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Boom lift inspection checklist
The daily pre-use inspection for a boom lift, articulating or telescopic, item by item, with what to look for on each one: a walk-around with the boom stowed, then function tests from the ground and from the platform. Print it and keep it in the manual box.
Other equipment: scissor lift checklist · forklift checklist
What the standards ask for
OSHA’s aerial lift rule for construction, 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(i), requires that lift controls “be tested each day prior to use.”
The ANSI A92 standards for mobile elevating work platforms go further: the operator inspects the lift and tests its functions before each work shift, following the manufacturer’s manual, and a lift with a defect is taken out of service until it is repaired.
Writing the inspection down is how you show it happened. The scissor lift checklist covers the other common aerial lift.
Walk-around
Boom stowed. Walk around it.
Fluid leaks under the unit Out of service
Look at the floor where the unit was parked. Any puddle of oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, or fuel.
Tires and wheels Out of service
No chunking, gouging, flat spots, or exposed cord. Pneumatic tires at correct pressure.
Hydraulic hoses, fittings, and cylinders Out of service
No leaks, cracks, chafing, or bulges. Fittings tight.
Hydraulic fluid level
Within the marked range on the dipstick or sight glass.
Data / capacity plate Out of service
Attached, legible, and matches any attachment installed on the unit.
Boom sections and welds Out of service
No cracks in welds or parent metal, no dents or bends in any boom section, upright, or turntable; pivot pins in place and secured.
Boom wear pads Out of service
Wear pads present at each boom section, not cracked, broken, or missing; no metal-to-metal rubbing marks on boom sections.
Turntable bearing bolts Out of service
Rotation bearing shows lubrication, no loose or missing bolts, and no looseness or gap between bearing and machine.
Swing motor and gear
Swing motor and worm gear lubricated, no damage, no leaks; turntable stops and lock pin (where fitted) intact.
Counterweight and bolts Out of service
Counterweight securely mounted, no cracks, no loose or missing mounting bolts.
Power track and hoses
Boom power track (hose and cable carrier) intact, links not broken, hoses and cables seated and not chafed.
Boom valley clear
Boom valley and under-platform area free of debris, tools, and pooled oil.
Boom limit switches Out of service
Limit switches and actuators at boom, turntable, and platform mounted, undamaged, and not bypassed.
Platform rotator and leveling cylinder Out of service
Platform rotator and leveling (slave) cylinder securely mounted, pivot pins in place, no visible damage, no hydraulic leaks.
Jib and jib rotator Out of service
Jib boom, jib cylinder, and jib rotator securely mounted, no cracks or bends, no leaks (where equipped).
Harness and lanyard Out of service
Each occupant wears a full-body harness with the lanyard attached to the anchor provided in the platform, one lanyard per anchor.
Guardrails and entry gate Out of service
Guardrails, toeboard, and entry gate or mid-rail intact; gate closes and latches, not bent.
Tilt indicator
Tilt indicator lamp is present, the lens is not broken, and it is not lit with the machine on level ground.
Function tests
Ground controls first, then from the platform.
Hour meter reading
Enter the current hours.
Gauges and warning lights Out of service
All gauges read normal. No warning or fault lamps stay lit after startup.
Horn Out of service
Sounds clearly.
Backup alarm Out of service
Sounds when the unit is put in reverse.
Lights and beacon
Every light the unit has, including any strobe or beacon, working.
Service brake Out of service
Unit stops firmly and travels straight. No grabbing, no soft or sinking pedal.
Parking brake Out of service
Holds the unit on an incline.
Steering Out of service
Smooth through full travel. No excessive play, binding, or wandering.
Forward and reverse control Out of service
Engages smoothly in both directions. No delay, no lurching.
Boom sections extend together Out of service
All boom sections extend and retract together at the same rate with no delay, jerking, or lag between sections.
Foot switch Out of service
Foot switch not modified, blocked, or disabled; with it released, no boom or drive function operates.
Boom functions from ground Out of service
From ground controls, boom raise/lower, extend/retract, and turntable rotate each operate through a full cycle and stop when released.
Boom functions from platform Out of service
From platform controls, boom raise/lower, extend/retract, turntable rotate, and jib (where equipped) operate through a full cycle and stop when released.
Turntable rotates smoothly Out of service
Turntable rotates both directions without binding, grinding, or jerking and holds position when released.
Platform rotate
Platform rotates left and right on command and holds position when released.
Slow drive with boom raised Out of service
With the boom raised above horizontal or extended, drive is limited to creep (Genie: no faster than 1 ft / 30 cm per second) even at full command.
Drive direction with boom rotated Out of service
With the boom rotated past the non-steer wheels, the orientation indicator lights and drive does not respond until the enable/override is held; machine moves as the chassis arrows indicate.
Oscillating axle lockout Out of service
With boom stowed, drive one steer tire onto a 6 in / 15 cm block: the other three stay in firm contact; on JLG, with the boom over the side the raised wheel stays locked until the boom returns to center.
Unusual noises, smells, or vibration Out of service
Anything that was not there yesterday.
Anything else to report
Optional. Leave blank if nothing.
Depending on what it runs on
Only the section for your boom lift’s power source applies.
Propane (LP)
LP tank mounted correctly Out of service
Strap or clamp latched and tight, and the tank does not move. The locating pin sits in the hole on the tank collar. The relief valve points straight up, away from the operator.
LP tank and hose condition Out of service
Tank free of dents, gouges, deep rust, or damage to the collar or foot ring, with a current requalification date. Hose has no cracks, splits, chafing, or kinks, and the quick-disconnect is fully seated.
No smell of propane Out of service
If gas is detected, shut the tank valve and tag the truck out immediately. Do not start it.
Electric
Charger unplugged and cable stowed Out of service
Never move the truck with the charger connected.
Battery restraint and hood latch Out of service
Battery hold-down in place. Compartment cover or hood latched.
Battery case condition Out of service
No cracks, no bulging, no electrolyte on top of the battery.
Battery terminals and connector Out of service
No corrosion, no exposed or frayed wire, connector not burnt, melted, or discolored.
State of charge
Enough charge for the shift. Note the percentage or the discharge indicator reading.
Diesel or gasoline
Engine oil level
Between the marks on the dipstick.
Coolant level
At the fill line in the overflow tank. Check only when the engine is cold.
Fuel level and no fuel leaks Out of service
Cap secure. No smell of fuel, no wet spots on lines or tank.
Why these checks matter
A boom lift puts a person far from its base, so the checks that matter most keep the machine level and the person in the basket: the oscillating axle, the slow drive with the boom raised, the guardrails and gate, and the harness anchor.
A crack in a boom weld or a loose turntable bolt is easy to miss from the platform and obvious from the ground. That is why the walk-around comes before anyone goes up.
Items marked Out of service take the lift out of service when they fail. The rest still need reporting, but they do not necessarily stop the shift. The manufacturer’s manual is the final word on what to check on your model.