UTS Office and General Work Area Safety Inspection Checklist V23-3-2017

• Document No.

• Conducted on

  Date

• Area to be inspected<br>

  TEST.test

  PMO.office

  HRU.floor

  SSU.bulga

  DAB.office

• Specific Location

• Name of person completing the checklist

• Email of person submitting checklist (for email notification)

• Names of personnel involved in inspection

• This checklist covers the health and safety procedures expected in offices and general work areas (i.e. NOT laboratories and workshops). The checklist should be completed at least annually.
  https://staff.uts.edu.au/topichub/Pages/Doing%20my%20job/Safety%20and%20wellbeing/Preventing%20injury%20and%20illness/Work%20environments/work-environments.aspx#tab2

Office equipment

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Is equipment such as photocopiers, printers etc. located at a reasonable distance from staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Review relocation options. Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Has broken or faulty equipment been disposed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Central Services for disposal on ext. 7485

• Are guillotines and shredders operated safely and regularly maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Make manufacturers advice regarding the safe operation of machines used in your area readily available to staff. If required, develop and display safe work procedures.

Slips and trips

• Tick if this category is NOT applicable.

• Do floors have even surfaces (no lifted carpet or holes)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are stair treads in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are walkways free of trip hazards (e.g. electrical cords and other clutter)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move or secure the offending cord or obstruction.

Lighting

• Tick if this category is NOT applicable.

• Is the lighting appropriate for the task(s) being undertaken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are window coverings available to minimise glare and reflection on computer screens?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are lighting covers and fittings secure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are corridors, walkways and work areas adequately lit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

Storage

• Tick if this category is NOT applicable.

• Is storage adequate and convenient and free of rubbish?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise storage areas if possible. If this is not possible, consider providing more space or reduce the amount stored.

• Are frequently used and heavier items stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise storage areas to put frequently used and heavier items at correct height.

• Is stored material secured to prevent shifting/falling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise storage areas if possible. If this is not possible, consider providing more space or reduce the amount stored.

• Are stepladders or safe steps available to access items stored on high shelves?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Consult with staff to determine the type of steps needed, and then purchase it.
  Inform staff of step location.

Kitchen Areas

• Tick if this category is NOT applicable.

• Are sinks and food preparations clean?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Is the area free from pests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are the safety devices on Zip taps functioning correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are microwaves, stoves and other appliances positioned at suitable height, clean and operational?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are portable plug-in kitchen equipment (e.g. toasters and kettles) tested and tagged and cords free from damage?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are refrigerators clean, hygienic and de-frosted and regularly cleared of old leftover food?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Schedule regular cleaning of kitchen area.

• Are dishwashers or adequate manual washing facilities available and regularly cleared / cleaned?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Schedule regular cleaning of kitchen area.

• Are all cleaning products stored separately from foodstuffs?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise so stored correctly.

• Are all utensils, equipment and other items stored adequately?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise so stored correctly.

• Is rubbish disposed of appropriately (re-cycling provided where applicable)?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Central Services for disposal on ext. 7485.

Working Alone or Out of Hours

• Do all staff required to work outside normal working hours know about after-hours access, air conditioning and security arrangements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Inform staff of procedures in place in your work area.

Other Work Environment

• Tick if this category is NOT applicable.

• Is temperature and airflow in the area adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Is the area free from odours?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Is noise level acceptable/adequately controlled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Is furniture in good repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

• Are toilet facilities accessible and clean and adequately controlled?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or submit online Maintenance Request.

Manual Handling

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Is work organised to limit unnecessary or excessive bending and the need to transport heavy loads?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Redesign the work area or work, or email Safety and Wellbeing for advice.

• Is there adequate space for tasks to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Redesign the work area or work, or email Safety and Wellbeing for advice.

• Are trolleys available for transporting heavy loads? Is the trolley/s in good repair? Is the trolley storage location relayed to staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Consult with staff to determine the type of trolley needed, and then purchase it. Inform staff of trolley location. Contact Safety and Wellbeing for advice.

