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 guarded
◻ Lighting levels appropriate for work
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
a regular basis as recommended by the ◻ Emergency lighting is operable ◻ Adequate work space around machines
manufacturer and records are kept and area kept clean and clutter free
Hazardous Chemicals
◻ Weight of goods are known ◻ Lighting levels are satisfactory
◻ The risks to health and safety associated
◻ Weights of loads & safe handling with using, handling, generating or ◻ No prolonged bending or stooping is
procedures are known by workers storing hazardous chemicals is managed required to operate the machines
◻ Load size and weight is reduced if ◻ Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available ◻ Operators adequately trained in the use
possible eg smaller packaging for all chemicals, and provided to of machines and in safety procedures
◻ Wheeled equipment is fitted with large workers ◻ Necessary equipment for safe use of
wheels or a device such as a tug ◻ Hazardous chemical register is complete machinery is provided
◻ Hand tools are lightweight, purpose- and available ◻ Workers supervised so they are
designed for the job and ergonomic in ◻ All containers are labelled correctly following safety instructions
design ◻ Unused or unnecessary chemicals are ◻ Lockout procedures followed for
◻ Heavy tools used frequently are disposed of in a safe manner maintenance and repair
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
placed in waist to shoulder range ◻ Tasks are performed as per safety a 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, and tagged 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
work position ◻ Eye washes and showers are easily ◻ Portable power tools in good condition
accessed when required
◻ Handles, levers and controls place the ◻ No leads on floor where work may
forearms in the handshake position ◻ Procedures exist for the safe clean-up of damage them
spilt chemicals
◻ Enough workspace is provided including ◻ Emergency shut-down procedures in
knee and foot clearance ◻ A Manifest of hazardous chemicals and place
placards displayed where applicable
◻ Workers can work and move around Noise
unobstructed Asbestos
◻ Noise levels at or below Leq(8h) 85
◻ Furniture and equipment such as work ◻ An asbestos register and management dB(A) or 140 dB(C) Peak
benches or chairs can be adjusted to suit plan must be prepared for all workplaces
each worker while sitting or standing built before 31 December 2003 ◻ Hearing protection supplied if noise
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
◻ Sufficient staff are available to do the protect from the risk of hearing loss
◻ Asbestos must be labelled where
work including during peak periods ◻ Workers wear hearing protection in
reasonably practicable
◻ Work is self paced areas designated as hearing protection
Gas Bottles areas
Storage
◻ Physically secured in an upright position
◻ Adequate storage for equipment and Ventilation
◻ Hoses in good state of repair
materials is provided close to where ◻ Adequate natural ventilation
these are used ◻ Portable gas bottles mounted on
appropriate trolley ◻ Suitable local exhaust ventilation
◻ Storage units eg racks, shelves etc. are provided where required in SDS
suitably designed to take the weight of ◻ Appropriate storage location for cylinders
◻ 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
height ◻ Plant design registration and/or plant ◻ Suitable personal protective equipment
registration is undertaken if required supplied and maintained where
◻ Storage above shoulder height or below contaminants unable to be removed
knee height is only used for light or ◻ Risk assessments should be done when
infrequently used items. there is uncertainty about how a hazard ◻ Intrinsically safe electrical fans and
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 able to be adjusted to suit the worker
before entry ◻ Oily rags and combustible refuse are
kept in covered metal containers ◻ Lighting is appropriate and glare is
◻ There must be signage, and a system to minimized
provide monitoring of the conditions and ◻ Spill management procedures in place
continuous communication with a and suitable cleaning ◻ Area around photocopiers well ventilated
standby person equipment/materials are provided to control ozone build up
◻ Specific controls to manage plant and ◻ Regular cleaning systems in place ◻ Air conditioning systems maintained and
services, atmosphere, flammable gases including high pressure for build-ups cleaned regularly
and vapours and fire and explosion (inside/outside pathways) ◻ 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
◻ Guard rails in place checked to see if adequate for the
workplace and not past expiry date ◻ Adequate lunch facilities provided
◻ Erectors licensed ◻ Showers and washing facilities provided
◻ Emergency phone numbers displayed
◻ 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
◻ In good state of repair penetrating injuries
Psychological Health
◻ Made of non-conductive material if for or ◻ First aiders are provided with adequate
◻ Processes for preventing workplace
near electrical work or installations PPE and immunisation
harassment and/or bullying are in place
◻ Used safely ◻ Incidents notified to WHSQ as required
◻ 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
Excavations implemented, tested and maintained. available for affected workers
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
excavation deeper than 1.5 metres account the nature of work, nature of
hazards, size and location and the ◻ Adequate lighting within and around
◻ Safe access provided to and from number and composition of workers and workplaces
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
not stored in access ways or in appointed for all parts of the workplace ◻ PPE checked and maintained regularly.
stairwells, oil/grease removed from floors and their names displayed in their areas
◻ Workers trained in correct use of PPE.
◻ Unobstructed vision at intersections ◻ Fire extinguishers are suitable for all ◻ PPE used in the correct manner.
◻ Stairs are in good repair, non slip, fitted flammable substances and are regularly ◻ PPE worn by workers when required.
with handrails, have adequate foot space serviced and tagged
and even step dimensions ◻ Fire exits clearly marked and exit doors Managing Risk of Falls
◻ Ramps should be no more than 1:8 or easily opened and clear of obstructions ◻ Manage risks from falls from one level to
1:14 for disabled access, slip resistant ◻ Fire alarm system functioning correctly another that are reasonably likely to
and fitted with suitable railings and tested regularly cause injury
◻ Floor surfaces are well maintained, ◻ Fire and emergency instructions ◻ Where reasonably practical work on a
smooth, non slip, and uncluttered documented and clearly displayed solid construction
◻ Adequate drainage is provided in wet Outdoor Work (Heat, UV Exposure) ◻ Provide safe means of access and exit in
areas or on an elevated workplace, in the
◻ 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
◻ Kept clear of rubbish ◻ Access to adequate cooled drinking
◻ Minimise the risk of falls by providing and
◻ Tools put away when not in use water
maintaining a safe system of work eg
◻ No sharp edges on work benches ◻ Access to adequate shaded rest facilities installing guard rails or an industrial rope
◻ 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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