Griffith Safe and Well ; General H&S Inspection Checklist

• Document No.

• Audit Title

• Client / Site

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

Introductions

• Workplace inspections are a way of identifying hazards in the workplace. Inspections also provide a system to monitor whether the risks associated with the hazards are adequately controlled. All elements must conduct a thorough workplace inspection at least annually. The identification of hazards and management of risks is a requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and other related legislation.

Instructions

• This checklist serves as a guide for evaluation of office environments and associated spaces (including public spaces, kitchen areas, storerooms, meeting rooms, delivery areas and hot desks) under your team's responsibility.

• Note there is a separate checklist available for specialist hazards/areas including laboratories, machine/workshops, chemicals, biological, radiation, nursing, and drama/music/film and television studios. Visit the Griffith Safe & Well website.

• A team approach should be adopted (at least 2 members), with possible members including a Team Leader, area representative, Local Health & Safety Contact (LHSC), or a person unfamiliar with the space .

• Familiarise yourself with the inspection criteria, make observations of the environment and work practices and talk to staff and students in the area about any issues that may arise during normal day-to-day activities.

• When looking for hazards, consider the interaction between the: work environment; plant, equipment or substances; work practices; and individuals.

• Fill in the inspection checklist as you go, recording your findings and observations.

• Corrective actions, responsible person/s and due dates must be assigned, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to address areas of non-compliance.

• For more assistance in completing this checklist, contact your Health and Safety Advisor, Technical Manager or Local Health & Safety Contact (LHSC).

• Further guidance on how to identify and manage risks in your work area is included in the Risk Management Guide on the Griffith Safe & Well site.

• Completed inspections are to be forwarded to the Head of School/Manager/Team Leader for sign-off and then uploaded to Gsafe for review and audit purposes.

Emergency Response

• Are emergency exits clearly signed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency exits adequately illuminated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency exits unobstructed for the full width of the Exit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are Emergency Contact Signs displayed in prominent locations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are current Emergency Evacuation Sign Diagrams displayed in prominent locations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fire response equipment available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fire response equipment clearly signed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fire response equipment unobstructed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire extinguishers secured to wall?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire extinguishers inspected and tagged within last 6 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the First Aid Kit clearly identified and easily accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Environment

• Is lighting adequate and appropriate to the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area free from glare and shadows minimised?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the temperature and ventilation adequate /comfortable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are air conditioning vents and intakes free from dust build up?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there any visible evidence of mould (eg on air conditioning vents, windows, blinds, furniture, equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area free from odour?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area free from distracting or disruptive noises?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a raised voice needed to communicate with someone a metre away?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• (If yes, contact your H&S Advisor for advice on conducting a noise assessment)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where a noise assessment has identified hazardous noise levels, is hearing protection available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• And mandatory hearing protection signs displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• And the wearing of hearing protection enforced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Housekeeping

• Is the area tidy and kept well?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are floor coverings even and in good condition? Are they free of slip hazards and trip hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are walkways uncluttered and unobstructed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there enough space to work safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate storage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are items safely stored so they are not at risk of falling or causing injury?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are waste disposal bins/facilities available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are stairs free of trip and slip hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are slip-resistant treads on stairs intact and handrails secure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are stored chemicals signed/labelled appropriately? (check kitchen, stationery cupboards and other storage areas)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If required, are Safety Data Sheets for chemicals accessible and dated within last 5 years?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Amenities

• Is a separate employee lunch room/space provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are tables and food preparation areas clean and well kept?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are microwave ovens and fridges clean and in good working order?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are microwave ovens located between hip and shoulder height to minimise spills/scalds?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are toilet facilities clean and stocked appropriately?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Equipment

• Is equipment safely and securely placed on desks/work benches?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is equipment in good working order?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is common use equipment situated clear of workstations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate workspace around equipment for safe operation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are photocopiers/MFD's located in well ventilated areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are tools and equipment stored in their proper place when not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If required, Is PPE readily available and well maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• And is mandatory PPE signage displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• And is the wearing of PPE enforced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are plugs, sockets, switches and power boards in good order?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are electrical cords situated/ secured to prevent trip hazards (including under desks)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are electrical leads protected from damage/liquids?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do permanent electrical appliances have their own outlet?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are electrical appliances in good operational condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is power board and extension cord use kept to a minimum?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the use of double adaptors and piggy back plugs prohibited?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is electrical equipment testing and tagging up to date (check date on test tag)*?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Manual Tasks

• Are frequently used items within easy access between knee and shoulder height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are heavy items stored at waist height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are step ladders or safe steps readily available to access items stored on high shelves?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are mechanical aids (eg trolleys) readily available and used when required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are mechanical aids appropriate for the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are mechanical aids in good working order?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient space for all tasks to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are frequent breaks taken from repetitive tasks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Workstation Ergonomics (also applies to hot desks)

• Is work height appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chairs fully adjustable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient leg room to allow proper access to workstation and symmetrical posture?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are footrests provided where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are document holders available if needed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is screen based equipment adjustable and located to prevent glare / shadows?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other hazards identified? (List details)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Other Comments

• Other Comments

  Yes

  No

  N/A