Free cherry picker pre-start checklist
Free cherry picker / EWP pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers boom, basket, controls, hydraulics, outriggers and emergency descent. Download free.
Updated 3 May 2026
Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist
EWP / cherry picker daily pre-start inspection: complete before first use each shift
Boom and Knuckle
Basket / Platform
Hydraulic System
Outriggers / Stabilisers
Controls (Ground and Platform)
Safety Devices
Emergency Descent
Operator Sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date & time
Supervisor / Reviewer Acknowledgement
Signature
Print name
Date
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Key takeaways
- The MapTrack cherry picker pre-start checklist contains 25 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Boom and Knuckle, Basket / Platform, Hydraulic System, Outriggers / Stabilisers, Controls (Ground and Platform), Safety Devices, Emergency Descent.
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is a cherry picker pre-start checklist?
A cherry picker pre-start checklist is a daily inspection form used to verify that a cherry picker, also known as a boom-type elevated work platform (EWP), is safe and operational before workers are elevated. Cherry pickers are used across construction, maintenance, telecommunications, arboriculture and events to provide temporary access at height. The pre-start checklist prompts the operator to systematically inspect the base and chassis (tyres, wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers, levelling indicators), the boom (telescopic or articulated sections, pivot pins, boom cylinder condition), the basket or platform (floor condition, guardrails, toe boards, gate or chain, tool trays), controls at both ground and basket level (drive, boom slew, boom extend/retract, boom raise/lower, emergency stop), the hydraulic system (hoses, fittings, cylinders, fluid level, no leaks), the emergency descent system (manual lowering valve, auxiliary power unit), and safety markings (SWL plate legible, rated capacity and reach diagram, warning decals). Completing this checklist before each use ensures that potential faults, such as hydraulic leaks, faulty emergency descent, damaged guardrails or non-functional controls, are identified before workers are elevated, reducing the risk of falls from height, mechanical failure and non-compliance with WHS regulations.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Benefits of using this cherry picker pre-start checklist
- Fall prevention: identify faults in guardrails, harness anchor points, controls and emergency descent before workers are elevated in the basket.
- Emergency descent verification: confirm the manual lowering system and auxiliary power unit are functional before elevated work begins.
- WHS compliance: meet workplace health and safety obligations for daily pre-use inspections of elevated work platforms.
- Defect detection: catch hydraulic leaks, boom section damage, outrigger faults and control malfunctions before they cause an incident.
- Operator accountability: the signed checklist confirms the operator has personally inspected the cherry picker and deemed it safe for use.
- Audit trail: completed checklists provide documented evidence for safety audits, incident investigations and insurer requirements.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise cherry picker / ewp checklists 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).
- Auto-schedule pre-start forms so operators are prompted before every shift.
- Flag overdue pre-starts on the dashboard so nothing leaves the yard unchecked.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles cherry picker / EWP checklists.
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What to include in a cherry picker pre-start checklist
This cherry picker pre-start checklist covers 12 key areas:
- Machine details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (telescopic boom, articulated boom, trailer-mounted), hour meter reading.
- Operator details: name, licence or competency number (EWP class WP if applicable), date, site/location.
- Base and chassis: tyres (condition, inflation), wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers (pads, pins, cylinders), levelling indicators, chassis for cracks or damage.
- Boom: telescopic or articulated boom sections (cracks, dents, corrosion), pivot pins (wear, lubrication), boom cylinders (leaks, condition), boom rest.
- Basket / platform: floor condition, guardrails and mid-rails, toe boards, entry gate or chain, tool tray attachment points, harness anchor points.
- Controls - ground level: ground control station, drive controls, boom slew/raise/lower/extend/retract, emergency stop, function labels legible.
- Controls - basket level: platform control station, all functions operational, emergency stop, override key (if applicable).
- Hydraulics: hoses, fittings, cylinders, hydraulic fluid level, no leaks under the machine.
- Emergency descent: manual lowering valve operation, auxiliary power unit (if fitted), emergency descent procedure card present.
- Safety markings: SWL plate legible, rated capacity and reach diagram displayed, warning decals intact.
- Engine or power source: oil, coolant, fuel (diesel) or battery charge (electric), belts, air filter.
- Overall result, defect table, operator and supervisor sign-off.