• Is the “Tips for Manual Handling” poster on display?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Download "Tips for Manual Handling Poster" for Safety and Wellbeing website

• Are frequently used and heavier items stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move heavy items to appropriate height

• Is stored material secured to prevent shifting/falling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Secure items against falling

• Have staff received appropriate training in manual handling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety and Wellbeing for advice

Computer and Workstation Setup

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Do staff know how to adjust their workstation, computer monitor and chair height for ergonomic comfort?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Refer to the Computer Comfort webpage on the Safety and Wellbeing website for guidance.

• Is information available to help staff (and students) set up their workstations and perform regular stretch breaks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Refer to the Computer Comfort webpage on the Safety and Wellbeing website for guidance.

Cash handling

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Has action been taken to eliminate cash handling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check the Financial Services Unit website for options.

• Have risk assessments been completed for all cash handling tasks and action taken to reduce the risk of robbery?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Security (City campus) on ext. 1169 to organise cash handling risk assessment assistance.

• Have staff handling cash been trained in robbery safety?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Refer to the Cash Handling webpage for frequency of training required. Contact Safety and Wellbeing for advice.

Electrical Safety

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Are electrical sockets and switches in good repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the Facilities Management website if review required.

• Are plug-in electrical equipment and electrical cords kept in good condition, away from exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive chemicals, physical abuse and dust?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Remove damaged equipment from use.

• Is there a schedule for testing and tagging plug-in electrical equipment and electrical cords?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety and Wellbeing for assistance on ext. 1063.

• Has the use of double-adaptors been eliminated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Replace double-adaptors with power boards.

Emergency Preparedness

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Are emergency evacuation procedures posted in the main work<br>areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Emergency Coordinator on ext. 7221

• Is the emergency telephone number ‘6’ clearly displayed (e.g. stickers on phones, coasters, phone lists etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Emergency Coordinator on ext. 7221

• Are there a sufficient number of trained emergency wardens?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Emergency Coordinator on ext. 7221

• Are the emergency wardens identified and available in an emergency?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Emergency Coordinator on ext. 7221

• Are staff aware of the Security number to be used in an emergency when an internal phone is not available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask staff to add the UTS Security Services phone number 1800 249 559 to their mobile phones’ contact list.

• Are fire extinguishers easily accessible and signposted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the Facilities Management website if review required.

• Check the tags attached to fire extinguishers and fire blankets - have these been inspected within the last six months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Essential Services Compliance Manager on ext. 4689

• Are overhead sprinklers and smoke detectors clear of obstructions, stores, etc.?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the Facilities Management website if review required.

• Is all emergency equipment functional (e.g. Exit signage illuminated, Fire Doors and Duress Alarms) operating correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the Facilities Management website if review required.

• Are the exit doors marked, clearly visible and clear of obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Clean up and/or contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476.

• Are the exit doors suitable for people with limited mobility?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext. 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the Facilities Management website if review required.

• Have all staff seen the ’Escape from UTS’ emergency evacuation video?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Send staff a reminder to view emergency evacuation video and refer to the UTS Security Services webpage.

Accidents/Incidents and First Aid

• Check if this category is NOT applicable.

• Are staff aware that hazards, accidents and incidents are reported using the Hazard and Incident Reporting Online (HIRO) system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Send them a reminder and refer to "Report an Accident or Incident" webpage.

• Is a First Aid Officer readily available during normal work hours, bearing in mind that all Security officers are first aid trained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check the First Aid Officer database.

• Are the contact details of First Aid Officers up to date on the First Aid posters?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check the First Aid Officer database.

• Are posters/notices indicating the contact details of the First Aid Officers displayed correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Update the details on all First Aid Officer signs. Additional posters and notices are available from First Aid webpage.

• Are the First Aid Officers keeping their first aid kit stocked and aware that they should never store medication (including Aspirin, Panadol or other headache preparations or pain killers of any kind)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask the First Aid Officers to order missing supplies using the order form available at the Order First Aid Supplies webpage.
  Dispose of any medication appropriately.

Person completing this inspection

• Name:

• Signature:

  Sign