Across all industries and workplaces here are common factors that should be included in a safety checklist. These are vital safeguards that work not only to normalise a culture of safety but also to prevent workplace accidents.
But what exactly does a safety checklist look like?
Well for starters it is more than just a collection of safety procedures and safety slogans. A safety checklist is preventative and therefore shot not include a list of safety solutions. Instead it should outline the general responsibilities an employer has, the role of a safety officer and a safe at work test. These are simple but effective measures in a safe workplace and should not require a series of frustrating Workcover forms (something that SafeWorkPro can help with). The below safety checklist is based on that of Safe Work Australiaand although broadly applicable to any workplace, it is not a comprehensive list.
Example Safety Checklist
Responsibilities of employer:
1: Is there an up to date safety policy, instruction and procedure in place?
2: Are safety policies, instructions and safe operating procedures distributed by the employer?
3: Is safety training, information, instruction and supervision provided to all employees (paid or unpaid)?
4: Are unpaid positions provided with the same protective work practices as paid employees?
5: Are volunteers consulted with regarding workplace safety issues?
6: Are volunteers informed about the organisation’s safety procedures should an incident occur?
7: Does the employer ensure both volunteers and employees have a way to convey OHS concerns and suggestions to the safety officer?
Responsibilities of the safety officer:
1: Has the organisation identified and appointed a safety officer?
2: Are safety officers aware of their respective duties according to the Work Health and Safety Act?
3: Are workplace health and safety issues, policies and procedures regularly discussed at meetings?
The above checklist is by no means completely comprehensive. Many other issues and procedures would need to be outlined depending on the different industries or workplaces involved. For the construction industry, Worksafe Western Australia has released a detailed safety checklist for a multitude of job types. Although it is not applicable to workplaces outside of Worksafe WA’s mandate, the checklist does provide a comprehensive insight into both preventative measures and safe work practices.
