It’s early. The sun is just starting to warm the site, the coffee is kicking in, and a long list of tasks is waiting. Over in the corner sits your ride for the day:
a boom or scissor lift. The temptation is real—just hop in, turn the key, and get to work. You’ve done it a hundred times before, right?
But hold on. The most seasoned operators I know, the ones who have been doing this for decades, all have one thing in common. They treat that first five minutes with the machine as the most important part of their day. They know that what you do before you lift is what ensures you get the job done safely and go home in one piece.
This isn’t about ticking boxes for a supervisor. This is about professional habit. Think of it like a pilot’s pre-flight check. It’s a quick, simple ritual that separates the pros from the amateurs. Here is a straightforward checklist to make part of your daily routine.
Part 1: The Walk-Around – Your First Line of Defence
Before you even think about putting the key in the ignition, take a slow lap around your machine. Your eyes are your best tool here.
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Check Your Base: Tires and Wheels
- Are the tires properly inflated and free of any deep cuts or damage? For solid tyres, check for significant wear or chunking. Remember, the stability of the entire machine starts right here.
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Look for Leaks: Hoses and Fittings
- Scan the ground beneath the lift. Are there any drips? Look over the hydraulic hoses for cracks, blisters, or signs of wear. A hydraulic failure at height is a worst-case scenario.
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Inspect the Structure: Welds, Bolts, and Guardrails
- Glance over the main structural components. Are all nuts and bolts secure? Do you see any cracks in the welds? Shake the guardrails—are they solid? You’re about to trust your life to this structure; make sure it’s sound.
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Check the Vitals: Fluid Levels
- Just like your car, your lift needs its fluids. Check the hydraulic oil, engine oil, fuel, and coolant levels. A machine that’s running properly is a machine that’s running safely.
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Read the Signs: Decals and Placards
- Ensure all safety and instructional decals are in place and legible. These aren’t just for decoration; they contain critical information about load capacity, operating warnings, and tire pressure.
Part 2: Surveying Your Workspace – The 360-Degree Scan
Okay, the machine looks good. Now, look at where you’re about to work. A perfect machine in a dangerous environment is still a recipe for disaster.
- Assess the Ground: Is the surface level and firm? Look for potholes, soft spots, manholes, or steep slopes that could cause a tip-over.
- Look Up and Around: Identify any overhead hazards. We all know to look for power lines, but don’t forget about roof trusses, tree branches, or other building components.
- Clear the Path: Make sure your intended path of travel and work area are clear of personnel, equipment, and materials. Set up cones or warning signs to keep the area secure.
Part 3: The Function Check – Testing Your Controls
Now it’s time to climb aboard and start it up. Before you raise the platform more than a foot or two off the ground, run through a full function test.
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Test Your Lifeline: Emergency Controls
- First things first. Do you know how the emergency lowering system works? Hit the emergency stop (E-stop) button to ensure it kills the power. Test any auxiliary power functions. This is your “escape plan” if the primary power fails.
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Run the Gauntlet: All Other Functions
- From the ground controls, test every function (lift, swing, drive). Then, raise yourself just enough to safely test the platform controls. Do the joysticks respond smoothly? Does the steering work correctly?
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Make Some Noise: Safety Features
- Test the horn, check the warning lights, and listen for any motion alarms. These are your tools for communicating with people on the ground.
Safety Isn’t a Slogan, It’s a Standard
This entire checklist might take five minutes, but it’s the most valuable five minutes of your workday. It builds confidence, prevents costly damage, and, most importantly, ensures that everyone on the job site stays safe.
At MT&T Rentals, we live and breathe this stuff. Every single boom and scissor lift in our fleet is meticulously maintained and inspected by our expert technicians before it ever arrives at your location. We provide the reliable, safe equipment—and you provide the professional skill to operate it.
Need a lift you can count on for your next project? Or maybe your team could use a refresher on AWP safety training?
Explore our extensive fleet of rental equipment or
contact our team to discuss how we can help keep your operations safe and productive.
