Health and safety checklist

Use this checklist to help you identify hazards

at your workplace.

Manual tasks Yes No N/A

Have you identified all tasks involving lifting, pushing, pulling and/or carrying,
and assessed the risk of injury at your workplace?

Have your risk assessments taken into account posture, movement, forces, duration, frequency
and environmental factors? (Refer to sections 2 and 3 of the Code of Practice – Hazardous
Manual Tasks for more information.)

Are objects handled easy to grasp, have no sharp edges and are not hot, cold,
slippery or bulky?

Is lifting from ground level or above shoulder level avoided?

Is the work area, equipment and system of work designed to eliminate sideways twisting of the
body, excessive bending or reaching?

Is the work area, equipment and system of work designed to minimise sustained
repetitive movements?

Are mechanical handling aids provided where possible?

Is there enough space to allow free movement while doing the task?

Is training provided about risk factors and the proper technique to do the task?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 1 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Equipment, machinery and tools Yes No N/A

Is the correct equipment always used for each job?

Are all tools and machinery properly guarded?

Are stop/start switches clearly marked and positioned within easy reach of the operator?

Are operators trained to use the tools, equipment and machinery safely?

Do operators hold current licences to perform work that requires certification?

Has provision been made to safely store or dispose of waste off-cuts?

Is there enough work space around machinery?

Are tools, equipment and machinery regularly maintained?

(in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions)

Is there a process to ensure that tools and machinery are switched off before maintenance and
cleaning is carried out and cannot be inadvertently started by other workers during maintenance
and cleaning?

Are unsafe or faulty tools, equipment or machinery reported immediately?

Are unsafe or faulty tools, equipment or machinery removed from use until they are repaired or
replaced?

Are repairs always carried out by authorised and competent persons?

Are health and safety risks considered before modification or alteration of any tools, equipment
or machinery?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 2 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Moving around Yes No N/A

Have you made sure people cannot slip or trip when they move around? (e.g. on oil, grease,
water, leads, hoses, cables)

Have appropriate fall prevention methods been implemented for all tasks that are undertaken at
height? (e.g. guard rails, scaffolds, harness systems)

Can traffic and people move safely around the worksite? (e.g. walkways clearly marked, barriers
to separate vehicles from walkways, unobstructed vision at intersections)

Is it easy to get in and out of the workplace safely? (e.g. exits clearly marked and unobstructed)

Are stairs, ladders and platforms safe? (e.g. fixed handrails, ladders secure when in use, anti-slip
treads)

Are vehicle drivers trained and aware of hazards?

Do vehicle drivers have safe schedules?

Are all loads safely secured?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 3 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Chemicals and other hazardous substances Yes No N/A

Is there an up-to-date list of all chemicals used? (e.g. cleaning products, paints, solvents,
degreasers, petrol, inks, toner, oil, adhesives, acids, acrylics, pesticides)

Have you obtained Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals and made these available to
workers for information? (Refer to the Code of Practice – Managing Risks of Hazardous
Chemicals in the Workplace for more information)

Have you assessed the risk of exposure (e.g. via inhalation, skin contact, ingestion) during
transport, storage and use of the chemicals?

Are containers clearly labelled?

Are chemicals and other hazardous substances stored safely? (e.g. in specific storage rooms or
cabinets, separated from other reactive substances, away from ignition sources)

Are workers trained in the safe use, handling, storage and transport of chemicals?

Is there adequate ventilation and fume extraction?

Have you ensured that chemicals and hazardous substances cannot spill, leak or otherwise
escape into the environment during storage, handling and transport?

Are gas cylinders stored upright, secure, away from heat and ignition sources and in a ventilated
area?

Is monitoring and health surveillance undertaken if required?

Are chemicals and hazardous substances disposed of correctly?

Is appropriate personal protective equipment provided? (e.g. gloves, respirators)

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 4 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Electricity Yes No N/A

Are electrical leads, plugs, sockets and switches in good condition? (e.g. not frayed or damaged)

Have you ensured there are no electrical leads lying across floors?

Have you ensured there are no double adaptors used?

Have electrical leads and power boards been inspected and tagged where necessary?

Is the location of powerlines and cables (overhead/underground/behind walls) checked before

digging, drilling, using cranes or ladders, or erecting scaffolding?

For information on underground infrastructure, contact Dial Before You Dig nationally on 1100
or www.1100.com.au. Refer to www.sa.gov.au/energysafe for information on powerline safety.

Is portable electrical equipment fitted with residual current devices?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 5 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Smoking Yes No N/A

Is smoking discouraged as part of the workplace culture?

Is there a smoke free policy that addresses exposure to passive smoke and are people aware of
this policy?

Is smoking restricted on the worksite (including work vehicles)?

Are Quit smoking programs and messages promoted?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 6 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Unhealthy food and drink habits Yes No N/A

Is healthy food and drink an accepted part of the workplace culture?

Are facilities available for staff to bring healthy food from home and eat it at work?
(e.g. cooler bags, fridge, cutlery)

Is there a policy for safe working in heat that encourages drinking water?

Is there easy access to healthy food and drink at work and shops near work?

Is information available on healthy eating and drinking to manage fatigue and stay fit for work?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 7 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Alcohol and drugs Yes No N/A

Is responsible alcohol or drug consumption an accepted part of the workplace culture?

Does your work provide support for isolated workers who have extended separation from family
or friends?

Do you have a drug and alcohol policy and are staff familiar with it?

At work functions, do you consider responsible provision of alcohol including food and non-
alcoholic drinks?

Do you promote safe consumption of alcohol messages and the use of support services such as
the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 8 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Physical inactivity and screen time Yes No N/A

Are work tasks designed to include healthy dynamic muscular movement, including large limb
and trunk movement to encourage circulation?

Are workstations and/or equipment designed to encourage the above?

Are tasks designed to encourage frequent eye movement and change of focus?

Are regular walking or stretching breaks an accepted part of the workplace culture?

Is information available on the benefits of activity and regular movement?

(e.g. stretching regularly at work)

Is information available on local physical activity opportunities?

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 9 of 10

Health and safety checklist
Use this checklist to help you identify hazards
at your workplace.

Mental health Yes No N/A

Does the workplace encourage a culture where work-related stresses and struggles can be
discussed in an open and supportive/constructive manner?

Do workers indicate that they are able to cope with the demands of the job?

Have you provided sufficient support to your workers? (e.g. management, training, coaching)

Do you provide workers with opportunities to have a say about the way they do their job?

Do you educate staff in relation to acceptable behaviours and how to report unacceptable
behaviours?

Have you clarified job descriptions appropriately so workers understand their role?

Have you communicated and managed any business changes effectively?

Do you promote a fair and positive work environment?

Do you recognise and reward workers efforts?

Do you monitor workers for signs of fatigue and take appropriate action to address risk
factors?

Is coaching available for those suffering from work stress? (e.g. an Employee Assistance
Program that allows workers to access counselling confidentially that the employer pays for)

For assistance visit safework.sa.gov.au/freeadvice or call 1300 365 255 10 of 10