WORKPLACE INSPECTION CHECKLIST

The following is not an exhaustive list but a framework to guide workplace inspections. Each workplace may wish to
develop a site specific checklist. For review of workplace safety systems use the OHS self assessment tool.

Team Members:

________________________________________________________________________________________

Date of Inspection: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Location (e.g. General Assistant’s Area/Workroom/Art room): ____________________________________________________

* Further action required: (i) Risk Management Plan (ii) Hazard Report form (iii) Incident Investigation (iv) Other

Acceptable Immediate Further Date

Date to be
action action signed
Y N completed
taken required* off
Thoroughfares (access and egress)
Pathways/walkways/stairs/ramps and access areas clear
of rubbish and obstructions
Pathways/walkways are slip free. Surfaces are even, free
of holes, cracks, fraying or uplifted edges
Slip resistant materials or absorbent mats used in wet
areas
Steps/stairs/ramps/handrails are secure and in good
repair
Electrical cables/cords kept clear of walkways or secured
Exit and egress points clearly identified and accessible
Other:
Office environment (workstations and surrounding areas)
Ergonomic furniture is appropriately adjusted e.g.
keyboards, chairs
Furniture is well maintained and in good/safe condition
Desks and benches stable and suitable for the work
Materials are stored appropriately e.g. not on floor
around work areas
Staff use good housekeeping practices around their work
areas
Sufficient space is provided around workstations so staff
can move and work safely
Walkways and aisles are clear of obstructions
Floor mats do not present trip hazards
Lifting aids are available where required
Electrical equipment is in good working order
Electrical leads are secured to prevent trip hazards
Adequate ventilation in all areas
Other:

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Storage
Storerooms and storage areas are tidy and free from
obstruction
Stored materials are secured appropriately to prevent
them falling
Heavy equipment is stored at waist level
Storage areas are accessible and free from trip hazards
Shelving is stable and well maintained
Other:

Acceptable Immediate Further Date

Date to be
action action signed
Y N completed
taken required* off
Electrical
All power boards have an overload switch
Portable power leakage circuits checked and functioning
correctly
All electrical cables free of possible contact with water or
other conductors
Double adaptors are not used in conjunction with other
double adaptors or extension leads
No leads placed where subject to damage e.g. heat or
cutting
No broken plugs, sockets or switches
Other:
Master controls – whole workplace
Perimeter fences and safety barriers in place and
maintained
Access by delivery vehicles and other vehicles safe for
pedestrians
Rubbish is stored appropriately and removed regularly
Building/renovation areas and contained debris are
controlled through effective barriers against unauthorised
access
Other:
Bathrooms and toilets
Adequate and clean toilet facilities and supplies
Toilets provided for people with disability
Toilet and bathroom facilities cleaned regularly
Paper towels or air dryers available and working
Toilet paper available with spare rolls readily accessible
Sanitary towel disposal units in female toilets
Facilities well ventilated

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Other:
Canteen
Appropriate hand washing facilities are available
Safety guidelines/rules are clearly displayed
To prevent slips and trips, all areas are kept clean and
free of waste or obstructions
Access to canteen equipment is restricted to relevant
staff
Other:
Hygiene
Common rooms clean and tidy
Food preparation areas clean and hygienic
Fridges and food storage areas kept clean and hygienic
Adequate drinking facilities
Other:
Room heaters, air conditioners and ventilation
Heating and cooling units effective for the work area
Heaters in good working condition
Heaters situated clear of flammable items
Photocopiers are placed in well ventilated areas
Other:

Acceptable Immediate Further Date

Date to be
action action signed
Y N completed
taken required* off
Plant, machinery and equipment
All fixed machines are secured on their mountings and
free from movement and vibration
Adequate workspace is marked around danger zones of
each item of plant to ensure safety
All machines and equipment have adequate guards fitted
as per manufacturers instructions
All items checked to ensure that guards have not been
modified and are being used effectively e.g. circular
saws, guillotines, lathes, tractors etc
Emergency cut-off switches operational and within close
proximity to users
Safety procedures, Standard operating Procedures and
related signage is prominently displayed
Areas around machines are kept clear of debris and
stacked material
Records of equipment inspection, maintenance and
repair are available
Other:
Hazardous substances (chemical safety)

