulations requires the person with management or control of plant to ensure its maintenance, inspection and, if necessary, testing are carried out by a competent person; a pre-start check does not replace that. The AS/NZS 4024 series (Safety of machinery) sets design requirements for guards and emergency stops, and guards and the emergency stop are among the first items on this checklist. Failure to conduct pre-start checks exposes operators to serious injury, exposes the PCBU to enforcement action including improvement notices under section 191 and prohibition notices under section 195 of the WHS Act, and can result in insurance claims being denied where there is no documented evidence of routine inspection. For organisations managing mixed fleets of plant and equipment, a generic pre-start checklist provides a baseline safety control that can be adapted to any asset type not covered by a more specific form.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
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Benefits of using this equipment pre-start checklist
- Fewer financial losses: spot minor issues before they become costly repairs or downtime.
- Defects before use: uncover problems that could cause damage or injury when the equipment is started or operated.
- Compliance: meet regulatory and organisational requirements and demonstrate due diligence.
- Preventive maintenance: keep plant and equipment in good order and reduce unexpected failures.
- Consistency and accountability: a standardised approach so important checks aren't missed.
- Recordkeeping: maintain a record of pre-starts for maintenance history and audits.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move your checklists from paper to MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
- Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
- Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
- Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
- Make the pre-start form required when a machine is checked out to an operator.
- Record who did each pre-start and when, and where if you turn location capture on.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
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What to include in an equipment pre-start checklist
This equipment pre-start checklist covers 8 key areas:
- Asset details: asset/equipment ID, meter/hours, make/model, date, operator name and site/location.
- Guards and safety: guards in place, decals, ROPS/FOPS, seatbelt, kill switch, fire extinguisher, first aid.
- Controls and hydraulics: steering, brakes, hoses, oil level, levers, lights, horn.
- Engine and fluids: oil, coolant, fuel, leaks, exhaust, battery, belts, air filter.
- Attachments and underbody: attachment secure, underbody, tyres/tracks.
- Documentation and compliance: registration, inspection, operator competency, keys.
- Declaration: confirmation that the check was completed, defects reported and equipment not used until safe.
- Signature: operator signature, print name and date/time.
How to use this equipment pre-start checklist
- Complete asset and operator details at the top of the checklist.: Record the asset or equipment ID, make and model, and the current meter or hour reading. Enter your name, the site or location and the date of the inspection.
- Go through each item and inspect the corresponding component. Mark Pass or Fail (and add notes if needed).: Start with guards and safety devices, then check controls and hydraulics, engine and fluids, attachments and underbody. Use all senses: look for leaks, listen for abnormal sounds and feel for excessive vibration or play.
- If any item fails, note it and do not use the equipment until it's rectified or approved. Report defects per your procedures.: Record each defect with a description, location on the machine and severity. Tag the equipment out of service for critical safety defects. Notify the supervisor and maintenance team for prompt rectification.
- Sign and date when the check is complete. Keep the form for your records.: Confirm all items are marked Pass, Fail or N/A. Print your name, sign and record the date and time. In MapTrack, submit the inspection to automatically attach it to the equipment asset record.
In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full equipment pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Complete an equipment pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. Many organisations require a daily pre-start for plant and equipment; some require a check before every session or shift change. If the equipment has been sitting unused, has had repairs, or was used by another operator, do a fresh check. In addition to daily pre-starts, follow the manufacturer scheduled service intervals for deeper maintenance and component inspections. Your company policy, site safety management plan or contract may specify additional frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time you use the equipment. In MapTrack, you can schedule pre-starts and periodic service inspections and track compliance across your entire equipment fleet.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsPlant maintenance, inspection and testing by a competent person, and the duty to manage plant risks. | 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 Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)The primary duty of care, including providing and maintaining safe plant, so far as is reasonably practicable. | Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplaceModel Code guidance on how and when plant is inspected, and on maintenance and repair. | November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024) |
| Safe Work Australia |
| Safety of machinery, Part 1604: Design of controls, interlocks and guarding - Emergency stop - Principles for design (ISO 13850:2015 (ED. 3.0) MOD)Design standard for the emergency stop function and devices this checklist tests. | AS/NZS 4024.1604:2019 (incl. Amd 1:2021) |
| Standards Australia and Standards New ZealandSold by the publisher |
| Safety of machinery (AS 4024 and AS/NZS 4024 series)The machinery safety series behind the guarding items; cite the specific part for design work. | Multi-part series; each part has its own edition (for example AS 4024.1100:2019, AS/NZS 4024.1601:2024, AS/NZS 4024.1603:2019) | Whole instrument | Standards Australia and Standards New ZealandSold 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)
Plant maintenance, inspection and testing by a competent person, and the duty to manage plant risks.
- 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 203: A person managing or controlling plant must manage its risks in line with Part 3.1.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)
Edition: Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025)
The primary duty of care, including providing and maintaining safe plant, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- s 19: Primary duty of care: a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others, including safe plant, systems, training and supervision.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
Edition: November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024)
Model Code guidance on how and when plant is inspected, and on maintenance and repair.
- Section 3.5: Inspecting plant: how and when plant should be inspected by a competent person, reflecting reg 213.
- Section 3.6: Maintenance, repair and cleaning of plant, following manufacturer instructions and by competent people.
Safety of machinery, Part 1604: Design of controls, interlocks and guarding - Emergency stop - Principles for design (ISO 13850:2015 (ED. 3.0) MOD)
Edition: AS/NZS 4024.1604:2019 (incl. Amd 1:2021)
Design standard for the emergency stop function and devices this checklist tests.
- 4: Safety requirements for the emergency stop function and emergency stop devices
Standards Australia and Standards New ZealandSold by the publisher
Safety of machinery (AS 4024 and AS/NZS 4024 series)
Edition: Multi-part series; each part has its own edition (for example AS 4024.1100:2019, AS/NZS 4024.1601:2024, AS/NZS 4024.1603:2019)
The machinery safety series behind the guarding items; cite the specific part for design work.
Standards Australia and Standards New ZealandSold 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.
Check the current source
Equipment pre-start checklist preview
The numbers behind this equipment 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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<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;">Equipment 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;">Asset details: asset/equipment ID, meter/hours, make/model, date, operator name and site/location.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Guards and safety: guards in place, decals, ROPS/FOPS, seatbelt, kill switch, fire extinguisher, first aid.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Controls and hydraulics: steering, brakes, hoses, oil level, levers, lights, horn.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine and fluids: oil, coolant, fuel, leaks, exhaust, battery, belts, air filter.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Attachments and underbody: attachment secure, underbody, tyres/tracks.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Documentation and compliance: registration, inspection, operator competency, keys.</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/equipment-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Equipment 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.
Cite this template
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 equipment pre-start checklist contains 32 checks across 5 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Equipment pre-start checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/equipment-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Equipment pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/equipment-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/equipment-pre-start-checklist.
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