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✅ SOP-MIN-001: Pre-Shift Inspection and Fitness for Work

Rule zero: If the machine, the workplace or you are not fit to start, you do not start.

FieldDetail
Company / siteRidgeline Copper Operations (fictional sample company)
Document No.SOP-MIN-001
Revision1.0 (approved)
Effective2026-10-06
Next review due2027-10-06 (or after any incident or change)
Applies toAll operators, drillers, maintainers and supervisors at the start of every shift
OwnerOperations Superintendent
Approved byMine Manager and Site Safety Manager

1. Purpose

To make sure every person, machine and work area is checked and safe before work begins, so defects, hazards and fatigue are caught before they hurt someone.

2. Scope

Every shift, surface and underground, for mobile equipment, fixed plant and work areas. Equipment-specific checklists sit under this SOP.

3. Roles and responsibilities

RoleResponsibilities
OperatorCompletes the equipment checklist, reports every defect, refuses to operate an unsafe machine.
SupervisorRuns the pre-shift meeting, checks fitness for work, assigns and signs off tagged-out equipment.
MaintenanceFixes reported defects, closes the defect in the register, confirms the machine is fit to return.
WorkerDeclares fatigue, illness, medication or anything that affects safe work.

4. Hazards and controls

HazardControl
Defective brakes, steering, lights, alarmsWalk-around and function test before use; defect tag on any failed item
Fatigue or impairmentFitness-for-work check, fatigue questions, stand-down option with no penalty
Changed work area (ground, water, traffic)Workplace examination and hand-over notes from the previous shift
Missing PPE or emergency gearPPE check, self-rescuer, radio and gas detector tests where used

5. Site-specific parameters

ParameterValue at Ridgeline Copper Mine
Fleet coveredCat 793F haul trucks HT01 to HT18, Komatsu PC5500 shovel SH01, Cat 994K loader LD01, Cat 24M grader GR01, 6 light vehicles
Pre-shift meeting05:45 day shift, 17:45 night shift, at the Alpha Pit muster shelter
Checklist formHSE-F-001 (on the cab tablet; paper backup in the glove box)
Radio testCall the control room on Ch 1; no reply within 30 seconds means the radio fails the test
Fatigue ruleMore than 14 hours awake or less than 6 hours of sleep: tell the supervisor before starting
Defect tag coloursRed = do not operate, yellow = operate with restrictions; every defect is logged in the CMMS

6. Procedure

Pre-shift meeting

  1. Supervisor reads out the previous shift hand-over, open defects, weather, blasting and traffic changes.
  2. Each worker confirms they are fit for work and have the required PPE, radio and detectors.
  3. Supervisor assigns tasks and checks that each person is trained and authorized for the task.

Equipment walk-around

  1. Check for leaks, damage, cracks, loose parts, tyre and track condition, and fire suppression.
  2. Check lights, horn, reverse alarm, mirrors, cameras, seat belt, brakes, steering and emergency stop.
  3. Test radio and any proximity or collision systems.
  4. Record the result on the checklist. Any safety-critical defect means the machine does not start; tag it out and report it.

Workplace examination

  1. Examine the work area for loose ground, water, spillage, poor lighting, overhead hazards and traffic.
  2. Make safe or barricade the hazard before work starts, and record it.

Sign-off

  1. Operator and supervisor sign the checklist.
  2. Defects go into the defect register with a named owner and a due date.

7. Stop-work triggers

Stop the job, make the area safe and call the supervisor if any of these happen:

  • A safety-critical defect is found (brakes, steering, ROPS/FOPS, fire suppression, emergency stop)
  • A worker is fatigued, unwell or impaired
  • The work area changes without a new examination
  • Radios or detectors fail their test

8. Emergency response

  1. If a defect or hazard could cause immediate harm, stop and keep people clear.
  2. Tell the supervisor by radio and tag out the equipment.
  3. Supervisor decides on repair, redirect or evacuation and records the event.

9. Records

  • Pre-shift checklists kept at least 12 months
  • Defect register with closure dates
  • Pre-shift meeting attendance and hand-over notes

10. Related documents

  • Equipment isolation and lockout/tagout (SOP-MIN-014)
  • Haul road and mobile equipment traffic management (SOP-MIN-006)
  • Job hazard assessment (JHA) template
  • Incident reporting and investigation SOP (SOP-MIN-010)
  • Applicable regulations for your jurisdiction, for example MSHA 30 CFR Parts 56 and 57 in the United States

Controlled document. The current version lives in this library. Printed copies are uncontrolled: check the revision before you use one. Questions or improvements go to the document owner.

11. Revision history

RevDateAuthorChange
1.02026-10-06Site HSE departmentFirst issue, approved for use

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