HAZARD IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST

Issues/Areas to Consider
This list gives general guidance to the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) about possible
workplace health and safety hazards and issues. It is not intended to be exhaustive, nor will every item relate
to every workplace. You should conduct risk assessments for work tasks and manage the risks you find. You
must also ensure licensing and registrations are maintained as required by law.

Manual Tasks General Lighting  Plant is kept clean and adequately

 Are all hazardous manual tasks risks  Lighting levels appropriate for work guarded
managed as far as reasonably tasks, location of work, times when work  Starting and stopping devices clearly
practicable is performed and for access marked and within reach of operator
 Mechanical aids & other assistance are  Glare is minimised  Provision for storage of waste cut-offs
used where necessary  Light fittings clean & in good condition  Drip pans on floor to prevent spillage
 Tools and equipment are maintained on  Emergency lighting is operable  Adequate work space around machines
a regular basis as recommended by the and area kept clean and clutter free
manufacturer and records are kept Hazardous Chemicals
 Lighting levels are satisfactory
 Weight of goods are known  The risks to health and safety associated
with using, handling, generating or  No prolonged bending or stooping is
 Weights of loads & safe handling required to operate the machines
procedures are known by workers storing hazardous chemicals is managed
 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available  Operators adequately trained in the use
 Load size and weight is reduced if of machines and in safety procedures
possible eg smaller packaging for all chemicals, and provided to
workers  Necessary equipment for safe use of
 Wheeled equipment is fitted with large machinery is provided
wheels or a device such as a tug  Hazardous chemical register is complete
and available  Workers supervised so they are
 Hand tools are lightweight, purpose- following safety instructions
designed for the job and ergonomic in  All containers are labelled correctly
design  Unused or unnecessary chemicals are  Lockout procedures followed for
disposed of in a safe manner maintenance and repair
 Heavy tools used frequently are
suspended or counter balanced  Special storage conditions are followed  Vibration hazards controlled
 Tools and work items are operated or where applicable  Maintenance testing and inspection by a
placed in waist to shoulder range  Tasks are performed as per safety competent person
 Materials are placed near where they are instructions Electrical
to be used  Necessary equipment for safe use of  Portable equipment and leads tested
 Tilting work benches, spring loaded chemicals is provided (e.g. ventilation, andtagged or connected to Safety
surfaces, rotating turntables or jigs are PPE, safety shower) Switch as required
used  PPE is provided and maintained  No broken plugs, sockets or switches
 Workers can see displays, documents  Adequate ventilation is provided  No frayed or damaged leads
and information comfortably from the  Eye washes and showers are easily  Portable power tools in good condition
work position accessed when required
  No leads on floor where work may
Handles, levers and controls place the  Procedures exist for the safe clean-up of damage them
forearms in the handshake position spilt chemicals
  Emergency shut-down procedures in
Enough workspace is provided including  A Manifest of hazardous chemicals and place
knee and foot clearance placards displayed where applicable
 Workers can work and move around Noise
Asbestos
unobstructed  Noise levels at or below Leq(8h) 85
 An asbestos register and management
 Furniture and equipment such as work dB(A) or 140 dB(C) Peak
plan must be prepared for all workplaces
benches or chairs can be adjusted to suit
built before 31 December 2003  Hearing protection supplied if noise
each worker while sitting or standing cannot be controlled by any other way
 Work is varied between tasks  A copy of the register and plan must be  Audiometric testing of workers required
 Rest breaks are provided accessible to all workers and contractors when hearing protection is used to
 protect from the risk of hearing loss
 Sufficient staff are available to do the Asbestos must be labelled where
work including during peak periods reasonably practicable  Workers wear hearing protection in
 Work is self paced areas designated as hearing protection
Gas Bottles areas
Storage  Physically secured in an upright position
Ventilation
 Adequate storage for equipment and  Hoses in good state of repair
materials is provided close to where  Adequate natural ventilation
 Portable gas bottles mounted on
these are used appropriate trolley  Suitable local exhaust ventilation
provided where required in SDS
 Storage units eg racks, shelves etc. are  Appropriate storage location for cylinders
suitably designed to take the weight of  Air conditioning system inspected,
stored items, are stable, and are kept in Machinery (Plant) tested and maintained regularly
good condition  Manufacturer’s manuals are available  Thermal comfort maintained (consider
 Commonly used and heavy items are and recommendations followed humidity, temperature, air speed )
stored between mid thigh and shoulder  Plant design registration and/or plant  Suitable personal protective equipment
height registration is undertaken if required supplied and maintained where
 Storage above shoulder height or below  Risk assessments should be done when contaminants unable to be removed
knee height is only used for light or there is uncertainty about how a hazard  Intrinsically safe electrical fans and
infrequently used items. may result in injury or illness switches are used when exhausting
flammable gases and vapours

