Small Business Health and Safety Checklist

Use the Small Business Health and Safety Checklist to assess hazards, safety protocols, and employee well-being, ensuring a safe business environment.

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Health & Safety
Small Business Health and Safety Checklist

Environment

Equipment, Machinery, And Tools

Job Safety

Hazardous Manual Handling

Electricity

Chemicals

Welding And Cutting

Confined Spaces

Work At Heights

Emergency Procedures And First Aid

Incident Reporting

1. Do you keep a register of employee injuries that includes the following: • Name • Age • Address • Time and date of injury • Cause of injury • Witnesses to the injury • Date you were notified of the injury • Name of person completing the register

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Return To Work

Managing Safety

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Checklist by GoAudits.com – Please note that this checklist is intended as an example. We do not guarantee compliance with the laws applicable to your territory or industry. You should seek professional advice to determine how this checklist should be adapted to your workplace or jurisdiction.

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Small Business Health and Safety Checklist

Use the Small Business Health and Safety Checklist to assess hazards, safety protocols, and employee well-being, ensuring a safe business environment.

1. Is the workplace clean and tidy?

2. Is there ample storage for equipment, tools, samples, stock, ingredients, and products?

3. Are all pipes labeled, have enough support, and have no leaks, drips, or corrosion?

4. Are work areas safe from protruding sharp edges or objects?

5. Is there enough light for people to do each task safely and without eye strain or glare?

6. Is there adequate air and ventilation to ensure good air quality?

7. Is the workplace at a comfortable working temperature?

8. Are adequate amenities (toilets, dining area) provided?

9. Are walkways and stairs kept clear and safe?

10. Does the workplace pose a risk of injury due to slips, trips, and falls?

11. Is it safe for employees when entering and leaving the building or worksite?

12. Can people move safely around traffic areas?

1. Is the correct equipment used for the job?

2. When appropriate, have cordless power tools been considered on the worksite to reduce potential incidents?

3. Have operators of tools, equipment, and machinery been trained in their use?

4. Are stop/start switches clearly marked and in easy reach of an operator?

5. Do you safely store waste, particularly if near machinery and equipment?

6. Is there adequate workspace around machinery?

7. Are tools, equipment, and machinery regularly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions?

8. Is there a process to ensure all tools, equipment, and machinery are turned off prior to maintenance and cleaning?

9. Does this process ensure tools, equipment, and machinery cannot be turned on by others during maintenance and cleaning processes?

1. Are hazards discussed with employees for each task, including hazardous manual handling tasks?

2. Are there instructions or procedures?

3. Do you ensure people who enter your workplace are not exposed to risk? Are employees protected from abusive or dangerous behavior?

1. Has training and information been given to employees on how to recognize hazardous manual handling?

2. Have all tasks involving hazardous manual handling been identified?

3. Have you identified solutions by considering improvements in the work area, the system of work, the objects being handled, and the equipment to do the task?

4. Have you considered if mechanical aids could control the risk?

5. When you introduce a new solution, do you ensure it does not create another risk?

1. Do you have any faulty or damaged electrical plugs, sockets, switches, or electrical leads?

2. Are electrical leads and power boards checked and tagged as safe?

3. Is the location of powerlines and cables checked before digging, drilling, using cranes, or other similar work?

4. Are non-conductive portable ladders used near electrical equipment or powerlines?

1. Is there an up-to-date list of all hazardous substances stored and used?

2. Do you have information about these hazardous substances?

3. Are MSDS and SDS readily available to employees?

4. Are all hazardous substances, medications, and containers clearly labeled?

5. Have all employees received training and instruction on the safe use, handling, transport, and storage of all hazardous substances?

6. Is there good airflow and removal of fumes from areas where chemicals are used?

7. Are hazardous substances stored in accordance with the MSDS and SDS?

8. Are gas cylinders kept upright, away from heat and ignition sources, and only transported in vehicle cabins with a vented compartment?

9. Are empty gas cylinders stored upright in an area clearly marked ‘empty cylinders’?

10. Are hazardous substances disposed of in accordance with the MSDS and SDS?

11. Do you ensure there is no risk of infection from animals, humans (blood and body fluid), waste, or rubbish?

12. Do booths used for inside spray painting meet AS 4114:1 (Spray painting booths, designated spray-painting areas, and paint mixing rooms)?

13. All spraying of herbicides and pesticides is only undertaken by trained people?

14. Are warning signs displayed near outdoor spraying work?

15. Is the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) used for spraying?

1. Are welding and cutting tasks only done by trained people? Is the correct PPE provided, maintained, and worn by employees?

2. Is the risk of fire and explosion controlled?

3. Are welding and cutting equipment, cables, and compressed gas cylinders checked for defects, rust, and leakage?

1. Have all confined spaces been identified?

2. Are there permits for entering or working in a confined space?

3. Are only trained people with a confined space entry permit able to enter a confined space?

1. Have all tasks to be done at height been identified?

2. Has fall prevention been put in place?

3. Are stock, materials, and displays stored or stacked at an easily reachable height or are ladders or steps required?

4. Do you ensure unstable or inappropriate objects are not used?

5. Are ladders or steps used incorrectly?

1. Are there procedures to cover emergencies such as fire, explosion, chemical spill, flood, medical emergency, machinery accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and robbery?

2. Have those in charge of emergency situations, such as floor wardens, fire wardens, and first aid officers been trained?

3. Are exit and assembly points accessible?

4. Are evacuation plans and staff in charge of emergency situations on display in a prominent area?

5. Do exit doors open easily from inside, including cold storeroom doors?

6. Do you hold regular emergency drills?

7. Is all emergency equipment in place and working?

8. Do you understand the requirement to notify appropriate authorities immediately after becoming aware of a serious injury or incident?

9. Are first aid officers appropriately trained?

10. Are these qualifications maintained?

11. Do your employees know who and where your first aid officers are?

12. Do you keep records of first aid provided?

1. Do you keep a register of employee injuries that includes the following: • Name • Age • Address • Time and date of injury • Cause of injury • Witnesses to the injury • Date you were notified of the injury • Name of person completing the register

2. Following an incident, do you review and revise your risk control measures?

1. Do you know when to appoint a return to work (RTW) coordinator?

2. Are claims for workers’ compensation lodged with your agent within the required timeframe of receiving them?

1. Is there a process for consulting employees about health and safety issues?

2. Do employees know how to report health and safety issues?

3. Do you consider safety when buying or leasing equipment or machinery?