Workplace Inspection Checklist

Quick answer: A routine workplace inspection should cover access and egress, housekeeping, slip and trip hazards, lighting, electrical equipment, plant guarding, manual handling, hazardous chemicals and SDS, PPE, fire and emergency equipment, amenities, signage, and first aid. Record all findings, assign corrective actions, and track them to close-out.

Last reviewed: June 2026 by the BlueSafe Technical Team. Reflects current Model WHS Act and Regulations.

Regular workplace inspections are one of the most effective tools in a WHS management system. They allow a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to identify hazards before they cause injury, monitor the effectiveness of existing controls, and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to health and safety.

This checklist covers the hazard categories common to most Australian workplaces. Adapt it to your specific work environment — not every item will apply to every site. For guidance on how to identify hazards more broadly, see our guide to Hazard Identification Methods. For information on what your completed inspection records should look like, see What Is a Site Inspection Checklist?.

Inspection Frequency and Timing

The right inspection frequency depends on the nature and risk level of the work:

High-risk environments (construction, manufacturing, warehousing, chemical handling): inspect at least monthly.
Medium-risk environments (trade workshops, retail, hospitality, healthcare support): inspect at least quarterly.
Low-risk environments (general office, professional services): inspect at least six-monthly.
Triggered inspections: always conduct an inspection after an incident or near-miss, after a significant change to the workplace, after new plant or equipment is introduced, and when a worker raises a WHS concern.

Record the date, inspector's name, and work area for every inspection. Keep completed checklists as part of your WHS records.

Recording Corrective Actions

When a hazard is identified during an inspection, the inspection record is only the beginning. Each finding should be:

Described clearly enough that someone else can locate and understand the hazard.
Risk-rated using a standard likelihood × consequence matrix.
Assigned a corrective action with a responsible person and a due date.
Escalated immediately if the hazard poses an imminent risk — do not defer.
Tracked in your hazard register until the corrective action is verified as complete.

Where interim controls are put in place (e.g. barricading an area) while a permanent fix is arranged, record both the interim measure and the permanent solution required.

1. Access and Egress

All entry and exit points are clearly identified and unobstructed.
Emergency exits are free from obstruction and clearly signed.
Exit doors open in the direction of travel and are not locked from the inside during working hours.
Walkways, corridors, and aisles are clearly defined, free from clutter, and of adequate width.
Stairs and ramps have appropriate non-slip surfaces and secure handrails on both sides where required.
Loading docks and vehicle access areas are clearly separated from pedestrian walkways.
External access (car parks, entry paths) is free from trip hazards and adequately lit.

2. Housekeeping and General Order

Work areas are clean, tidy, and free from unnecessary materials.
Waste is collected and disposed of in appropriate labelled bins (including chemical waste where applicable).
Storage areas are organised; items are stored at appropriate heights and are not at risk of falling.
Aisles and work areas are not used as unofficial storage locations.
Floors are free from spills, debris, offcuts, and trailing cables.
Outdoor areas, yards, and car parks are maintained in a clean and orderly condition.

3. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Floors are in good condition — no damaged, uneven, or missing tiles, boards, or coverings.
Anti-slip mats or coatings are in place in wet, oily, or high-traffic areas.
Spill kits are available and accessible in areas where liquid spills are likely.
Cables, hoses, and leads are managed to prevent them crossing walkways at floor level.
Changes in floor level (thresholds, ramps, steps) are marked with contrasting colour or tactile indicators.
Portable ladders are in good condition and are used correctly (correct angle, secured at top where possible, three points of contact).
Elevated work areas have adequate edge protection, barriers, or fall arrest systems where required.
Floor grates, drain covers, and inspection hatches are secured and flush with the surrounding surface.

4. Lighting

All work areas have adequate lighting for the tasks being performed (check after dark if applicable).
Emergency lighting is installed in required locations and is operational.
All light fittings are functional — failed globes or tubes are replaced promptly.
Natural light sources are not obstructed by stored materials or equipment.
Outdoor work areas and loading zones have appropriate lighting for night-time or low-light operations.

5. Electrical Safety

All electrical equipment is visually inspected and shows no signs of damage (frayed leads, cracked plugs, scorch marks, exposed wiring).
Electrical leads are not run through doorways, under mats, or across walkways without protection.
Portable electrical equipment has a current in-service tag (test-and-tag) where required.
Switchboards and electrical panels are accessible, clearly labelled, and free from obstruction.
Residual current devices (RCDs) are installed for portable equipment in required areas.
Extension leads and power boards are not used as permanent wiring solutions.
No double-adapters or piggyback plugs are in use.
Electrical repairs and modifications are carried out only by licensed electricians.

6. Plant and Machinery Guarding

All moving parts of machinery (rotating shafts, cutting edges, drive belts, nip points) have appropriate fixed or interlocked guards in place.
Guards are in good condition and cannot be easily removed without tools.
Emergency stop devices are clearly marked, unobstructed, and tested regularly.
Plant pre-start checks are being completed and recorded for relevant equipment (forklifts, EWPs, compressors).
No plant has been modified in a way that defeats guarding or safety devices.
Isolation (lockout/tagout) procedures are posted at relevant plant and workers are trained in them.
Maintenance and inspection records are current for all plant on the register.
Defective plant is tagged out of service and not in use.

