How much are paper pre starts really costing you?

Many businesses operating machinery still rely on traditional paper pre start books for daily machinery checks. While these booklets serve their purpose, they come with hidden costs and inefficiencies that digital solutions can eliminate. This article explores the costs involved in using Ideagen Plant Assessor, which gives you access to a whole suite of machinery safety tools for less than what you currently pay for paper pre start books. 

The cost of pre start books

Paper pre start books are widely used for keeping a record of daily machinery inspections but their costs can add up quickly. Here's a breakdown: 

• Average cost per book: $50 

• Average pre starts per book: 50 

• Average workdays per year: 240 

A single machine requires approximately five books per year (240 ÷ 50 = 4.8). At $50 per booklet, the annual cost is: 

5 x $50 = $250 per machine, per year. 

When managing a large fleet, this expense becomes substantial. However, there is a solution. Ideagen Plant Assessor’s Pre Start Plus app offers a free platform to complete unlimited pre starts on your fleet of machines. Simply choose from more than 120,000 machine-specific inspection checklists, answer the yes or no questions and you will know immediately whether your machine is safe to operate. 

The cost of an Ideagen Plant Assessor membership 

In contrast, an Ideagen Plant Assessor’s membership offers a modern, cost-effective alternative. For instance: 

• Cost for a complex machine such as an excavator: $18 per month for 12 months. 

Therefore, the annual cost is: 

$18 x 12 = $216 per machine. 

For more basic machines, such as handheld or simple self-propelled vehicles, the cost is even lower, making the digital solution highly competitive for diverse fleets. 

Not only can you conduct free pre starts via the Pre Start Plus app, Ideagen Plant Assessor also gives you access to a suite of tools to boost your machinery safety system. These tools include: 

• Machine-specific risk assessments 

• Automated risk management reports with recommended controls 

• Subcontractor pre qualification workflows 

• Service and maintenance management 

• Digital document libraries for improved audit readiness 

• Dashboards and reporting 

• Machine-specific safe operating procedures (SOPs) 

Cost difference across the fleet 

When comparing the annual costs for one machine, you may think the difference is minimal.  

$250 − $216 = $34 in savings per machine annually. 

However, if you consider your entire fleet, that’s when the cost savings start to add up. For an organisation managing a fleet of 100 machines, for example: 

$34 x 100 machines = $3,400 in annual savings. 

Don’t forget the other savings and benefits of using Ideagen Plant Assessor 

The savings figures outlined above only scratch the surface of potential cost reductions when transitioning to a digital pre start solution. Joining up to Ideagen Plant Assessor comes with a stack of other great benefits which will help you rack up even more savings for your organisation. 

1. Eliminating lost or damaged pre start books
   Pre start books are susceptible to damage, loss and wear and tear, sometimes requiring replacements. This not only adds to the costs but can also disrupt machinery safety record keeping and compliance tracking. With Ideagen Plant Assessor’s free Pre Start Plus app, all pre-start checks are digital, ensuring records are permanently and securely stored. This eliminates the need for physical booklets and the headaches of managing them. 

2. Free and unlimited digital pre starts
   Unlike paper pre start books, which limit the number of pre-starts you can conduct, the Pre Start Plus app offers unlimited digital pre-starts at no additional cost. This flexibility ensures your team can perform checks as often as needed without worrying about running out of forms or incurring extra expenses.
   To learn more about free pre starts using Pre Start Plus, check out our on-demand webinar, Elevate your machinery safety with free, digital pre starts.

3. Access to industry leading risk management tools
   An Ideagen Plant Assessor membership includes access to all the digital tools you need to effectively manage your machinery safety system. These tools allow organisations to take a proactive approach to safety and compliance, identifying potential hazards and mitigating the risks before they lead to incidents that could result in serious injuries to workers. 

4. Streamlined machinery risk assessment processes
   Transitioning to a digital platform eliminates the need for paper-based risk assessments, which can be time-consuming to complete, collate and store. Digital tools not only save time but also help to ensure consistency and accuracy, reducing the likelihood of errors that could impact safety or compliance. 

5. Faster communication and issue resolution
   The Pre Start Plus app instantly identifies and reports any issues or faults identified during a machinery pre start. This ensures issues are communicated and addressed promptly, minimising machine downtime and keeping projects on track. In contrast, paper-based processes often result in delays due to manual data entry and slower communication channels, meaning issues are not recognised quickly, risking the safety of operators and other workers in the machine’s vicinity. 

6. Environmental benefits
   Switching to a digital system significantly reduces your organisation’s paper usage, aligning with sustainability goals and demonstrating your commitment to environmentally responsible practices. 

Would you like to learn more about Ideagen Plant Assessor? 

Our team of machinery experts is on hand to discuss not only how you can improve your organisation’s safety and compliance but also how you can improve its bottom line. Get in touch today on 1300 728 852 or info@assessor.com.au. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.