Free Scissor Lift Pre-Start Checklist
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This free scissor lift pre-start checklist covers all daily inspection items required before operating an electric or engine-powered scissor lift on Australian work sites. The two-page A4 form covers platform and guardrails, ground-level controls, platform controls, safety devices, wheels and castors, and battery or fuel systems - 20+ check items in total. Suitable for slab scissor lifts, rough-terrain scissor lifts, and all-electric models used in construction, maintenance, and warehousing.
Last updated: 2026-02-21 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Download the template, open in your browser, fill in the details, then Print → Save as PDF. File one copy per shift with your plant records or EWP register.
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ 20+ scissor lift–specific check items across 6 sections
- ✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack
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See the first part of the checklist below. Enter your email above to download the full template (PDF-ready).
What is a scissor lift pre-start check?
A scissor lift pre-start check is a documented inspection completed by the operator before the elevated work platform (EWP) is powered on or elevated at the beginning of each shift. It systematically checks the mechanical and electrical condition, safety systems, platform integrity, and controls to confirm the scissor lift is fit for operation at height. Pre-start inspections are required under the Australian Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations for plant and equipment, and specifically under the EWP industry code of practice and AS 2550 series standards. Scissor lifts are regularly used in situations where a fall from height or structural failure would be fatal, making the pre-start the critical first control in the safe work method statement (SWMS) for working at heights.
Benefits of scissor lift pre-start checks
- Identify faults before operation: catch guardrail damage, control failures, low battery, or tilt sensor faults before they create a fall risk at height.
- WHS compliance: demonstrate duty of care and meet work health and safety obligations under Australian legislation, including the Code of Practice for Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces.
- Reduced downtime: prevent unexpected failures mid-task by identifying battery, hydraulic, or control issues at the start of shift.
- Insurance and warranty protection: documented pre-starts support insurance claims and hire equipment damage assessments.
- Operator accountability: signed records confirm who inspected and operated the scissor lift each shift, and that the required HRWL was held.
- Maintenance planning: trend data from pre-starts helps schedule servicing and battery replacement before failures occur.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- 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.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital pre-starts in MapTrack.
What to include in a scissor lift pre-start checklist
Our free scissor lift pre-start checklist includes:
- Platform & Guardrails: platform deck condition (cracks, deformation), guardrail top rail and midrail condition and secure attachment, toeboard condition, entry gate/chain closure and latch, extension deck condition and locking pins (if fitted), fall arrest anchor point condition.
- Controls (Ground): ground-level emergency stop button function, control select key switch operation, ground override/lowering controls, emergency lowering function, general control panel condition.
- Controls (Platform): platform control box condition (no damage or water ingress), raise and lower function, drive forward and reverse, steer (electric-drive models), horn function, dead-man hold-to-run safety function.
- Safety Devices: tilt/inclination sensor function (alarm or cutout), overload sensor function (if fitted), pothole protection bar condition and deployment, safety arm/prop for scissor stack maintenance, decals and load rating plate legible.
- Wheels & Castors: wheel condition (cuts, chunking, flat spots), wheel bearing condition (no play or noise), non-marking tyre condition (where required), drive wheel motor condition, castor swivel (non-drive models).
- Battery / Fuel & Drive: battery state of charge indicator, battery electrolyte level (flooded lead-acid), battery terminal connections and no corrosion, charger disconnected before operation (electric), OR fuel level, engine oil, coolant level (engine-powered), no hydraulic leaks at cylinders or hoses, hydraulic oil level.
How to conduct a scissor lift pre-start check
- Walk-around inspection (machine off): inspect the platform deck, guardrails, toeboards, and gate. Check wheels, hydraulic hoses, and scissor arms for visible damage or fluid leaks. Confirm the machine is on level ground.
- Check battery or fuel (as applicable): check battery charge indicator and confirm charger is disconnected before operation (electric models). Check fuel level and engine oil (engine-powered models). Check hydraulic oil level.
- Test ground controls: turn on power and test the ground-level emergency stop and override function. Confirm control select switch operates correctly.
- Test platform controls: enter the platform and test raise, lower, drive, and horn functions at ground level before elevating. Confirm dead-man hold-to-run function is active.
- Test safety devices: confirm tilt sensor activates at the correct angle (do not intentionally tilt the machine excessively). Check pothole protection bars deploy correctly when the platform is raised.
- Elevate to operating height: raise the platform to working height and confirm smooth operation, no unusual sounds from scissor arms or hydraulics, and platform is level.
- Lower and complete the form: lower the platform fully. Mark P (pass), F (fail), or N/A for every item on the form. Record notes for any fail. Sign and retain the form. Do not operate if any fail item has not been rectified or escalated to the supervisor.
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Back to download formHow often should scissor lift pre-starts be completed?
A scissor lift pre-start check must be completed before first use at the start of each shift or each working day. If multiple operators use the same machine across shifts, each operator must complete their own inspection before taking control. For hire equipment, an inspection should also be conducted at delivery and return to the hire company. In addition to daily pre-starts, follow the manufacturer's scheduled service intervals (typically every 150–250 hours, or quarterly for low-use machines) and comply with the annual or biennial certification requirements for EWPs under Australian standards. Battery maintenance for electric models, including watering of flooded lead-acid batteries - should be completed at the intervals specified in the battery manufacturer's instructions.
Frequently asked questions
- What should a scissor lift pre-start check include?
- A scissor lift pre-start should cover: platform deck condition, guardrails, midrails, and toeboard security, gate or chain closure, extension deck condition (if fitted), ground-level controls (emergency stop, override functions), platform controls (raise/lower, drive, horn, emergency lowering), fall arrest anchor points, tilt sensor and overload sensor function, wheels and castors (condition, locking brakes), battery state of charge and electrolyte level (electric models), fuel and engine condition (engine models), and a visual check for hydraulic leaks or structural damage to the scissor arms.
- How often should a scissor lift pre-start be completed?
- A pre-start check should be completed at the start of every shift or before first use each day. Scissor lifts used across multiple shifts require each operator to complete their own pre-start before taking control. For hire equipment, an inspection should also occur at delivery and return. The AS 2550 series and manufacturer maintenance schedules specify additional periodic service intervals. Always follow the most stringent requirement.
- Who can operate a scissor lift?
- In Australia, operating a scissor lift requires a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL), specifically a WP (Boom-type Elevated Work Platform) or WS (Vehicle-mounted Elevated Work Platform) licence depending on the type of EWP and height. Scissor lifts over 11 metres boom height require the WP licence. Below 11 metres, competency-based training and a certificate of competency issued by a registered training organisation (RTO) is generally accepted, but check your state/territory WHS regulations as requirements vary.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the template for free. Open the HTML file and use Print → Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital pre-starts linked to each scissor lift with automatic fault alerts and a full inspection history, MapTrack can help.
Need digital pre-starts with automatic fault alerts?
Register every scissor lift in MapTrack. Complete pre-starts on mobile, get automatic alerts when faults are identified, and maintain a full inspection history on every asset.