Free OHS Inspection Checklists & Templates

Template Library > Safety Inspections > Safety Inspections

This OHS checklist template helps you identify hazards and address occupational health and safety risks, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and promoting a secure working environment. Available for free in PDF or through our app.

Use OHS Inspections Checklists to Perform Thorough Safety Inspections

This OHS workplace inspection checklist is a comprehensive tool designed to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety standards. It offers a structured framework for performing regular inspections and maintaining a safe workplace. This OHS checklist can help organizations uphold high safety standards and take quick actions to prevent workplace incidents. It includes various aspects of the work environment, including:

Preventing unexpected movement and ensuring proper warning signage for defective equipment.
Safe equipment usage, risk of falling objects, proper posture and lifting techniques, and adequate rest breaks.
Rushing, unsafe driving practices, and throwing objects.
Load assessment, avoiding overcrowded workspaces, and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Environmental factors like temperature, ventilation, noise levels, housekeeping, and emergency equipment availability.
The condition and availability of tools, PPE, and safety documentation like SOPs and MSDS.
Adequate illumination, glare, and equipment maintenance and safety features.
The presence and effectiveness of safety guards and appropriate attire for the tasks and environment.
Clear communication, appropriate signage, and warnings for hazardous activities.

With the GoAudits Safety Inspection App, you can:

Lighting

Equipment

Safeguards

Clothing

Operating Without Authority And Failure To Warn

Failing To Secure

Unsafe Position Or Operations

Operating Or Working At An Unsafe Rate

Loading, Placing, Storing, Mixing Unsafely

Working Areas, Storage Areas, And Access Ways

Materials, Tools, And Protective Equipment

Lighting

Equipment

Safeguards

Clothing

Operating Without Authority And Failure To Warn

Failing To Secure

Unsafe Position Or Operations

Operating Or Working At An Unsafe Rate

Loading, Placing, Storing, Mixing Unsafely

Working Areas, Storage Areas, And Access Ways

Materials, Tools, And Protective Equipment

Save Time with Digital Inspections

What are OHS Inspection Checklists?

Occupational health and safety (OHS) inspection checklists are digital tools designed to systematically identify, assess, and document potential hazards within a workplace. These checklists help organizations ensure compliance with safety regulations and create a safe working environment. Using OHS checklist templates can enable organizations to maintain a consistent approach to safety inspections, facilitating the early detection and mitigation of risks.

OHS inspection checklists are essential across various industries, particularly in sectors where occupational hazards are prevalent. This includes construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and laboratories. Employers, safety officers, and health and safety committees use these checklists to conduct regular workplace inspections, ensuring that safety protocols are followed and potential risks are promptly addressed.

The frequency of updating OHS inspection checklists depends on several factors, including changes in workplace processes, introduction of new equipment, and updates in safety regulations. OHS checklists for workplaces should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they’re relevant, effective, and in line with health and safety SOPs and safe operating procedures.

Core Components of Workplace Safety Inspection Checklists

Below are the components of OHS compliance checklists that play an important role in maintaining a secure and efficient work environment.

1. General Workplace Conditions

Regularly assess cleanliness, lighting, ventilation, and noise levels. GoAudits offers an OSHA noise exposure checklist, a noise hazard identification checklist, and a noise risk assessment template to assess workplace areas for noise levels and hazards. Ensure that floors are dry and free from obstructions to prevent slips and falls. Proper signage should be in place to guide employees and visitors safely.

2. Physical Infrastructure

Inspect the structural integrity of buildings, including walls, ceilings, and floors. Stairways and walkways should have secure handrails and be free from hazards. Elevators and other mechanical systems must undergo regular maintenance checks.

3. Fire Safety Measures

Verify the availability and accessibility of fire extinguishers, fire doors, alarms, and sprinkler systems. Use fire inspection software to conduct routine fire drills to ensure employees are familiar with evacuation procedures. Emergency exits should be clearly marked and unobstructed.

GoAudits offers a wide range of fire safety audit checklists. You can sign up for free and start using these checklists to perform fire risk assessments.

4. Electrical Safety

Examine electrical installations for signs of wear or damage. Ensure that circuits are not overloaded and that all equipment is properly grounded. You can use the free checklists below to perform regular inspections and prevent potential electrical hazards.

5. Equipment and Machinery

Ensure that all machinery is equipped with appropriate safety guards and emergency stop mechanisms. Operators should be trained and certified to use specific equipment. Perform routine maintenance and inspections by using this equipment inspection form and prevent malfunctions.

6. Chemical and Hazardous Substances

Store chemicals in labeled, secure containers, complying with safety data sheet (SDS) guidelines. Implement proper ventilation systems in areas where hazardous substances are used. Use the checklist templates listed below to train employees in chemical handling, storing, emergency response procedures, and more.

7. Ergonomics and Workstations

Design workstations to support proper posture and reduce strain. Adjustable chairs, monitor stands, and keyboard placements can enhance comfort. Encourage regular breaks to prevent repetitive strain injuries. GoAudits offers an ergonomic risk assessment template and an OSHA ergonomic checklist to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the workplace setup and ergonomic practices.

