Published check sheets
The plant pre-use check set
The pre-use checks an operator does before starting work, written for UK construction plant. One printable sheet per type of machine covers a week of checks. They are the same lists the free register and PlanOps run on a phone.
Excavator
17 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Telehandler
18 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Crane
17 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Forward tipping dumper
34 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Dump truck
15 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Roller
13 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
Mast climbing work platform
12 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
General plant and equipment
8 checks · Download the sheet (PDF)
PUWER doesn’t itself require a daily check or a written record of one. HSE’s construction guidance does recommend daily checks for some plant, such as dumpers and MEWPs, and a written sheet is the easiest way to show the check was done and a defect was reported. A pre-use check is not the PUWER inspection or the LOLER thorough examination: those are separate, by a competent person, and recorded. What the law requires, with the sources.
Excavator
Fluids and engine
- Engine oil level
- Hydraulic oil level
Check the sight glass with the bucket grounded and the boom lowered.
- Coolant level
Check when cool.
- Hydraulic hoses — no leaks, no damage
Undercarriage (tracked only)
- Track tension and condition
Tracks correctly tensioned, pads/shoes intact, no cracking, no missing bolts.
- Sprockets, idlers, rollers — condition
Wheels and tyres (wheeled only)
- Wheels and wheel-nuts secure
- Tyre condition and pressure
Attachments and structure
- Bucket teeth and cutting edge — condition and retention
- Quick-hitch — locked and visually verified
Safety pin engaged and the lock indicator is green (or equivalent). Perform a down-crowd test.
Operator protection and visibility
- ROPS and FOPS — integrity
No cracks, no unauthorised modifications.
- Seat belt is secure and in working order
- Cameras / mirrors for all-round vision
Controls and safety devices
- All controls respond correctly and self-centre
- Service and parking brakes operate correctly
- Reversing alarm audible at 10 m
- Amber beacon flashing and visible
Telehandler
Fluids and engine
- Engine oil level
Check the dipstick with the machine on level ground and the engine stopped for at least two minutes.
- Hydraulic oil level
Check the sight glass with the boom lowered and retracted.
- Coolant level
Check the header tank when cool. Never open a hot radiator cap.
Structure and load-handling
- Wheels and wheel-nuts secure
All nuts present, visually tight, no signs of movement against the hub.
- Tyre condition and pressure
No cuts, bulges, excessive wear. Pressures within manufacturer specification.
- Boom — condition of structure and wear pads
No cracks, no weld damage, no excessive play between boom sections.
- Fork tines — condition and retention
No cracks, no distortion, heels within wear limits, locking pins engaged.
- Outriggers / stabilisers deploy and retract correctly
Controls and safety devices
- General condition of bodywork and cab
- Seat belt is secure and in working order
- Handbrake holds the machine on a slope
- Travel (foot) brake — firm pedal, pulls up straight
- Steering and hydraulic controls respond correctly
- All lights (head, tail, work, brake, indicators) operational
- Cameras / mirrors intact, clean, and fully operational
- Horn operates
- Reversing alarm audible at 10 m
- Amber beacon flashing and visible
Crane
Daily pre-start checks
- Hydraulic oil level
Check the sight glass or dipstick — level within the marked range with the machine on level ground and the rams retracted.
- Hydraulic hoses — no leaks or damage
Walk the length of each hose. Look for weeps, abrasion, cracks, or bulging.
- Seat belt is secure and in working order
- Condition of winch rope
No broken wires, no kinking, no excessive wear. Refer to the rope examination register if in doubt.
- Condition of lifting hook
Hook throat within wear limits, safety latch closes and springs back freely, no cracks or distortion.
- A.S.L.I. (Automatic Safe Load Indicator) in working order
The ASLI must indicate safe, marginal, and overload conditions when tested.
- Cameras / mirrors for all-round vision intact, clean and fully operational
- Flashing warning beacon and audible reversing alarm @ 10 m
Operational checks
- Controls start and return to neutral position
- All controls respond correctly
- General condition of lifting gear to be used
Slings, shackles, chains — check for wear, damage, and that the current thorough examination certificate is in date.
Additional safety checks
- Fire extinguisher available, full, and in date
- General cleanliness of machine (cab, steps, grab rails)
- General cleanliness around machine (no trip hazards, no spills)
- Slinger / banksman in place to assist with lifting
If no lift is planned today, select N/A.
- Tag lines being used to assist control of lift
- Area is clear for lifting and relevant warning signage is placed
Forward tipping dumper
Pre-start and walk-around
- Handbook on machine and current weekly inspection report available
Verify the operator handbook is with the machine and a current weekly inspection report is in date.
- General condition and cleanliness (including cab if fitted)
- No evidence of oil leaks
Check hydraulic cylinders, fittings, valves, axles, wheel hubs and gearbox.
- Wheels and tyres — rims, nut security, tread and sidewalls
Check for bent rims and nut security; worn tread, cuts and damage to side walls and tread.
- Tyre pressures correct (gauge check)
- Hydraulic rams, hoses and pipes — condition and security
- ROPS bar — condition
No cracks, no unauthorised modifications.
