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The licence most employers require is the LF class high risk work licence.

The LF licence covers common forklift types used in Australian workplaces, including:

  • Counterbalance forklifts
  • Reach forklifts
  • High reach and warehouse forklifts

EWP pre-start checks and safe operation basics: what sites expect you to know

EWP Training Package

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Most issues with EWPs don’t start in the air. They start before the machine even moves.

A rushed pre-start inspection. Hazards not properly identified. Control measures not put in place. Poor positioning before lifting.

Skipping or rushing the small things can have big consequences especially once the platform is in the air and your options are limited.

This guide is for anyone who wants to stay ahead of that and operate like they belong on the machine.

What a good pre start actually looks like and why it matters

A pre-start is not a box tick exercise. It’s your chance to spot

  1. mechanical issues before they become incidents
  2. obvious hazards in your work zone
  3. conditions that make the EWP unstable such as soft ground slopes wind and overhead hazards

At OTJT we teach operators to think beyond the machine and look at the full risk picture. That means hazards risk assessment and control measures before you even touch the controls.

A simple way to remember it is 3 up 3 out 3 down

Look up for overhead hazards, check the ground conditions below and scan your surroundings for people plant and changing site conditions.

Safe Work Australia highlights that EWPs can be dangerous and risks must be controlled, and that some require high risk licensing, which is one reason sites take operator readiness seriously.

Even on machines that don’t require a licence, proper training matters. This is exactly what’s covered in EWP Scissor Lift Training, where operators learn how to carry out checks and operate safely on site.

Some EWPs require a High Risk Work Licence depending on their type and reach. If you’re unsure what applies, it’s worth understanding the difference between boom lifts and under 11m machines before you step on site.

The practical EWP pre-start checklist (operator level)

The practical EWP pre-start checklist (operator level)

Every make and model is a bit different, so always follow the manufacturer guidance and your site procedure. But these checks are a strong baseline:

Walk around inspection

  1. Tyres and wheels damage inflation missing lugs
  2. Leaks underneath hydraulic oil is a classic
  3. Guardrails and gates intact
  4. Decals and warning labels legible
  5. Platform condition clean no loose items

Controls and safety devices

  1. Emergency stop works
  2. Lowering controls understood and accessible
  3. Alarms functioning where fitted
  4. Interlocks and gates working as designed

Power and hydraulics

  1. Battery charge or fuel levels
  2. Hydraulic lines and fittings wear rubbing leaks
  3. Charger leads and isolation points for electric units

Work area check

  1. Overhead hazards such as powerlines beams signage
  2. Ground conditions such as soft fill trenches pits drains
  3. Exclusion zones for pedestrians and plant
  4. Wind conditions if you’re outdoors

Function test

  1. Smooth lift and lower
  2. Steering and brakes responsive
  3. Emergency descent understood before you need it

If this feels like more than just “jump on the platform and off we go”, that’s because it is. These are the exact fundamentals covered in formal training like the WP High Risk Work Licence for boom lifts, where safe operation is assessed, not assumed.

Planning the task before you move

Before you even touch the controls, good operators take a moment to plan the task.

In training we keep this simple with PLACE

  1. Permits required – working at heights hot works traffic management
  2. Location of the task –  radius pick up and set down points
  3. Access and egress – how the EWP plant and equipment will get in and out
  4. Communications – choosing the right method for the job and site conditions
  5. Equipment required – tools lifting gear and any supporting plant

It takes less than a minute, but this kind of planning is what prevents last-minute adjustments, confusion on site, and unnecessary risk once you’re already in the air.

Habits that separate “ticket holder” from “trusted operator”

Behaviours supervisors expect to see:

  1. Positioning before lifting set up correctly at ground level then lift
  2. Slow is smooth controlled movements reduce swing and crush risk
  3. Mind the overheads look up more than you think you need to
  4. Housekeeping keep the platform clean do not overload it and do not carry loose gear
  5. Spotter communication use a spotter and clear signals when needed

OTJT’s WP course description highlights consistent compliance with workplace procedures and safe methods as part of operating boom-type EWPs, which is the same mindset sites want from all EWP operators.

What about rescue and emergency lowering?

You do not need to be a superhero but you do need to know how to get down safely before you go up.

At a minimum operators should understand

  1. Where the emergency lowering controls are both ground and platform
  2. How to use the emergency stop
  3. How the machine can be lowered in an emergency
  4. What to do if the operator becomes unwell at height
  5. Who the site contact or rescue team is

On most sites, a rescue plan should be in place before work starts, not figured out when something goes wrong.

If you’re unsure how a machine is lowered in an emergency, that’s a question to ask before you leave the ground.

Some machines also have backup systems or emergency descent devices, which should be understood before use.

Emergency procedures and rescue planning are also part of structured training, especially when working at height or in higher-risk environments, including courses like Work Safely at Heights RIIWHS204E where rescue planning is a key focus.

On-site, EWP work is often combined with other requirements like working at heights or confined spaces, depending on the job.

What if something doesn’t feel right, or the platform moves unexpectedly?

Good operators do not push through defects or odd machine behaviour. If the platform drops, moves or tilts unexpectedly, or a defect shows up during pre-start or post-operational checks, the response should be immediate.

At OTJT we teach STIRR

  1. Stop – stop work or lower the platform
  2. Tag – with an out of service tag
  3. Isolate – isolate and lock the switch
  4. Report – to your supervisor
  5. Record –  in the logbook as required

In other words, do not guess, do not keep going, and do not hope it sorts itself out.

“Know how to get down safely before you go up.”

The difference between allowed and relied on

Pre-start checks and good operating habits are the difference between being allowed on the machine and being relied on.

If you are stepping into EWP work for the first time this is the stuff that makes your first week smoother, safer and a lot less stressful.

Explore OTJT’s EWP courses and choose the option that matches the equipment you’ll be using or our EWP Training package to cover all bases in one go.

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