H&S Workplace Checklist

• Site conducted

  Select

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

Asbestos

• Are any areas containing asbestos identified, marked and an up-to-date record kept?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is all the asbestos in good condition/sealed in and monitored?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the risk of exposure to asbestos dust and fibres been assessed and an up-to-date written record kept?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there arrangements in place to inform any contractors about any asbestos presence, or locations where it is not known if that area is clearof asbestos?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a plan for specialist removal of asbestos?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Chemicals

• Are all containers clearly labelled with contents, hazards warnings and the precautions to be taken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there safety data sheets for all chemicals including cleaning and other materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is training provided in safe use of chemicals and on what to do in an emergency (spillage, poisoning, splashing etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Cleanliness

• Are all work surfaces, walls and floors kept tidy and regularly cleaned?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Electrical Safety

• Are all electrical equipment, fittings, and tools regularly checked and maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to live high voltage equipment restricted to authorized people only?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fire Precautions

• Are there separate storage arrangements for flammable materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bins regularly emptied and rubbish safely disposed of?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cigarettes and matches disposed of separately from other rubbish?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are clear fire instructions displayed throughout the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have sources of ignition (portable heaters etc.) been replaced with safer alternatives?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire drills carried out regularly and at least once per year?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire alarms and smoke detectors checked and tested weekly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the alarms capable of warning employees throughout the building?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there other forms of fire warning for the hearing-impaired?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all employees given information, instruction and training on fire risks and precautions, as well as what to do in the event of a fire or fire alarm?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is emergency lighting provided and tested regularly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire escape routes clearly signed, kept clear and wide enough to prevent a crush, and do they lead quickly and directly to a safe area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire doors and exits clearly marked, kept clear on both sides at all times, never left open, and do they open easily and quickly in the direction of escape and lead quickly to a safe area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

First Aid, Accidents and Illness

• Is there a first aid box and is it fully equipped and accessible to staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a trained first aider or appointed person on the premises?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it clear who the first aider(s)/appointed person is/are and how they may be contacted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a clean and properly equipped first aid room available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all accidents, near misses and illnesses caused by work reported and recorded in an accident book?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Gas Safety

• Are gas appliances regularly checked and serviced by qualified people?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do staff know what to do if there is a gas leak?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Lighting

• Is the lighting bright enough, especially over workstations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are stairs and corridors etc properly lit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are light bulbs replaced promptly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are windows clean on both sides and free from obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Lifting and Manual Handling

• Have all staff who are at risk from lifting or moving been trained in manual handling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is mechanical equipment used whenever possible, have staff beentrained in its use, and is there enough space to use it?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where mechanical assistance is not possible, are staff trained in safe lifting techniques and is there enough space to use them?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are heavy items stored at a convenient or adjustable height to suit the user?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the weight of loads known and clearly marked, and are they small and light enough?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are unbalanced, uneven, slippery, sharp or too hot or too cold loads avoided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are loads securely packed to avoid them shifting or spilling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are work surfaces at a comfortable or adjustable height to suit the user and at compatible heights to reduce lifting from one to another?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is frequent or prolonged stooping, stretching or reaching above shoulder height, or sideways twisting of the body avoided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are lifting and handling needs included in patient/client care plans?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do uniforms, protective equipment and other clothing that is provided allow easy movement?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Machinery and Equipment

• Are all staff trained to use, clean and adjust equipment safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is all equipment regularly inspected and maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a procedure for reporting faulty equipment and for taking it out of use until repaired?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all guards in place on machinery?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are potentially dangerous machines only operated by properly trained staff aged 18 and over?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Noise

• Are noise levels below the recommended maximum (rough guide – you should be able to talk with someone a metre away without shouting)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have the causes of noise been tackled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• As a last resort, are suitable earmuffs or plugs provided, and are they regularly checked, cleaned and maintained, and stored in a clean and safe place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Overcrowding

• Is there enough space for staff to work safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Protective Clothing

• Is proper and appropriate protective clothing provided free of charge?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it effective, comfortable and well fitting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it replaced as soon as they are worn out or damaged?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are clean overalls provided regularly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Slips, Trips and Falls

• Are floors and stairs in good condition, free from obstructions and nonslip?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are spills cleared up immediately?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is non-slip footwear provided free of charge where needed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all staircases have securely fixed handrails?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are trailing leads and cables secured or covered?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there enough storage space?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a risk assessment been done on all work from heights and are the measures required being implemented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Stress

• Do risk assessments include stress?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has your employer done a stress audit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there measures in place to avoid or minimise the risk?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the employer introduced the HSE Stress Management Standards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Temperature (Working Indoors)

• Is the temperature comfortable all year?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the temperature reach at least 16°C within one hour of starting work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can breaks be taken away from hot areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Temperature (Working Outdoors)

• Is warm clothing provided in cold weather?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there facilities for warming up and making hot drinks when cold?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• In hot conditions, is cool drinking water provided and can breaks be taken in the shade?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the work be organised so that it takes place in the shade or not during mid-day when the sun is at its strongest?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Toilets, Wash and Rest Facilities

• Are there enough toilets, and are they clean and in good repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are washing facilities (hot water, soap and towels) provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are sanitary disposal facilities provided in women’s toilets?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are lockers (or something similar) provided for staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a rest room, and is it clean, properly lit, and ventilated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there suitable facilities for pregnant and nursing mothers to rest?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there facilities for workers to eat meals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ventilation

• Are fumes, steam and stale air removed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a supply of fresh air without draughts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are special precautions taken when working in confined spaces?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

VDUs (Computer Users)

• Are workstations and seating fully adjustable, and are staff trained and encouraged to make adjustments?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does seating give proper back support?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are footrests provided where needed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is furniture and equipment checked and maintained regularly, with faulty items taken out of service and replaced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can users easily read screens, and are they flicker and glare free?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pace of work comfortable and can breaks be taken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are users offered full free eye tests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are reports of aches, pains, numbness or tingling in limbs investigated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the work free from awkward postures, movements and very repetitive work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is training provided about the use of equipment, methods of work, and how to avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Violence

• Has a risk assessment on violence or the threat of violence been conducted (physical, verbal abuse or intimidation)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are they encouraged to report all incidents, including intimidation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there preventive measures in place to avoid or minimise the risk?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there panic buttons, do they work, and are they quickly and reliably responded to?If name badges are worn are only forenames given?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a policy and procedure for home visits, lone working and community based working, and is this work avoided if it is unsafe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is information about potential incidents or clients which may present a risk passed on?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If staff have to make home visits or work through an isolated or threatening area, do they have alarms?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can public waiting areas be improved to reduce tension and stress?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can appointments be arranged to avoid long waiting times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do interview rooms allow easy escape whilst giving privacy to the client?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff trained in what to do and how to diffuse potentially/violent situations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is counselling and support for the victims and witnesses of violence provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A