- Operator station / cab condition and ROPS/FOPS mounting
- Cab windows — clean and undamaged
- No cracked or unauthorised welding
- Guards, cowlings and fasteners — in place and secure
- Decals, labels and manufacturer's rating plate — legible
- Lights, mirrors, CCTV and other vision aids
Lubricants and fluids
- Engine oil level
- Transmission oil level
- Coolant level
Check when cool. Never open a hot radiator cap.
- Battery — secure, terminals clean, electrolyte (if applicable)
- Brake fluid level
- Hydraulic oil level
- Fuel level and additives (AdBlue etc.)
Other engine checks
- Fan belt deflection within tolerance
- Air filter indicator in normal range
- Visual check of all engine components — no issues
Running checks
- Parking brake function
- Footbrake function
- Steering function
- Skip tipping function
- Transmission function
- All gauges, instruments, horn and hour meter functional
- All lights, indicators and beacon(s) operational
- Heater, defroster and wipers function correctly (if fitted)
- Seat position and seat belt function
- No unusual noises
Listen during all running checks for knocks, grinding, squeals or hissing.
- All warning devices operational
Includes reversing alarm, warning lights, audible and visual alarms.
Dump truck
Visibility and vision aids
- Windscreen — clean and undamaged
- Mirrors — secure, clean, correctly adjusted
- Camera for all-round vision — intact, clean, fully operational
- Wipers and washers function correctly
Running gear
- Tyres — tread, sidewalls, pressures
Check for worn tread, cuts and damage to side walls and tread.
Alarms and lights
- Reversing alarm working and audible at 10 m
- All lights operational (where applicable)
Head, tail, brake, indicators and beacon(s).
Fluids and air
- Engine oil level
- Hydraulic oil level
- Air system — build-up, no leaks, tanks drained
Air pressure builds to working range and holds. Drain condensate from tanks.
Brakes, steering and cab
- Footbrake and handbrake operate correctly
Footbrake pulls up firm and straight; handbrake holds the machine on a slope.
- Steering responds correctly with no excessive play
- Seat belt is secure and in working order
Emergency equipment and periodic tests
- Fire extinguisher(s) — present, in date, sealed
Correct type for vehicle, service date in date, tamper seal intact, gauge in green.
- SIMRET (fortnightly) or ramp / brake test (weekly) — carried out when due
SIMRET fortnightly or a ramp / brake test weekly. Tick N/A on days when neither test is due.
Roller
Fluids and engine
- Engine oil level
Check the dipstick with the machine on level ground.
- Hydraulic oil level
- Coolant level
Check when cool. Never open a hot radiator cap.
Structure and operator protection
- Drums and scrapers — condition and clearance
Drums clean and undamaged; scrapers set correctly and not binding.
- ROPS / cab — integrity
No cracks, no modifications, mounting bolts present and tight.
- Seat belt is secure and in working order
Controls and safety devices
- Service brake pulls up firm and straight
- Parking brake holds the machine on a slope
- Steering responds correctly with no excessive play
- Vibration on/off control functions correctly
- All lights operational
- Reversing alarm audible at 10 m
- Amber beacon flashing and visible
Mast climbing work platform
Structure and integrity
- No evidence of tampering since last use
Pay particular attention after weekends or holiday periods.
- Mast and ties sound and secure
Check especially after severe weather. Ties fully engaged, fixings tight, no movement.
- No obstacles in platform pathway
Nothing within the operation pathway that could cause hindrance or contact during travel.
Platform and edge protection
- Handrails and guards in position and secure
Adjustments or replacements must be completed before operating the platform.
- Deck and scaffold boards — no damage
- Platform clear of debris and unwanted materials
Remove loose items before operating — risk of falling objects.
Ground level and access
- Area below platform suitably fenced off
Exclusion zone prevents anyone entering the drop area during operation.
- Area beneath base frame — condition
Signage and power
- Instruction notices and SWL sign in position and legible
Includes the maximum safe working load (SWL) sign.
- Trailing power cable uncoiled and routed safely
Cable must not be pinched, run over, or cause a trip hazard.
Function checks
- Up/down direction of travel is correct
With the main switch turned on, confirm the platform travels in the expected direction.
- Gearbox — no signs of oil leaks
General plant and equipment
Universal checks
- Fluid levels — oil, hydraulic, coolant, fuel
Check on level ground. Top up where safe.
- No leaks or visible structural damage
- All controls respond correctly
- Brakes and steering operate correctly
- Guards and safety devices in place and working
Covers E-stops, interlocks, isolation devices, ROPS/FOPS where fitted.
- Lights, cameras, mirrors, horn, reversing alarm, beacon
- Statutory inspection (LOLER / PUWER) is in date
Certificate on the machine and not expired.
- Cab / work area clean — no trip hazards, no loose tools
These sheets are general guidance, not a substitute for the manufacturer’s instructions, your own risk assessment or a competent person’s inspection. Add anything the manufacturer or the hire company asks you to check.