EWP Pre-Use Daily CheckElevating Work Platform · A4 laminate · operator signs before first use each day

Why this exists. EWPs kill people. Almost every coroner's report cites "operator skipped pre-start check" as a contributing factor. This is the 4-minute walk-around that you do before you put a student or contractor in the basket. Daniel does it every time, every day, regardless of whether the same machine was checked yesterday.

Make / model

Asset / hire number

Hire company

Date

Operator (ticket #)

Production / area of work

1 · Battery / fuel + charge state

Item	Pass / Fail / N/A	Notes
Battery state of charge ≥ 80% (or fuel ≥ 1/2 tank)
Charger disconnected + stowed (battery EWP)
Fuel cap secure, no leaks visible (diesel/LPG EWP)
Battery terminals clean, no corrosion

2 · Hydraulics + outriggers / levellers

Item	Pass / Fail / N/A	Notes
No visible hydraulic leaks (look under the chassis + pivot points)
Hose covers intact, no abrasion or bulging
Outriggers deploy fully + lock + indicator lights on (boom)
Levellers / pothole-protection deploy correctly (scissor)
Ground is firm, level, no slope > manufacturer-rated tilt

3 · Basket / platform integrity

Item	Pass / Fail / N/A	Notes
Hand-rails secure, full-height, no missing pins or bolts
Gate / chain in place + closes positively
Floor of basket has no debris, no missing anti-slip
Tool tray secure (loose tools = falling objects)
Capacity placard legible — basket rating posted + understood

4 · Harness + lanyard (boom EWP only)

Boom EWPs only. Scissor lifts do not require a harness inside an intact basket (operator on rated platform behind rails) — but rope-grab + roof anchor must be used if you exit a scissor onto a separate platform.

Item	Pass / Fail / N/A	Notes
Harness in-tag-date (annual inspection certificate visible)
Webbing intact: no cuts, fraying, mould, UV bleaching
D-ring + buckles operate smoothly + lock positively
Lanyard length ≤ basket-rail height (restrain = no fall, not arrest after fall)
Anchor point inside basket is engineer-marked / rated

5 · Function test (engine on, no load)

Item	Pass / Fail / N/A	Notes
Lift up + lower from ground control
Lift up + lower from basket control
Drive forward + reverse + steer left + right
Emergency stop (E-stop) — test on basket + ground
Tilt alarm sounds when artificially tilted (if accessible)
Horn / movement alarm audible across the stage
Manual descent valve / lever location known + tested

6 · Documentation

EWP licence sighted + in-date (operator)
Logbook entry made for previous use (any defect raised?)
Annual major inspection certificate sighted (machine)
SWMS for this rig task signed by all crew using basket
Rescue plan briefed (how do we get the operator down if stuck?)

If any item fails Do not put a person in the basket. Tag the machine "DO NOT USE — see [your name], [phone]". Call the hire company. The hire company replaces the machine or sends a tech. Delaying this conversation costs an hour; ignoring it costs a student.

Sign-off

Operator name (ticket #)		Signature
Production Manager / SM witness		Signature
Time of check		Result