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Confined Spaces emptied regularly Office Environment/Computer Based Work
 A risk assessment and entry permit must  Suitable cleaning equipment provided  Workstation furniture and equipment is
be prepared by a competent person  Oily rags and combustible refuse are able to be adjusted to suit the worker
before entry kept in covered metal containers  Lighting is appropriate and glare is
 There must be signage, and a system to  Spill management procedures in place minimized
provide monitoring of the conditions and and suitable cleaning  Area around photocopiers well ventilated
continuous communication with a equipment/materials are provided to control ozone build up
standby person
 Regular cleaning systems in place  Air conditioning systems maintained and
 Specific controls to manage plant and including high pressure for build-ups cleaned regularly
services, atmosphere, flammable gases (inside/outside pathways)
and vapours and fire and explosion  Noise not intrusive to office workers
 Emergency response procedures are in First Aid  Storage areas kept orderly, with
place and are practised regularly  Workers have access to first aid appropriate storage for items
 Workers are given information training equipment and facilities Amenities
and instruction  Contents of the first aid kit decided using  Adequate number of toilets and hand
Scaffolding a risk assessment process washing facilities are available
 Edge protection installed  Contents of First Aid kits regularly  Drinking water available and accessible
checked to see if adequate for the
 Guard rails in place workplace and not past expiry date  Adequate lunch facilities provided
 Erectors licensed  Emergency phone numbers displayed  Showers and washing facilities provided
 Slip resistant surface where necessary
 Workers have access to trained first aid
 Prefabricated Scaffolding requires plant personnel at all times Signs
design registration  First Aid Kits provided in vehicles  Suitable warning signs in place
Ladders  Procedure in place for managing blood  Exits clearly marked
 Industrial standard, capable of bearing at and body substances spills, blood and  Names of health and safety
least 120kg of weight body substances exposures and skin representatives clearly displayed
penetrating injuries
 In good state of repair Psychological Health
 First aiders are provided with adequate
 Made of non-conductive material if for or  Processes for preventing workplace
PPE and immunisation
near electrical work or installations harassment and/or bullying are in place
 Incidents notified to WHSQ as required
 Used safely  Risk assessment for occupational
 Ropes, pulleys and treads in a good Emergency Plans violence completed where necessary
state of repair  Emergency Plans are prepared,  Counselling and support services
implemented, tested and maintained. available for affected workers
Excavations
They include procedures to respond to  Workers not working alone or in isolation
 Barricading (at least 900mm high) in emergencies, inform emergency services where possible
place and communicate with all workers Security
 Shoring/benching/battering/geo-technical  The emergency plan must take into  Security measures in place
engineer approval in place where account the nature of work, nature of
excavation deeper than 1.5 metres hazards, size and location and the  Adequate lighting within and around
workplaces
 Safe access provided to and from number and composition of workers and
excavation others at the workplace  Car parks well lit and secure
Access/Walkways/Floors  Workers are given information, training Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 Designated access ways are clearly and instruction in the emergency  Provided by PCBU where hazard cannot
marked, adequately lit and are free from procedures be controlled in any other way.
obstructions and contaminants e.g. no  Fire wardens and floor wardens  Correct and appropriate PPE supplied.
electrical leads crossing walkways, items appointed for all parts of the workplace  PPE checked and maintained regularly.
not stored in access ways or in and their names displayed in their areas
stairwells, oil/grease removed from floors  Workers trained in correct use of PPE.
 Unobstructed vision at intersections  Fire extinguishers are suitable for all  PPE used in the correct manner.
flammable substances and are regularly  PPE worn by workers when required.
 Stairs are in good repair, non slip, fitted serviced and tagged
with handrails, have adequate foot space Managing Risk of Falls
and even step dimensions  Fire exits clearly marked and exit doors
easily opened and clear of obstructions  Manage risks from falls from one level to
 Ramps should be no more than 1:8 or another that are reasonably likely to
1:14 for disabled access, slip resistant  Fire alarm system functioning correctly
and tested regularly cause injury
and fitted with suitable railings
 Fire and emergency instructions  Where reasonably practical work on a
 Floor surfaces are well maintained, solid construction
smooth, non slip, and uncluttered documented and clearly displayed
Outdoor Work (Heat, UV Exposure)  Provide safe means of access and exit in
 Adequate drainage is provided in wet or on an elevated workplace, in the
areas  Minimise exposure to ultra-violet (UV)
vicinity of an opening or edge and on a
Work Benches radiation between 10am – 2pm
surface through which a person could fall
  Access to adequate cooled drinking
Kept clear of rubbish  Minimise the risk of falls by providing and
water
 Tools put away when not in use maintaining a safe system of work eg
 Access to adequate shaded rest facilities installing guard rails or an industrial rope
 No sharp edges on work benches
 Provision of suitable PPE for outdoor access system or fall-arrest system or a
Housekeeping work (including sunscreen) combination of the above
 Work areas are cleaned following use  Systems in place to manage heat stress  A fall- arrest system must include
 Bins located at suitable points and are and heat related illnesses emergency procedure.

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