WHS general work area hazard identification, risk assessment and control checklist

College/Division Building Room / Area

Inspected by Date of inspection

Workplace Safety Inspections Procedures.

1. To use this form you must look at each item and tick the box if there is not a problem.
2. If you find a problem put a cross (x) in the box and describe the problem.
3. Determine the level of risk using the risk assessment table for guidance.
4. Complete a risk control plan in relation to each hazard identified to determine whether the hazard and associated risk can be
eliminated, substituted, isolated or engineered out before you consider the lower order control measures of administrative controls
or personal protective equipment. Number each Risk Control Plan and file with this form for future reference and audits.
5. Fill in your WHS Risk Register, take action to control hazards and send a copy of the WHS Risk Register to your
College/Portfolio Health and Safety Committee. If you have not completed all actions you must follow up later and send a
further WHS Risk Register to the Committee when all jobs are completed.
6. Keep this Checklist with your records for future reference and audits. Do not send this Checklist to the Committee.
Entered
Item Inspected Risk
Describe the problem on Risk
Level Register
AISLES/CORRIDORS
Clear of materials and rubbish? 
Adequately lit? 

STAIRS AND LANDINGS

Emergency Exit signage functioning? 
No worn or damaged treads or hand rails? 
Landings clear of obstructions? 
Is lighting adequate? 
FLOORS
Even surface - no holes, cracks or lifting tiles, carpet? 
Floors clean and clear of obstructions? 
Are there any slippery surfaces? 
WORK SPACES / MACHINES 
Adequate work space (floor space)? 
Area tidy and uncluttered? 
Computer work stations set up according to
Ergonomic design 
Computer screens located to minimise tired eyes? 
(i.e. they don't look directly toward or away from window.)
Photocopying equipment located in ventilated area? 
FURNITURE 
Do ladders used for work at heights meet Aust Standards? 
Are trolleys provided to move boxes/equipment etc? 
Are filing cabinets stable (not over loaded) 
Are desks/benches stable and suitable for the work? 
Are copy holders needed at any work stations? 
Are computer keyboards at the right height? 
Are chairs stable and in good condition? 
Are work station chairs adjustable for height and tilt? 
Are footrests available at work stations if required? 
LIGHTING
Is lighting adequate for the work area? 
Are there any flickering or expired lights? 

 If further assessment is required, use the Basic Workstation Checklist.

704918583.doc Page 1 of 5
 WHS general work area hazard identification, risk assessment and control checklist

College/Division Building Room / Area

Inspected by Date of inspection

Risk Entered on
Item Inspected Describe the problem
Level Risk Register
STORAGE
Storage adequate and convenient and free of rubbish? 
Bookshelves not overloaded or leaning forward? 
Are heavy items stored at waist height? 
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Electrical appliances & leads, tested & tagged and current? 
No unprotected leads over traffic or access ways? 
No broken plugs, sockets or switches? 
No frayed cords? 
No double adaptors in use? 
ROOM HEATERS /AIRCONDITIONERS
Are heating/cooling units effective for the work area? 
Are heaters in good working condition? 
Are heaters situated clear of flammable items? 
Have bar heaters been replaced with safer heaters? 
RUBBISH AND RECYCLING
Bins emptied regularly? 
Recyclable materials stored safely? 
HYGIENE
Are emergency numbers (poison etc) displayed? 
Common rooms clean and tidy? 
Are food preparation areas clean and hygienic? 
Are fridges and food storage areas kept clean & hygienic? 
Adequate drinking, washing facilities, soap and towels? 
Adequate and clean toilet facilities / supplies? 
FIRE SAFETY
Does the work area have a fire warden? 
Fire extinguishers been tested, tagged and current? 
Does area require fire blanket? 
Are fire, and sprinkler heads clear of obstructions? 
Clear instructions displayed for evacuation? 
Adequate direction signs for emergency exits? 
Access to all fire safety equipment unobstructed? 
Correct operation of fire doors? 
Fire doors and emergency exits clear of obstruction? 
FIRST AID
Are First aid signs clearly displayed? 
Are First aid kits and their contents clean orderly
and adequately stocked and not expired? 
Do kits have contact details for the nearest First Aider
and emergency personnel clearly displayed? 

