Educational checklist examples for safety, equipment and operational tasks — what a checklist covers, who uses it and how it connects to forms, inspections and training. Informational only — template examples to adapt, not official documents or legal advice; completing a checklist does not guarantee compliance and employers remain responsible.
What a cherry picker checklist is
A cherry picker checklist is a pre-use check of a boom-type mobile elevating work platform, confirming the machine, the basket and the set-up are safe before anyone is lifted on the boom. It is closely related to the wider MEWP check but focuses on boom machines.
This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, and completing it does not authorise anyone to operate a cherry picker — operating one requires separate, often legally required training, familiarisation and the employer’s authorisation.
Purpose
- Confirm boom controls, emergency lowering and safety devices work.
- Check the basket, harness anchor points and gate are sound.
- Confirm outriggers/stabilisers and ground conditions suit the planned use.
- Record the check, the rescue plan and any defect before lifting.
Who completes it
- The trained, familiarised and authorised operator, before use.
- Defects stop use and the machine is reported.
- The employer decides who is authorised to operate the boom type.
- Thorough examination and servicing are separate, competent-person tasks.
When it is used
- Before each shift or first use that day.
- After the machine is moved to a new area or surface.
- When a fault or warning appears during use.
- On the frequency the employer sets in the rescue and risk plan.
Typical items
- Machine ID/type, operator, date and shift.
- Ground and basket controls and emergency lowering tested.
- Basket, gate and harness anchor points sound; boom and structure checked.
- Outriggers/stabilisers, firm ground, overhead and edge hazards, rescue plan.
- Defects found and action taken (e.g. out of service, reported).
- These are example items only — adapt them to the machine type and your risk assessment.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the emergency-lowering test.
- Siting the machine on soft or sloping ground without proper stabilisers.
- No rescue plan or harness arrangement for the boom basket.
- Operating a type the person is not trained and familiarised on.
Document workflow
A cherry picker checklist sits alongside the operator’s training, familiarisation and authorisation records, the rescue plan and the machine’s examination log. The work-at-height risk assessment is completed before, the check is used with the MEWP and ladder checks and the rescue plan, and a failed check is completed after with a defect report and removal from service.
See the related documents below for what is commonly completed before, used with and completed after a cherry picker check.
Retention (high level)
Completed checks are typically retained for a period the employer sets, alongside examination and maintenance records. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction and type of work.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Pre-use checks are often recorded and stored as PDFs alongside the machine’s records and the rescue plan. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the check official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Ensure operators are trained, familiarised on the boom type and authorised.
- Provide a rescue plan and harness arrangements for the basket.
- Make sure defective machines are removed from service.
- Keep pre-use, examination and maintenance records together.
Operator notes
- Do the checks, including the emergency lowering, before going up.
- Know the rescue plan and use the harness arrangement provided.
- If something fails, do not use the machine; report it.
Country considerations
Requirements for boom-platform inspection, examination, operator competence and rescue planning vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for safe work at height, operator competence and authorisation, machine examination and rescue planning, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise anyone, does not replace training and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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