Every shift on a mobile elevating work platform should begin the same way: with a pre-start inspection carried out by the operator. Under AS 2550.10 the daily pre-start is the first line of defence in the inspection hierarchy, sitting beneath routine and periodic inspections. It is quick, it is the operator's responsibility, and it is where most in-service faults are caught before they become incidents.
Why the pre-start exists
The pre-start check is designed to catch the things that change between one use and the next — a hose that has started weeping overnight, a control that no longer responds cleanly, damage picked up in transport, or a safety device that has been knocked out of adjustment. A machine that passed its periodic inspection months ago can still develop a fault the morning you go to use it.
It is a visual and functional check, not a workshop procedure. The point is for a competent operator to confirm the machine is safe to put to work today, in the conditions it will actually work in.
The walk-around: what to look at and why
A thorough visual inspection before start-up covers:
- Structure — the boom, chassis, platform and guardrails for cracks, dents, deformation or signs of a recent knock.
- Hydraulics — hoses, fittings and cylinders for leaks, chafing or damage, because a hydraulic failure at height is a serious hazard.
- Tyres, tracks and wheels — condition and inflation, which affect stability on the ground.
- Fluid levels — engine oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid and fuel or charge as applicable.
- Decals and capacity plates — the safe working load and warning markings must be present and legible.
- Fall-protection anchor points and the condition of the platform gate and toe boards.
- Loose items, damage or contamination that could interfere with safe operation.
The functional test: proving it works
The second half of a pre-start is a functional test with no load and in a clear area. This confirms the machine does what the controls ask and, just as importantly, that its safety systems still intervene when they should.
- Ground controls, including the ability to override the platform controls in an emergency.
- Platform controls through their full range of motion for smoothness, correct direction and any unexpected drift.
- The emergency lowering function, so you know the machine can be brought down if primary power is lost.
- Interlocks, alarms, tilt and overload systems where fitted, confirming they respond as intended.
- The emergency stop.
The logbook entry
A pre-start is only complete when it is recorded. Every machine should carry a logbook, and the pre-start entry — date, operator, the check itself and any defects noted — becomes part of the machine's continuous history.
That record matters beyond the day it is written. A defect logged at pre-start is the mechanism that stops an unsafe machine being used and triggers repair. Over time, the accumulated pre-start entries also help a competent person spot a recurring issue and feed it into the routine and periodic inspection process.
How the pre-start fits the wider regime
The daily pre-start does not replace the deeper inspections — it complements them. AS 2550.10 sets a tiered regime: operator pre-start checks before every use, routine inspection and maintenance at no more than three-monthly intervals, periodic inspection by a competent person at no more than twelve-monthly intervals, and the major inspection falling due at 5 or 10 years depending on the equipment class. Each tier catches different things.
The pre-start finds day-to-day faults; the periodic inspection is a deeper professional assessment; the major inspection re-verifies the structure. A defect a pre-start cannot resolve should be escalated to a competent person or a qualified inspection provider rather than worked around. If in doubt, take the machine out of service and call 0416 689 689 rather than run it.
This guide is general information prepared by EWP Australia and is grounded in publicly available Australian Standards and Safe Work Australia material. It is not a substitute for the current published edition of the relevant standard or for site-specific engineering advice. Always work from the current standard and consult a competent person for your specific equipment and application.