8. Psychosocial Conditions

Monitor workplace dynamics to identify stress factors or potential conflicts. Promote open communication and provide resources for mental health support. A positive work environment enhances overall productivity and well-being.

9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Conduct regular PPE inspections to ensure the availability of appropriate PPE, such as gloves, helmets, and eye protection, and inspect equipment for wear and replace as necessary. Use PPE inspection checklists based on PPE SOPs to train employees on the correct usage and maintenance of PPE.

10. Emergency Preparedness and Response

Develop and regularly update emergency response plans. Conduct drills to familiarize employees with procedures for various scenarios, including natural disasters and medical emergencies. Maintain accessible first aid kits and emergency contact information. Use the GoAudits checklists below to prepare for emergency situations and create response plans.

How are OHS Workplace Inspection Checklists Used?

Here are some ways organizations use OHS inspection checklists:

Guide Routine Workplace Inspections: OHS checklists provide a structured framework for conducting regular workplace inspections. They ensure that all critical areas are consistently evaluated, identifying potential issues before they escalate, promoting proactive safety management.
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: During inspections, OHS internal audit checklists assist in pinpointing existing and potential hazards. By evaluating factors like unsafe practices, equipment malfunctions, and environmental conditions, you can assess associated risks effectively.
Systematically Document and Record Findings: Using OHS safety checklists ensures that inspection findings are thoroughly documented. Detailed records of observed hazards, risk levels, and compliance statuses provide a clear audit trail, facilitating tracking of safety performance and informing future inspections.
Take Corrective and Preventive Measures: Identified issues during inspections necessitate prompt corrective actions. OHS checklists for workplaces help prioritize these actions based on risk severity. Moreover, they facilitate the implementation of preventive measures to avert recurrence.
Ensure Compliance: Regular use of OHS inspection checklists helps maintain compliance with safety regulations and standards. They help in verifying that safety protocols are followed and that the workplace adheres to legal requirements, minimizing the risk of penalties.

Learn More: How Woodside Homes leverages digital checklists to ensure safety and quality for their construction projects

Types of Workplace Inspection Checklists by Industry

Here’s an overview of industry-specific inspection checklists:

General Workplace Inspection Checklist

Applicable across all industries, this checklist focuses on overall safety and operational standards, including housekeeping, fire safety, electrical safety, emergency preparedness, PPE, etc.

Construction Site Inspection Checklist

Construction sites present unique hazards requiring specific attention. A workplace safety inspection form for construction sites should cover aspects like fall protection, scaffolding, ladders and stairways, heavy equipment, and hazard communication.

Manufacturing Facility Inspection Checklist

Manufacturing environments require thorough inspections to ensure that machinery and processes are safe. A workplace safety audit template for the manufacturing industry covers areas such as machine guarding, lockout & tagout procedures, chemical handling, ventilation, noise levels, and more.

Healthcare and Laboratory Inspection Checklist

Healthcare settings and laboratories involve specific risks that necessitate comprehensive workplace inspection templates that cover biological hazards, chemical handling and storage, radiation safety, emergency equipment, and waste management.

Transportation and Logistics Inspection Checklist

Ensuring the safety of transportation operations involves comprehensive vehicle and driver maintenance, driver qualifications, load security, emergency equipment, compliance documentation, etc.

Energy and Utilities Inspection Checklist

Energy and utility sectors demand rigorous inspections due to the high-risk nature of operations. A workplace inspection form for this sector should cover electrical systems, equipment, PPE, compliance, confined spaces, etc. You can use one of the GoAudits checklists, including an OSHA confined spaces checklist, confined space PPE checklist, confined space risk assessment form, and non-permit-required confined space checklist, to assess and ensure the safety of confined spaces.

Food Services Inspection Checklist

Food service establishments must comply with strict hygiene, quality, and safety standards. GoAudits offers a wide range of food safety audit checklists that cover various aspects, including food storage, sanitation, pest control, employee hygiene, equipment maintenance, waste disposal, and more.

Benefits of Digital Occupational Health and Safety Checklists

Here’s how digital OHS checklists can benefit your organization:

Digital OHS inspection checklists are easily customizable, ensuring they can be aligned with specific industry requirements and organizational needs. They can be tailored to address unique workplace hazards and compliance standards.
OHS checklist templates are accessible across various devices, enabling employees to conduct inspections and report issues in real-time, regardless of their location.
Using digital workplace inspection forms improves collaboration among team members. Real-time data sharing ensures that all stakeholders are informed simultaneously, enabling quick decision-making and responses to safety concerns.
Digital OHS internal audit checklists streamline the inspection process by reducing manual data entry and paperwork, and improving data collection and reporting. This minimizes human errors and saves time.
OHS compliance checklists assist in maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations by providing automated reminders for inspections, audits, and corrective actions.
With real-time reporting capabilities, digital workplace inspection checklists enable immediate identification and response to safety issues. This mitigates risks and prevents potential incidents.
By reducing the reliance on paper, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency, digital OHS inspection checklists contribute to significant cost savings. They also indirectly help in avoiding fines associated with non-compliance and reduce expenses related to workplace incidents.

