Quick answer: A hazard register is a documented list of every identified hazard in your workplace, along with the controls in place to manage each one. It is a foundational WHS document that helps businesses meet their duty to identify and manage risks — and it gives workers, supervisors, and auditors a clear picture of what hazards are present and what is being done about them.
Last reviewed: June 2026 by the BlueSafe Technical Team. Reflects current Model WHS framework.
If you are setting up your WHS system for the first time — or trying to work out what documents your business actually needs — the hazard register is one of the first places to start. It does not need to be complicated, but it does need to exist and it does need to be kept up to date.
This guide explains what a hazard register is, what it records, why businesses keep one, who needs it, and how to set it up and maintain it.
At a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | A documented list of workplace hazards and their controls |
| Who must have one | Any PCBU with workers — sole traders through to large organisations |
| What it records | Hazard, location, date identified, who identified it, risk level, controls, responsible person, status |
| When it is updated | When new hazards are found, after incidents, when work changes, at least annually |
| Who uses it | Business owners, supervisors, HSRs, workers, auditors, principal contractors |
| Format | Table or spreadsheet — simple is fine for most small businesses |
What is a hazard register?
A hazard register is a central record of all identified hazards in a workplace. It is sometimes called a hazard log, hazard inventory, or hazard listing — the terminology varies, but the purpose is the same: to make sure every known hazard is captured in writing and that someone is accountable for managing it.
Think of it as a live document. It is not filled out once and filed away. It grows whenever a new hazard is identified, and entries are updated as controls are put in place, improved, or reviewed.
The hazard register sits at the heart of the hazard identification and risk management process that every WHS management system is built around. Without a register, hazards get forgotten, controls become inconsistent, and it becomes very difficult to demonstrate — to a regulator, an insurer, or a principal contractor — that your business is managing its risks.
What does a hazard register record?
A well-structured hazard register captures the following for each hazard:
- Hazard — a clear description of the hazard (e.g., "trailing electrical cable across walkway," "manual handling — repeated lifting of 20 kg boxes," "chemical storage — flammable liquids in workshop")
- Location — where in the workplace the hazard exists (e.g., warehouse floor, reception area, site compound)
- Date identified — when the hazard was first recorded
- Who identified it — the worker, supervisor, or inspector who found the hazard
- Risk level — an assessment of how serious the hazard is, using a risk matrix (e.g., Low, Medium, High, Extreme)
- Controls in place — what has been done to eliminate or minimise the hazard, following the hierarchy of controls
- Responsible person — who is accountable for ensuring the controls are maintained and the hazard is reviewed
- Status — whether the hazard is open (controls not yet fully in place), in progress, or controlled and closed
Not every business will use all of these fields — a small sole trader operating from a single workshop may keep things simpler — but including each of these elements gives you a register that holds up under scrutiny and gives workers genuinely useful information.
Why do businesses keep a hazard register?
There are several reasons a hazard register is worth maintaining, beyond simple compliance.
Meeting your WHS duty. Every PCBU in Australia has a legal obligation to identify hazards and manage risks so far as is reasonably practicable. A hazard register is the clearest way to demonstrate that you are doing this systematically rather than reactively.
Preventing incidents. Hazards that are documented and assigned to a responsible person are far more likely to be controlled. Undocumented hazards have a tendency to stay that way — until something goes wrong.
Supporting workers. Workers have a right to know about hazards in their workplace. A hazard register that is accessible and kept current supports your consultation obligations and helps workers look after themselves and their colleagues.
Satisfying external requirements. Regulators, insurers, and principal contractors commonly ask to see your hazard register during audits, pre-qualification checks, and tender assessments. An up-to-date register is evidence of a functioning WHS system.
Identifying patterns. When you record hazards consistently over time, patterns become visible — the same area keeps generating hazards, the same task keeps producing near misses. That information is difficult to see without a register.
Who needs a hazard register?
Any business with workers needs some form of hazard identification and recording system — which means, in practice, every PCBU.
The complexity of the register should match the complexity of the workplace. A small landscaping business with two workers needs a hazard register, but it does not need to be a sophisticated document. A construction principal contractor managing multiple subcontractors on a large site will need something more detailed — and will likely need it to integrate with their broader safety management system.
Key situations where a hazard register is particularly important:
- Any business responding to a tender or pre-qualification questionnaire — these almost always ask for your WHS documents, including your hazard or risk register
- Businesses working in higher-risk industries — construction, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, healthcare, mining
- Workplaces where new workers are regularly inducted — a current hazard register is an essential part of induction
- Businesses that have had a recent incident or near miss — the register should be reviewed and updated as part of the investigation
How to set up and maintain a hazard register
Setting up a hazard register does not require specialist software or a WHS consultant. A spreadsheet or a well-structured form is sufficient for most small businesses. The key is to make it usable, keep it current, and make sure the right people can access it.