7. Manual Handling

Manual handling tasks (lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying) have been assessed and controls are in place.
Mechanical aids (trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists) are available and in good working condition where manual handling is frequent or involves heavy loads.
Workers have been trained in safe manual handling techniques relevant to their tasks.
Workstations are set up ergonomically to reduce awkward postures and repetitive strain (sitting, standing, screen-based work).
Heavy or bulky items are stored at an appropriate height to avoid low-reach or overhead lifting.
Workers who have reported manual handling injuries or discomfort have been followed up and their tasks reviewed.

8. Hazardous Chemicals and Safety Data Sheets

A current chemical register lists all hazardous chemicals used or stored on site.
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is held for every chemical on the register and is within 5 years of issue.
SDS are accessible to workers in the area where each chemical is used (printed or digital access).
All chemical containers are clearly labelled, including decanted or transferred chemicals in secondary containers.
Chemicals are stored in appropriate, compatible storage (segregated from incompatible substances).
Ventilation in chemical storage and use areas is adequate.
Spill kits appropriate to the chemicals in use are available and workers know how to use them.
Flammable and combustible materials are stored away from ignition sources.
Quantity limits for hazardous chemicals are not exceeded (check against licence or permit conditions if applicable).

9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Required PPE for each work area and task is clearly identified (e.g. on signage or in JSAs/SWMS).
PPE is available in sufficient quantities and is accessible to all workers who need it.
PPE is in good condition — no cracked hard hats, torn gloves, fogged or scratched safety glasses, or degraded ear plugs.
Workers are wearing required PPE correctly in areas where it is mandatory.
Inspection and replacement records for PPE are maintained.
Respiratory protection, where used, is the correct type for the hazard and workers are fit-tested where required.
Hearing protection is available and used in areas where noise levels exceed action levels (85 dB(A) TWA).

10. Fire and Emergency Equipment

11. Amenities and Welfare Facilities

Toilets are available in the number required for the workforce (as per relevant regulations), clean, and fully functional.
Accessible amenities are provided where required for workers with disabilities.
Handwashing facilities (with soap and hand drying) are available in amenities and adjacent to food preparation areas.
Drinking water is available and accessible throughout the working day.
A lunch room or designated eating area is provided, clean, and separate from any area where hazardous substances are used.
Adequate seating and shelter is provided for workers who are required to take rest breaks.
Change rooms and secure storage for personal items are provided where workers are required to use PPE or change clothing.

12. Signage

Mandatory signs (e.g. PPE requirements, no unauthorised entry) are in place and clearly visible.
Prohibition signs (e.g. no smoking, no mobile phones) are current and undamaged.
Warning signs for hazards (high voltage, forklift operating area, chemical storage) are posted at the point of risk.
Emergency information signs (fire exits, first aid, assembly point) are visible and not obscured.
Signage is in English and, where the workforce includes non-English-speaking workers, key safety signs are supplemented with pictograms or translated text.
Damaged or faded signage has been replaced.

13. First Aid

At least one adequately stocked first aid kit is available and accessible in the workplace.
The first aid kit is clearly identified with a first aid sign.
Kit contents are checked regularly — expired or depleted items are replaced promptly.
At least one worker with a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 or equivalent) is available during all working hours.
All workers know the location of the first aid kit and who the trained first aider is.
An eyewash station is installed and functional in any area where chemical splash to the eyes is a plausible risk.
First aid arrangements are appropriate for the work — remote or high-risk operations may require a higher level of provision.
First aid incidents are recorded in the incident register even when no lost time results.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a workplace inspection be conducted?

There is no single mandated frequency in the Model WHS Regulations, but best practice is to conduct general workplace inspections at least monthly for higher-risk environments (construction, manufacturing, warehousing) and at least quarterly for lower-risk office environments. Inspections should also be triggered after any incident, near-miss, or significant change to the workplace layout, processes, or people.

Who should conduct a workplace inspection?

Workplace inspections can be conducted by the Site Supervisor, the WHS Officer, or a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) — ideally a combination of management and worker perspectives. The inspector should be familiar with the work area and its hazards. For complex environments, a multi-disciplinary inspection team (operations, safety, maintenance) is best practice.

What should I do when I find a hazard during a workplace inspection?

Record the hazard on your inspection report, assign a risk rating (using a likelihood × consequence matrix), identify the corrective action required, nominate a responsible person, and set a due date. Hazards posing an immediate risk must be controlled on the spot — do not defer them. All findings should be entered into your hazard register and tracked until closed out.

Is a workplace inspection the same as a SafeWork Inspector visit?

No. A workplace inspection is an internal process carried out by the business to proactively identify and fix hazards before they cause harm. A SafeWork Inspector visit is an external compliance audit conducted by the regulator. Regular internal inspections are one of the best ways to be ready for a regulator visit.

Keep your workplace inspection-ready

A checklist tells you what to look for — Blue Safe Online gives you the documents, registers, and systems to back it up. Our WHS Management System includes a ready-to-use workplace inspection form, a hazard register, and corrective action tracker.

Ready to build a safer workplace? Explore Blue Safe Online.

This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. WHS laws vary between states and territories. Always confirm current requirements with your relevant state or territory WHS regulator or seek independent legal advice for your specific situation.