704918583.doc Page 2 of 5
 WHS general work area hazard identification, risk assessment and control checklist

College/Division Building Room / Area

Inspected by Date of inspection

HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

If you are assessing hazards in an office/common room environment please note that where consumer products like
dishwashing/cleaning chemicals are used only in ways and quantities consistent with household use and in a way that is incidental to
the work carried out by a person, you do not need to list these on a Register, nor undertake a risk assessment or have an SDS
available.

If you are assessing hazards in a small laboratory or workshop where chemicals are used all of the Chemical Safety matters on
this page should be answered.

Risk
Item Inspected Any further comments?
Level
CHEMICAL SAFETY Ask your local WHS Officer about Safety
Are all chemicals correctly labeled and stored?  Data Sheets.

Are Safety Data Sheets and Risk 

Assessments available for all chemicals?

Are emergency numbers (poison etc) displayed? 

Has your WHS Officer been notified of 
discontinued chemicals?
Has your WHS Officer been notified of 
new chemicals purchased?

Is a copy of your area’s chemical inventory 

available in the laboratory/workshop?
Is there adequate ventilation for fumes and dust? 
Provision of fume cupboards for testing & analysis? 
Provision of appropriate personal protective 
equipment and clothing?
Provision of emergency eye wash, antidotes for 
poisons, showers etc. as appropriate?

704918583.doc Page 3 of 5
 WHS general work area hazard identification, risk assessment and control checklist

Hazard Identification / Risk Rating Checklist

Using the checklist
The checklist is used by inspection teams – the manager/supervisor/staff.

The checklist is used to identify hazards and determine the level of risk of each hazard.

If an item is fine, tick the box

If an item requires attention place an X in the box

Record the level of risk as H (High) M (Medium) or L (Low).

Use the table below to determine the level of risk and transfer this information to the Risk Register.

Determining the Risk Level

You only need to do this for items that need attention.

The level of risk is a combination of the Likelihood that the hazard will cause an accident and the probable consequence if it does
occur.
Ranking Risk Factors by Likelihood Ranking Risk Factors by Consequence
Expected to occur in most May cause death and/or severe irreversible
Very Likely Fatality
circumstances disability, and/or permanent ill health
Will probably occur in most
Consequence
Likely Major Severe injury or illness
circumstances
Minor (usually reversible) injury or illness Control Hierarchy
Possible Might occur occasionally Minor
resulting in days off work Elimination Remove hazard
Unlikely Could happen at some time
Likelihood First Aid First aid level medical treatment
Very Highly Substitution Use a less hazardous alternative
Highly May happen Likely
only in exceptional Possible Unlikely
likely unlikely
Negligible No treatment required Eg. Restrict access, use in a closed
Unlikely circumstances Isolation
Fatality Extreme High High High Medium container, fume cabinet
Eg. Trolleys to move loads, guards on
Major injury High High High Medium Medium Engineering
machinery, Fume cupboard
Minor injury High Medium Medium Medium Medium Eg. Training, Safe Work Procedure,
Administration
signage
First aid Medium Medium Medium Low Low PPE - Personal
Negligible Medium Medium Low Low Low Protective Eg: Gloves, respirator, safety glasses
Equipment

Prioritising Risks
Risk Timeframe for implementation
Priority Action
Level of corrective action
The activity should cease immediately and
Extreme 1 short term safety controls implemented. Immediate
Notify manager and assess activity.
Implement short term safety measures
High 2 immediately. Within 24 hours
Notify manager and assess activity.
Implement short term safety controls. Notify
Medium 3 Within 14 days
manager and assess activity.
Within 28 days (if possible) or
Implement long term safety controls. demonstrate that it is not
Low 4
Notify manager and assess activity. reasonably practicable to achieve
further minimization of the risk

See Work Health and Safety Risk Management Policy for further details.

The next step

If you are able to fix the problem please do so and use the “comments” column to indicate that it has been attended to.

704918583.doc Page 4 of 5
 WHS general work area hazard identification, risk assessment and control checklist
Fill in your WHS Risk Register, take action to control hazards and send a copy of the WHS Risk Register to your College/Portfolio
Health and Safety Committee. If you have not completed all actions you must follow up later and send a further WHS Risk Register
to the Committee when all jobs are completed.

704918583.doc Page 5 of 5