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The hazardous substances register is up to date
MSDSs available to all staff online (ChemWatch website)
All chemicals are secured from unauthorised access
All chemicals are stored correctly according to MSDSs
and CSIS guidelines
Decanted chemicals are placed in suitable containers
and correctly labelled
Chemical storerooms are locked and signs prohibiting
unauthorised personnel from entering are in place
Only minimal quantities of chemicals are kept on site
Dangerous Goods licence checklist and declaration has
been completed
Spill kits are readily available to control chemical spills
All records on the acquisition, storage and disposal of
hazardous substances are maintained as per CSIS
Other:
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
All PPE is stored appropriately
All PPE is checked and maintained appropriately e.g.
cleaned or replaced as required
Sun Safety procedures and No Hat No Play policy is
practiced
Other:
Gas cylinders
Gas cylinders are secured from unauthorised access
Gas cylinders have expiry date stamp
Cylinders are in good condition i.e. no rusting, damage
Other:

Acceptable Immediate Further Date

Date to be
action action signed
Y N completed
taken required* off
Technology learning environment
PPE is supplied appropriate to the task and the user
Plant, equipment and furniture arranged to allow safe
movement within the area
Dust or fume extraction equipment connected to all
appropriate equipment and serviced regularly
Ventilation systems such as windows and fans
functioning correctly
Darkrooms have fume extraction systems and
photographic chemicals are correctly labelled
Safety screens for welding etc are accessible and in

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good condition
Other:
Housekeeping
All work spaces are clear, tidy and free of obstruction
and waste
All displays, hanging or posted, are without risk
Appropriate aids available for work being carried out e.g.
steps/ladders, trolleys
OHS Corporate Policy is displayed on staff
noticeboard(s)
OHS Consultation Statement is displayed
List of OHS Committee Members or OHS Representative
is displayed
Minutes of OHS Committee Meetings is displayed in staff
room
The Reporting OHS Incidents and Injuries brochure is
displayed in staff rooms
Dignity and Respect Charter is displayed in staff areas
EAP information and brochures are displayed and
available to staff
WorkCover “Watching out for you” poster is displayed
Other:
First aid
First Aid Plan is displayed on noticeboard(s)
First aid arrangements are displayed, including name
and location of first aid officer
Appropriate first aid kits are available and easily
accessible with signs clearly visible
A current record of all first aid treatment is kept
First aid room, sick bay or clinic is available
First aid arrangements are displayed, including name
and location of first aid officer
First aid kits are checked regularly to ensure they are
clean, orderly, fully stocked and not expired
Standard precautions for infection control are displayed
and hand washing facilities are available
Medication associated with student health care are
securely stored
Other:

Acceptable Immediate Further Date

Date to be
action action signed
Y N completed
taken required* off

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Emergency management
Emergency Management Plan and procedures are
displayed on noticeboard(s)
Emergency evacuation exercise is undertaken in
accordance with the Emergency Management plan
Emergency lockdown is practiced in accordance with the
Emergency Management Plan
Alarm is audible throughout the workplace
Emergency numbers are clearly displayed
Bomb threat procedures are displayed appropriately
Entrances and exits are clearly identified and kept free of
obstruction
Emergency equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers) is located
appropriately and regularly tested and tagged to ensure
it’s in good working order
Emergency numbers (Poisons hotline etc) displayed
Other:
Fire safety
Access to all fire safety equipment unobstructed
Fire extinguishers mounted on the wall, signs located
above them, fully charged and accessible
Emergency equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers) has been
tested, tagged and current
Fire blanket required
Fire and sprinkler heads clear of obstructions
Clear instructions displayed for evacuation
Adequate direction signs for emergency exits
Fire doors and emergency exits clear of obstruction
Correct operation of fire doors
Other:

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