Other Popular Safety Inspection Templates:

Digitize your Safety Inspections

Easily perform audits anywhere on the site using a mobile device, even offline
Attach photos to document issues or prove compliance
Assign tasks, set deadlines and track progress - all within a single app
Analyze data from audits to identify trends, pinpoint recurring issues, and assess compliance levels.

Free OHS Inspection Checklists & Templates

Use OHS Inspections Checklists to Perform Thorough Safety Inspections

1. Is there insufficient illumination for the undertaken activity?

2. Is there excessive glare from the light source?

3. Is there a stroboscopic effect from fans, moving equipment, or light passing through trees?

4. Is there a need for color correction?

1. Is the equipment susceptible to breakage, collapse, tipping over, falling, rolling, sliding, or slipping?

2. Is there leakage of gasses, fumes, or fluids?

3. Is there a lack of emergency cut-off controls?

4. Have electrical testing and tagging not been completed or are not up-to-date?

5. Is there excessive noise, heat, or vibration?

6. Are electrical connections damaged, lying in water, or forming trip hazards?

7. Are periodic maintenance log books not in use or not kept updated?

1. Are there missing or inadequate guards to protect against being struck by moving parts or expelled particles?

2. Are there missing or inadequate guards to protect against being caught or falling on, into, or between objects?

3. Are there faulty supports or bracing?

4. Are there faulty warning, signaling, safety, or automatic control devices?

1. Is there use of defective or lack of personal protective clothing or personal protective equipment (PPE)?

2. Is the attire inadequate against being struck by moving parts or objects or contact with hazardous substances?

3. Is the attire likely to cause falls tripping, or catching on, in, or between equipment and machinery?

4. Does the clothing for outdoor workers fail to protect against exposure to sun, cold, or heat?

1. Are tasks being started, stopped, used, or moved without giving the required signal or warning?

2. Is there a failure or neglect to place warning or danger signs where and when required?

3. Are warning signs placed in unsuitable locations?

4. Are tasks being carried out without advising others who will be affected, such as spraying?

1. Is there a failure to lock, block, tie, or otherwise secure materials or equipment against unexpected movement, particularly in vehicles?

2. Is there a failure to attach warning signs to defective equipment or to render it inoperative?

1. Are activities being undertaken without proper safety equipment?

2. Are personnel exposed to objects slipping, sliding, rolling, splashing, or falling?

3. Are poor postures being adopted?

4. Are items being lifted too far from the body or too high above the shoulders?

5. Are joints or the body being twisted or rotated while shifting a load?

6. Are appropriate rest breaks or preparatory exercises being neglected?

1. Is there running in areas where it is unsafe?

2. Are individuals jumping from vehicles, platforms, ladders, benches, etc.?

3. Is driving being done in a dangerous manner, for too long a period, or too far?

4. Are items being thrown or dropped instead of being hoisted, carried, or lowered safely?

5. Is there rushing to finish tasks or meet deadlines without considering safe operations?

6. Are data entry operations being carried out without adequate rest breaks and exercises?

1. Is equipment or personnel being overloaded, creating too much stress?

2. Are working areas being crowded or congested with objects?

3. Are loads being lifted or carried without proper assessment or without waiting for a team lift?

4. Is equipment or material being arranged or placed unsafely?

5. Are substances being injected, mixed, or combined in a way that creates a hazardous environment?

6. Are hazardous objects or materials being introduced into enclosures, such as naked lights in paint shops?

7. Are incompatible materials being stored together?

1. Are the work areas or offices too hot or too cold?

2. Is the air movement too high, too low, or nonexistent?

3. Is the ventilation ineffective or inadequate?

4. Are there unsafe storage areas or containers that expose materials to heat, moisture, vibration, flame, sparks, or chemical reactions?

5. Are there more than minimum quantities of materials stored in work areas?

6. Are the work areas too noisy?

7. Is there congestion or insufficient working space?

8. Are electrical cables or cords lying across walkways?

9. Are there unsafe traffic conditions, such as loose or torn carpet or damaged or loose tiles?

10. Are there protruding objects or obstructions in the work area, such as filing cabinets or photocopiers?

11. Is there poor housekeeping, and are the work areas unclean or unhygienic?

12. Is there a lack of first-aid, fire-fighting equipment, or emergency appliances?

13. Are the floors or surfaces slippery, rough, or uneven?

1. Are the tools or personal protective equipment insufficient or damaged?

2. Are labels or Material Safety Data Sheets missing or inadequate?

3. Are there inadequate or missing Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tasks?

4. Are the materials and/or containers decomposed, contaminated, corroded, or eroded?

5. Are materials stacked or stored unsafely?