Setting it up
Step 1: Walk the workplace. Conduct a systematic walkthrough of every area where work is performed. Look for physical hazards (uneven floors, equipment, chemicals), ergonomic hazards (workstation setup, manual handling tasks), psychosocial hazards (workload, workplace relationships), and environmental hazards (heat, noise, lighting).
Step 2: Consult your workers. Workers are often best placed to identify hazards — they perform the tasks every day. Ask them what concerns them, what they work around, and what they have noticed. Your obligation to consult is not just a formality; it produces a better register.
Step 3: Review existing records. Incident reports, near-miss logs, previous inspection records, and manufacturer safety data sheets (for chemicals) can all reveal hazards that should be in the register.
Step 4: Build your register. Use the fields above — hazard, location, date identified, who identified it, risk level, controls, responsible person, status. Keep the format consistent so the register is easy to use and compare over time.
Step 5: Assign responsibility. Every entry in the register should have a named responsible person. Without accountability, entries stay unresolved.
Maintaining it
A register that is not kept current is of limited value. Put a process in place to ensure:
- New hazards are added promptly — as soon as they are identified, not weeks later
- Controls are updated when they are changed or improved
- The register is reviewed after every incident or near miss, when work processes change, and at least annually
- Closed entries are marked as such — do not delete old entries; retain them for the record
Sample hazard register
The following example shows what three entries in a simple hazard register might look like for a small warehouse operation.
| Hazard | Location | Date Identified | Identified By | Risk Level | Controls in Place | Responsible Person | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling — repeated lifting of 20 kg stock boxes | Receiving dock | 3 March 2026 | Warehouse supervisor | Medium | Mechanical trolley in place, team lifting procedure documented, workers trained | Operations Manager | Controlled |
| Chemical storage — flammable cleaning solvent stored near heat source | Cleaners' cupboard, Level 1 | 15 April 2026 | HSR | High | Solvent relocated to compliant flammable goods cabinet, SDS accessible | Facilities Coordinator | Controlled |
| Slipping hazard — wet floor near loading bay entry during rain | Loading bay, main entry | 28 May 2026 | Delivery driver | Medium | Non-slip matting installed, wet floor sign in place, drainage reviewed — maintenance scheduled | Site Supervisor | In Progress |
These three entries illustrate a range of hazard types (ergonomic, chemical, physical), risk levels, and statuses. The "In Progress" entry for the loading bay confirms the hazard is known and being managed, even though the drainage work has not yet been completed.
How the hazard register connects to your broader WHS system
The hazard register does not operate in isolation. It is connected to several other elements of a sound WHS system:
- Incident and near-miss reporting — incidents should trigger a review of the register and, where a new hazard is identified, a new entry
- Safe work method statements (SWMS) and safe work procedures — the controls documented in the register should be reflected in your procedures
- Inductions — new workers should be briefed on the register as part of their workplace induction
- Management review — the register should be reviewed at management level periodically to identify unresolved hazards and trends
For more detail on how a hazard register compares with a risk register — including when you might need both — see our guide on hazard register vs risk register. If you are looking to build out your register into a full risk assessment document, our guide on what is a risk register explains the additional steps involved.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hazard register?
A hazard register is a workplace document that records all identified hazards in a business — what each hazard is, where it is located, when it was found, who found it, what controls are in place, and whether those controls are working. It is a core WHS tool that helps businesses make sure no known hazard is forgotten or left unmanaged.
Is a hazard register a legal requirement in Australia?
There is no single law that requires a document specifically called a "hazard register," but all PCBUs have a legal duty under the model Work Health and Safety Act to identify hazards and manage risks so far as is reasonably practicable. A hazard register is the most practical way to demonstrate that duty is being met, and regulators, insurers, and principal contractors will commonly ask to see one.
Who is responsible for maintaining a hazard register?
The PCBU (the business owner or employer) is ultimately responsible. In practice, a manager, supervisor, or WHS officer usually maintains the register day-to-day. Workers also play a role — they are often best placed to identify new hazards and should know how to report them so the register stays current.
How is a hazard register different from a risk register?
A hazard register is a list of identified hazards and the controls in place. A risk register goes further — it adds a formal risk assessment for each hazard, including likelihood and consequence ratings and a calculated risk score. Many small businesses use a combined document. See our guide on hazard register vs risk register for a detailed comparison.
Ready to build your hazard register?
BlueSafe Online gives you access to ready-to-use WHS document templates including hazard registers, risk registers, and combined formats — designed for Australian small business and built to satisfy audit and tender requirements.
This guide provides general information only. Hazard register requirements will depend on the nature of your business, applicable legislation, and any contractual obligations.