Before you move that… Check it!

Expert Q&A: Why pre-use checks matter and how to do them right

It can be tempting to wave off pre-use checks when a site’s busy, the kit looks fine, you’ve used it a hundred times, and there’s always more to do. We sat down with Andy Greener, Technical Support & Product Development Manager, to talk through what they are, why they’re worth the time and who needs to conduct them.

So, what actually is a pre-use check?

Exactly as it sounds: it’s a visual inspection combined with a functional check of all necessary systems, before equipment use, carried out by a trained, competent person who has the necessary knowledge and experience. It helps to make sure the kit is fit to do the job and will work safely. It’s not a full inspection; on most equipment, it takes just a few minutes. The point is to catch anything obvious before the equipment is under load or in use.

How detailed does it need to be?

“Looks fine from the cab” and “I’ve actually looked at it before using it” aren’t the same thing. A pre-use check is a chance to look over the whole product while it’s not operating, and spot wear, damage, or something that’s not sitting right. It is actually done before each use. For example, if one operator removes the attachment from their excavator, and the next operator then uses it, then another pre-use check should be carried out, so the operator is confident that the first operator did not damage it and it’s safe to use. You can carry out several pre-use checks each day.

And it’s not only about safety, though that’s the main one. A pre-use check helps you:

• Pick up wear early, while it’s a quick fix rather than a breakdown and causes site downtime
• Stay compliant and ready when a QHSE colleague asks
• Know when there’s a buildup of materials that require a thorough clean on the kit
• Get more life out of your kit — changing a part rather than replacing the whole product, saving replacement costs

It’s free, quick, and one of the simplest habits to keep a site running safely.

Whose responsibility is it?

The person carrying out pre-use checks needs to be a competent, trained person, and usually the responsibility falls mainly to the person who is using it, in this case, the operator. However, as it is an HSE regulation under PUWER 1998 (regulation 6), it states that all pre-use checks should be carried out by a trained, competent person who has the necessary knowledge. Records of inspections must be made and kept for a set period.

A responsible person, usually the site manager, needs to make sure those pre-use checks are being carried out correctly and that the team has what they need: the time, the guidance, and somewhere to record them. A team that checks as routine is a safer, more productive one.

What’s the difference between pre-use checks and LOLER or PUWER inspections?

The pre-use check is the everyday visual check of equipment carried out by a trained competent and authorised person on-site. Formal inspections are carried out by inspectors on a set schedule. PUWER for work equipment generally, and LOLER thorough examinations for lifting equipment and accessories, carried out at least every six months. One doesn’t replace the other: pre-use checks keep an eye on things between examinations. (For the exact legal requirements for your kit, always check current HSE guidance.)

Is checking an attachment different from checking the machine?

It is, and it can be an important area that people miss. Operators are trained on the machine, the excavator, forklift, crane, but the attachment – what’s ‘below the hook’ often isn’t something everyone’s trained on. Products that look the same and do the same job can differ, with different guidance from different manufacturers. So, the machine being signed off on doesn’t mean the attachment’s been looked at. Both need their own checks.

How do you actually carry out a pre-use check? What am I looking for on Conquips equipment?

Honestly, it depends on the product, which is why I’d point you to its user guide rather than a generic list. We built our User Guide Library, so the answers are always to hand: every product has its own guide, now as downloadable PDFs, and some are audio-visual walkthroughs, and all of them have a pre-use checklist at the back for guidance. However, as a general approach:

• Give it a proper visual once-over: Damage, cracks, distortion, excessive wear, rust, anything missing or loose
• Check the markings and plates: Things like the identification / serial number, Working Load Limit (WLL) on lifting gear should be present and legible
• Carry out a functional test by operating the piece of equipment: Looking at pins, couplings, locking mechanism, anything holding the attachment to the machine or the load to the kit
• Check the paperwork is in order: For lifting accessories, especially, the report of thorough examination is up to date
• Refer to the product’s user guide: It’s written for exactly what’s in front of you
• Top tip: Use the right product for the right job.

If everything’s as it should be, you’re good to go. If the equipment should become faulty during use, also stop what you are doing and report to a manager or supervisor.

What if I’m not sure, or something doesn’t look right?

Don’t guess, and don’t “it’ll be fine” it. Take it out of service and get it looked at. If you’d rather have a professional check it, our Conquip Covered engineers can come to you for inspections and on-site repairs or talk it through over the phone. Asking is always safer than assuming.

How often should I be recording it?

Before each use is the simple rule — so at least daily, as part of getting going. Recording it is good practice: it gives you a trail to show QHSE, and helps you spot patterns, like a part wearing faster than it should. Managers, that record is your friend at audit time. Our user guides have a checklist that can be printed and used for easy record-keeping.

Andy’s bottom line: None of this needs to be complicated, and its 100% worth the time. A pre-use check is a few of minutes that keeps you safe, keeps your site moving, and keeps your kit going for longer. So, before you move that… check it!

Read more about safe usage guidance.

Find the user guide for your product.

Need advice? Talk to our Conquip Covered team.