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 an order picker pre-use checklist is
An order picker pre-use checklist is a short list of checks an operator works through before using a picking truck that raises the operator to height, where fall protection and platform integrity are central to safety.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, and completing it does not authorise anyone to operate an order picker — operating one requires separate, often legally required training and the employer’s authorisation.
Purpose
- Confirm the order picker is safe to use before each shift or use.
- Check the platform, gates and harness anchor point.
- Catch defects early so a faulty truck can be taken out of service.
- Create a record that the check was carried out.
Who completes it
- The trained, authorised operator, before use.
- Defects are reported to a supervisor or maintenance.
- The employer decides who is authorised to operate and to check.
- Examination of lifting and fall-protection equipment is a separate task.
When it is used
- Before each shift, or before first use of the truck that day.
- After a change of operator, where the employer requires it.
- When a fault is suspected during use.
Typical items
- Truck ID, operator, date and shift.
- Platform, gates, guard rails and floor condition.
- Harness anchor point and the operator’s harness and lanyard.
- Mast, chains, wheels, tyres and any leaks.
- Brakes, steering, horn, lights and lift and lower.
- Defects found and action taken — example items only, adapt to the truck.
Common mistakes
- Working at height with no harness or an unchecked anchor point.
- Operating with a damaged gate or guard rail.
- Signing the checklist without doing the checks.
- No clear route to report and act on defects.
Document workflow
The order picker pre-use checklist sits within the warehouse equipment and work-at-height records. Before it, the operator’s training and authorisation records and any harness inspection establish who may work at height; alongside it sit the forklift and reach truck checks for the same area.
After it, a failed check should trigger a defect report and removal from service, and recurring issues feed maintenance and any incident report. See the related documents below.
Retention (high level)
Completed checklists are usually kept for a period set by the employer and any applicable rules, with the truck’s maintenance and examination records and harness records.
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 with the equipment records, so they can be filed and audited. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the check official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Ensure operators are trained, authorised and protected from falls.
- Provide a checklist that covers fall protection and a clear defect route.
- Make sure harnesses and anchor points are inspected and used.
- Keep check, maintenance and examination records together.
Operator notes
- Check and wear your harness and clip to the anchor point.
- Do not operate with a damaged gate or guard rail.
- If something fails, do not use the truck; report it.
Country considerations
Requirements for work at height, lift-truck checks and operator competence 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, equipment maintenance and examination, and 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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