Compliance guide
Pre-Start Machinery Checks: What to Record and Why
Why a daily pre-start check matters, what it should cover, and what a real one looks like.
Why are pre-start checks important?
UK work equipment regulations place a general duty on employers to keep equipment maintained in efficient working order, and a quick check before use is widely recognised good practice for catching a problem — a leak, a worn brake, a loose guard — before it causes an injury or an expensive breakdown mid-job.
What should a pre-start check cover?
TurfHubHQ's built-in checklist covers 17 items: engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolant, fuel, tyres, cutting units, guards, safety switches, brakes, steering, lights, battery, belts, leaks, damage, general cleanliness and general condition. Five of those — guards, safety switches, brakes, steering and leaks — are treated as critical checks.
What happens when an issue is found?
Marking any item “Issue Found” opens a text box to describe the problem. If it's one of the five critical items, the machine itself is flagged so it doesn't quietly go back into use. Staff complete the check from Staff Mobile View before taking a machine out, and managers get a read-only review log of every check submitted, so an issue raised on the shed floor is visible in the office straight away.
General information, not advice
This page is general information to help you understand the topic — it is not legal or professional advice. Requirements vary by equipment, product and site; always confirm current requirements with HSE guidance, your product label, or a qualified advisor.