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Free EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist
Free EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers controls, emergency descent, harness points, outriggers and structural checks. Download free.
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32 checks · 9 sections · Sign-off
32 checks
The fields in the printable form, in a view that fits your screen.
- Asset ID
- Make / model
- Serial number
- Type
- Operator name
- Licence / ticket #
- Date
- Site / location
Pre-Operational Checks
Structural
Controls
Hydraulics
Electrical
Tyres / Wheels or Tracks
Outriggers / Stabilisers
Safety Equipment
Engine / Power
(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 EWP / boom lift pre-start inspection before using this elevated work platform. 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. I understand that failure to complete a pre-start check or to report defects may breach company policy and WHS obligations.
Operator Sign-off
Signature · Print name · Date & time
Supervisor / Reviewer Acknowledgement
Signature · Print name · Date
The MapTrack EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist contains 32 checks across 9 sections.
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General guidance only. Check the form against your equipment manual, site procedures and local requirements before using it.
Short answer
An EWP or boom lift pre-start checklist records an operator's check of an elevating work platform before use: structure, guardrails, ground and platform controls, emergency stop and descent, hydraulics, alarms, outriggers, tyres and harness anchor points. Operators complete it before each use or shift, following the manufacturer's inspection recommendations. AS 2550.10:2025 Section 6 covers MEWP maintenance and inspection, and regulation 213 covers competent person inspection of plant.
Checked against AS 2550.10:2025 on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist contains 32 checks across 9 sections. Sections covered: Pre-Operational Checks, Structural, Controls, Hydraulics, Electrical, Tyres / Wheels or Tracks, Outriggers / Stabilisers, Safety Equipment, Engine / Power.
- Model WHS regulation 213 sets no fixed daily interval, but inspection by a competent person must follow the manufacturer's recommendations, including its pre-start checks.
- Tag out an EWP that fails an emergency stop, emergency descent, tilt alarm or guardrail check, and do not use it until repaired.
- Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations includes a high risk work licence class for boom-type EWPs. Check whether the unit needs one and sight it.
- Remove from service any harness or lanyard that has arrested a fall, for destruction or return to the manufacturer.
- Record each unit's next major inspection date under AS 2550.10:2025, using the EWPA guidance to plan it.
What is an EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist?
An EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist (or EWP daily inspection) is a structured form used to inspect an elevated work platform, such as a boom lift, scissor lift or spider lift, before it is operated. It helps operators and supervisors confirm the EWP is safe and fit for use, reducing the risk of falls, mechanical failures and non-compliance. The checklist should be completed before each use or at the start of each shift and is a preventive measure to catch problems, such as faulty emergency descent, damaged guardrails or hydraulic leaks, before they put workers at risk. In Australia, the WHS Regulations set the duty to inspect and maintain plant; AS 2550.10:2025 is the technical standard for EWP safe use, inspection and maintenance, and AS/NZS 1418.10 covers design. Working from heights on a defective EWP carries severe injury and fatality risk. Harness anchor points must also comply with AS/NZS 1891 (Personal equipment for work at height). Under the WHS Act 2011, the PCBU must ensure that plant used at a workplace is without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. Chapter 5 of the WHS Regulations prescribes duties for managing risks associated with plant, including maintenance and inspection by a competent person (regulation 213). Boom lifts present equipment-specific hazards such as platform tip-over from overloading or uneven ground, catapult effect during boom retraction on articulating units, electrocution from contact with overhead power lines and entrapment of the operator between the platform and overhead structures. A documented pre-start inspection is the standard evidence of compliance for audits, insurance and incident investigations.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Doing pre-starts on boom lifts across sites? See construction equipment tracking for each lift's checks, defects and major inspection dates.
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Benefits of using this EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist
- Worker safety at height: identify faults in harness points, guardrails, controls and emergency descent before workers are elevated.
- Defects before use: uncover structural, hydraulic or electrical problems that could cause an incident.
- Compliance: meet WHS obligations and demonstrate due diligence for EWP operation.
- Preventive maintenance: keep EWPs in good working order and reduce unexpected breakdowns.
- Consistency and accountability: a standardised approach so critical safety checks aren't missed.
- Recordkeeping: maintain a verifiable history of pre-start inspections for audits and investigations.
What to include in an EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist
- EWP details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (boom/scissor/spider).
- Operator details: name, licence/ticket number, date.
- Pre-operational checks: operator's manual available, rated capacity known, exclusion zone established.
- Structural: boom sections, turntable, platform/basket, guardrails, toe boards, gate/chain.
- Controls: ground controls, platform controls, emergency stop, emergency descent, function labels legible.
- Hydraulics: cylinders, hoses, fittings - no leaks.
- Electrical: battery charge, warning lights, alarms (motion/tilt).
- Tyres/wheels or tracks: condition, pressure, wheel nuts.
- Outriggers/stabilisers: pads, pins, operation.
- Safety equipment: harness anchor points, lanyard attachment, wind speed indicator (if fitted).
- Engine/power: oil, coolant, fuel, belts.
- Overall result, defects table, operator and supervisor sign-off.
How to use this EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist
Complete EWP and operator details at the top of the checklist, including the EWP type (boom, scissor or spider).
Record the EWP asset ID, make and model, serial number, SWL and current hour meter. Enter your name, HRWL or competency details, site location and the date and time of the inspection.
Walk around the EWP and inspect each item. Mark Pass or Fail (and add notes if needed).
Check boom sections for cracks or dents, inspect hydraulic hoses and cylinders for leaks, verify outrigger pads are undamaged, and confirm the platform guardrails, toeboards and gate latch are secure and intact.
