Workplace Safety Checklist for Trades & Construction

# Workplace Safety Checklist - Trades & Construction

## Purpose
Conduct monthly or before starting work on new sites to comply with Australian WHS legislation and protect your team.

## When to Use
A WHS compliance checklist covering hazard identification, emergency procedures, PPE requirements, first aid supplies, and incident reporting processes.

## Instructions
1. Review the template below and familiarise yourself with the structure
2. Replace all [bracketed placeholders] with your trades & construction business details
3. Customise the tone and formatting to match your brand
4. Save in your preferred tool (Asana or Notion)

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## Workplace Safety Checklist (WHS Compliance)

### Hazard Identification (Owner: WHS Officer / Site Supervisor)
- [ ] Walkthrough of all work areas completed to identify hazards
- [ ] Slip, trip, and fall hazards addressed (wet floors, cables, uneven surfaces)
- [ ] Electrical hazards checked (no damaged cords, overloaded power boards, or exposed wiring)
- [ ] Chemical storage correct (labels visible, MSDS accessible, proper ventilation)
- [ ] Manual handling risks assessed (heavy items, repetitive movements, awkward postures)
- [ ] Working at heights controls in place (harnesses, guardrails, scaffolding inspected)
- [ ] Noise levels assessed and hearing protection provided where needed

### Emergency Procedures (Owner: WHS Officer)
- [ ] Emergency evacuation plan displayed in all work areas
- [ ] Assembly point clearly marked and known by all staff
- [ ] Emergency exits unobstructed and clearly signed
- [ ] Fire extinguishers serviced within the last 6 months and accessible
- [ ] Smoke detectors and fire alarms tested and operational
- [ ] Emergency contact list displayed (ambulance, fire, police, poison information)
- [ ] Emergency evacuation drill conducted within the last 6 months

### Personal Protective Equipment (Owner: Site Supervisor)
- [ ] Required PPE identified for each task (hard hats, hi-vis, gloves, safety glasses)
- [ ] PPE available in appropriate sizes for all workers
- [ ] PPE in good condition (no cracks, tears, or expired items)
- [ ] Staff trained in correct use, fitting, and maintenance of PPE
- [ ] PPE usage enforced consistently across all workers and visitors

### First Aid (Owner: WHS Officer)
- [ ] First aid kit stocked and checked (bandages, antiseptic, burns dressing, gloves)
- [ ] First aid kit location clearly marked and accessible
- [ ] Designated first aid officer on site with current certification
- [ ] First aid register available for recording any treatments provided
- [ ] Eye wash station available and functional (if chemical exposure risk exists)

### Documentation & Reporting (Owner: WHS Officer)
- [ ] WHS policy current, reviewed within the last 12 months, and accessible to all staff
- [ ] Risk assessments completed for all high-risk tasks (SWMS where required)
- [ ] Incident and near-miss reporting procedure communicated to all staff
- [ ] All incidents reported, investigated, and corrective actions implemented
- [ ] WHS training records maintained and up to date for all staff
- [ ] WHS consultation with workers documented (toolbox talks, committee meetings)

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**Complexity:** simple | **Setup time:** 10 minutes | **Tools:** Asana, Notion

Note: This template has been tailored for trades & construction businesses in Australia. Adjust terminology and compliance references to match your specific context.