How to use this cherry picker pre-start checklist
- Record the machine and operator details at the top of the checklist, including the hour meter reading and EWP type.: Enter the machine asset ID, make, model, serial number, current hour meter reading, EWP type (telescopic boom, articulated boom or trailer-mounted) and the site location. Record the operator name, EWP licence or competency number (WP class if boom length is 11 metres or more) and the date. This information links the inspection to a specific machine and operator for audit traceability and incident investigation records.
- Walk around the cherry picker and inspect the base, chassis, outriggers, boom sections, basket, guardrails and all external components. Check underneath for hydraulic leaks.: Start at the base and work upward. Check tyres for condition, inflation and wheel nut tightness. Inspect outrigger or stabiliser legs, pads and pins for cracks, deformation or missing retaining clips. Check each boom section for dents, corrosion, cracks or paint blistering that could indicate structural fatigue. Inspect pivot pins for wear and adequate lubrication. Check the basket floor for corrosion, guardrails and mid-rails for secure mounting, toe boards for presence and the entry gate or chain for proper closure. Look underneath for fresh hydraulic fluid pools.
- Test ground-level controls: drive, boom slew, raise, lower, extend, retract and emergency stop. Then test basket-level controls for the same functions.: At the ground control station, test each function individually: drive forward and reverse, boom slew left and right, boom raise and lower, boom extend and retract. Confirm smooth, proportional response with no jerking, hesitation or unusual noise. Press the emergency stop and confirm all functions cease immediately. Release the emergency stop and verify the machine resumes normal operation. Then enter the basket and test all the same functions from the basket-level control station. Verify the emergency stop at basket level also works correctly.
- Test the emergency descent system: operate the manual lowering valve and confirm the basket can be lowered from ground level in an emergency.: With the basket elevated to a moderate height, operate the manual lowering valve from the ground-level station. Confirm the basket lowers smoothly at a controlled rate. This is a critical safety check, as the manual lowering system is the rescue method if the primary controls fail while workers are elevated. If an auxiliary power unit is fitted, test that it starts and powers the boom. Check that the emergency descent procedure card is displayed at the ground control station and is legible.
- If any item fails, tag the machine out of service and do not elevate workers until the defect is rectified. Report per your site procedures.: Attach an out-of-service tag to the ground control station and the basket controls. Record the failed item in the defect section of the checklist with a clear description. Notify the site supervisor and maintenance team immediately. The cherry picker must not be used to elevate workers until the defect is repaired, reinspected and cleared by a competent person. Failed emergency descent systems, guardrail damage and hydraulic leaks are particularly critical and must not be operated under any circumstances.
- Sign and date the checklist. Ensure the SWL plate and rated capacity diagram are legible before commencing work.: The operator signs to confirm they have completed the inspection and are satisfied the machine is safe. Verify the SWL (safe working load) plate is legible and correctly displayed. Check the rated capacity and reach diagram is present and matches the machine configuration. If a supervisor countersignature is required, obtain it before elevating workers. File the form in the machine logbook or submit digitally through MapTrack for automatic attachment to the 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 cherry picker pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Complete a cherry picker pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the machine 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 and regulators typically require periodic inspections (e.g. quarterly, annually and major inspections at set intervals such as every 10 years). Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time the cherry picker is used.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- WHS Act 2011 (Section 19 - Primary duty of care)
- WHS Regulations 2011 (Part 5.1, Division 6 - Plant that lifts or suspends persons)
- AS 1418.10 (Elevating work platforms)
- AS/NZS 1891.4 (Industrial fall-arrest systems)
Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist preview
The numbers behind this cherry picker pre-start checklist
Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.
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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;">Cherry Picker 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;">Machine details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, type (telescopic boom, articulated boom, trailer-mounted), hour meter reading.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Operator details: name, licence or competency number (EWP class WP if applicable), date, site/location.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Base and chassis: tyres (condition, inflation), wheel nuts, outriggers or stabilisers (pads, pins, cylinders), levelling indicators, chassis for cracks or damage.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Boom: telescopic or articulated boom sections (cracks, dents, corrosion), pivot pins (wear, lubrication), boom cylinders (leaks, condition), boom rest.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Basket / platform: floor condition, guardrails and mid-rails, toe boards, entry gate or chain, tool tray attachment points, harness anchor points.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Controls - ground level: ground control station, drive controls, boom slew/raise/lower/extend/retract, emergency stop, function labels legible.</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/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Cherry Picker 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 cherry picker pre-start checklist contains 25 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Cherry Picker Pre-Start Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/cherry-picker-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/cherry-picker-pre-start-checklist.
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