Test ground controls and platform controls, including emergency stop and emergency descent, before elevating.
Activate each emergency stop button to confirm it cuts all functions immediately. Test the emergency descent from the ground control panel to verify the platform lowers smoothly without power to the main system.
If any item fails, note it and do not operate the EWP until it is rectified or approved. Report defects per your procedures.
Tag the EWP out of service for critical defects such as failed emergency descent, damaged guardrails or faulty harness anchor points. No person should be elevated on a defective EWP under any circumstances.
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. In MapTrack, submit the completed inspection to link it to the EWP asset record automatically.
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How often should you complete this checklist?
Complete an EWP / boom lift pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the EWP 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 typically recommend, and site rules may require, periodic inspections (e.g. quarterly, annually and major inspections at set intervals). Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time the EWP is used.
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Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.
An EWP pre-start check should cover structural items (boom sections, platform/basket, guardrails, toe boards), controls (ground controls, platform controls, emergency stop, emergency descent), hydraulics (cylinders, hoses, fittings), electrical (battery, warning lights, motion/tilt alarms), outriggers or stabilisers, safety equipment (harness anchor points, lanyard attachment), tyres/wheels or tracks, and engine or power source. Complete the check before each use or at the start of each shift.
Link to this answerEWPs should receive a pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. In addition, manufacturers typically recommend periodic inspections (e.g. quarterly or annually) by a competent person. AS 2550.10:2025 also calls for a major inspection after 10 years of service and every 5 years after that, according to EWPA guidance on the standard. The Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice brings it forward when the manufacturer recommends it, after damage or modification that could affect critical components or safety, or when a competent person recommends it after other inspections. Your jurisdiction, company policy or site requirements may specify additional frequencies. Always follow the most stringent requirement.
Link to this answerIn Australia, operators of boom-type elevating work platforms with a boom length of 11 metres or more require a High Risk Work Licence (EWP class WP). For EWPs under 11 metres or scissor lifts, a licence may not be required by law, but operators must still be trained and deemed competent. Requirements vary by state and territory, check your local WHS regulations and always verify operator competency before allowing use.
Link to this answerThe key references are AS 2550.10:2025 (safe use of mobile elevating work platforms, including maintenance and inspection), AS/NZS 1418.10 (design, manufacture and testing) and AS/NZS 1891 for harness anchor points; the WHS Regulations set the legal duties for plant and equipment. The Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice for elevating work platforms (December 2025) gives practical guidance on inspection types and intervals, and the Code of Practice for managing the risk of falls covers work at height.
Link to this answerYes, this EWP boom lift 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 platformsMaintenance, inspection and repair of MEWPs, and their selection with related controls. | AS 2550.10:2025 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Model Code of Practice: Elevating work platformsModel Code of Practice on elevating work platforms (December 2025). NSW approved its own edition from 10 July 2026. | December 2025 version | Whole instrument | Safe Work Australia |
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsCompetent person inspection and maintenance of plant, and the high risk work licence classes, including boom-type EWPs. | 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) |
| Cranes, hoists and winches, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platformsThe design standard for MEWPs, including the information for use that sets the manufacturer's pre-start items. | AS/NZS 1418.10:2025 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Guidance on Major Inspections - for Owners and Service ProvidersIndustry guidance (Version 2, September 2026) on major inspections under AS 2550.10:2025. Not law. | Version 2, September 2026 | Whole instrument | Elevating Work Platform Association of Australia (EWPA) |
| Personal equipment for work at height, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenanceSelecting anchors, and inspecting and maintaining height safety equipment such as harnesses and lanyards. | AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platforms
Edition: AS 2550.10:2025
Maintenance, inspection and repair of MEWPs, and their selection with related controls.
- Section 6: Maintenance, inspection and repair of mobile elevating work platforms.
- Section 3: Selection of mobile elevating work platforms and related control measures.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Model Code of Practice: Elevating work platforms
Edition: December 2025 version
Model Code of Practice on elevating work platforms (December 2025). NSW approved its own edition from 10 July 2026.
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)
Competent person inspection and maintenance of plant, and the high risk work licence classes, including boom-type EWPs.
- 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.
- 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)
Cranes, hoists and winches, Part 10: Mobile elevating work platforms
Edition: AS/NZS 1418.10:2025
The design standard for MEWPs, including the information for use that sets the manufacturer's pre-start items.
- Section 4: Information for use to be provided with mobile elevating work platforms.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Guidance on Major Inspections - for Owners and Service Providers
Edition: Version 2, September 2026
Industry guidance (Version 2, September 2026) on major inspections under AS 2550.10:2025. Not law.
Personal equipment for work at height, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance
Edition: AS/NZS 1891.4:2025
Selecting anchors, and inspecting and maintaining height safety equipment such as harnesses and lanyards.
- Section 3: Selection and use of anchors for height safety systems.
- Section 8: Traceability, inspection, maintenance and storage of height safety equipment.
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)
- 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.
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The MapTrack EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist contains 32 checks across 9 sections.
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- MapTrack. (2026). EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/ewp-boom-lift-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;">EWP / boom lift 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;">EWP details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (boom/scissor/spider).</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Operator details: name, licence/ticket number, date.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Pre-operational checks: operator's manual available, rated capacity known, exclusion zone established.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Structural: boom sections, turntable, platform/basket, guardrails, toe boards, gate/chain.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Controls: ground controls, platform controls, emergency stop, emergency descent, function labels legible.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Hydraulics: cylinders, hoses, fittings - no leaks.</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/ewp-boom-lift-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">EWP / boom lift pre-start checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
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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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