Ensuring a Safer Environment: An Overview of the 8 Top Health and Safety Checklists

Last Updated on July 14, 2023 by Ossian Muscad

Creating a safe working environment for your employees is essential to any business, and you must take the necessary steps to ensure their safety. Health and safety checklists are an essential tool in this process, as they provide employers with an easy-to-follow guide on addressing potential workplace hazards.

From detailed risk assessments to simple general safety checks, a range of health and safety checklists available can help you create a safer environment for everyone involved. This article will look at eight of the best health and safety checklists you should consider implementing in your workplace.

What is a Health and Safety Checklist?

A Health and Safety Checklist is a valuable tool used in various industries to ensure that the workplace environment meets the necessary safety standards. This checklist typically includes a comprehensive list of items to be checked for potential hazards and risks to prevent accidents and ensure the health and safety of employees.

The specific items on the checklist may vary depending on the nature of the work and the industry in question. However, common elements often include:

• [ ] Proper storage and handling of hazardous materials
• [ ] Adequate training and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• [ ] Regular inspection of equipment and machinery
• [ ] Fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers, fire exits, and evacuation plans
• [ ] Ergonomic conditions, such as workstation setup and lifting techniques
• [ ] Emergency procedures and first aid availability
• [ ] General housekeeping, like cleanliness and orderliness

Health and safety officers or managers usually use this checklist during routine inspections, but it can also guide employees to maintain a safe working environment. It’s important to note that a health and safety checklist is part of an ongoing process, not a one-time event. The checklist should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in the workplace or updates in safety regulations.

8 Health and Safety Checklists You Should Consider

There are different types of health and safety checklists that will be relevant in different industries. Here are some of the best options to consider for any workplace:

Health and Safety Risk Assessment Checklist

This checklist aids in identifying potential hazards such as malfunctioning equipment, tripping hazards, or unsafe work practices. It assesses the risks associated with those hazards, such as the likelihood of an accident and its potential impact. Control measures are then determined to prevent or minimize the risks, like repairing equipment, clearing walkways, or implementing safe work procedures. Regular reviews should be conducted to ensure the continued effectiveness of these measures. This checklist might include items like:

• [ ] Identification of potential hazards in the workplace.
• [ ] Evaluation of the risks associated with those hazards.
• [ ] Implementation of control measures to prevent or minimize the risks.
• [ ] Review and update the risk assessment on a regular basis.

Safety Inspection Checklist

This checklist is used to inspect the overall safety conditions in the workplace. It could include checking fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers and alarms for functionality, ensuring emergency exits are marked and unobstructed, confirming first-aid kits are fully stocked and accessible, and assessing general housekeeping such as cleanliness, organization, and proper storage of materials. Sample items might include:

• [ ] Check fire safety equipment for functionality.
• [ ] Ensure clear access to emergency exits.
• [ ] Check the availability and content of first-aid kits.
• [ ] Inspect the general cleanliness and orderliness of the workplace.

HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) Risk Assessment Checklist

This checklist extends beyond the Health and Safety Risk Assessment by also considering environmental factors. It could involve evaluating waste management practices for efficiency and compliance, checking for potential sources of air or water pollution, and assessing resource conservation methods such as energy efficiency and recycling programs. Items might include:

• [ ] Evaluate waste management practices.
• [ ] Check for potential sources of pollution.
• [ ] Assess conservation practices.
• [ ] Review procedures for handling hazardous materials.

EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Audit Checklist

This checklist is used during EHS audits to confirm compliance with legal and company-specific environmental, health, and safety regulations. It may include checking air quality standards against regulated levels, assessing water quality management systems, inspecting storage and handling procedures for hazardous materials, and verifying that all employees have received appropriate health, safety, and environmental training. Sample items might include:

• [ ] Check compliance with air quality standards.
• [ ] Assess water quality management.
• [ ] Inspect storage and handling of hazardous materials.
• [ ] Verify that employees have received proper training.

Monthly Health and Safety Inspection Checklist

This checklist is used for regular monthly inspections to ensure ongoing health and safety standards compliance. Depending on the specific industry and workplace, this could involve checking machinery and equipment for wear and tear, confirming safety signage is visible, reviewing incident and injury records for patterns, and assessing the condition and use of personal protective equipment. This might include:

• [ ] Regular inspection of machinery and equipment.
• [ ] Check the condition and suitability of PPE.
• [ ] Review safety procedures and protocols.
• [ ] Check for any changes in the workplace that may affect health and safety.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Inspection Checklist

This checklist is used to inspect the PPE used by employees. It ensures that the PPE is in good condition without tears or breaks, fits correctly to provide maximum protection, and is suitable for the tasks being performed. It also verifies that employees are properly trained in using and maintaining their PPE. Items might include:

• [ ] Check the condition of PPE (no tears, breaks, etc.).
• [ ] Ensure PPE fits correctly.
• [ ] Verify that PPE is suitable for the tasks to perform.
• [ ] Ensure that employees are properly trained in the use of PPE.

Construction Safety Checklist

This checklist is specifically designed for construction sites. It includes checking scaffolding for stability and correct setup, ensuring safe operation and maintenance of heavy machinery, verifying that fall protection measures are in place and properly used, checking for potential electrical hazards, and ensuring the site is clean and free from unnecessary debris to prevent accidents. This might include items like:

• [ ] Check scaffolding for stability and correct setup.
• [ ] Ensure the safe operation of heavy machinery.
• [ ] Verify that fall protection measures are in place.
• [ ] Check for potential electrical hazards.
• [ ] Ensure the site is clean and free from unnecessary debris.

Chemical Safety Checklist

This checklist ensures the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals in the workplace. It includes confirming chemicals are properly labeled with the right information, checking that safety data sheets (SDSs) are available and up to date for every chemical, verifying the appropriate use of PPE when handling chemicals, and reviewing emergency procedures in case of a chemical spill or exposure. Sample items might include:

• [ ] Ensure that the labels on chemicals are proper.
• [ ] Check that safety data sheets (SDSs) are available and up to date.
• [ ] Verify appropriate use of PPE when handling chemicals.
• [ ] Review emergency procedures in case of a chemical spill or exposure.

Create Health and Safety Checklists Using a Low-code Platform

Now that you’ve seen the different health and safety checklists, you may wonder how to easily create your own. Thanks to low-code development platforms (LCDPs), businesses can quickly create checklists and other digital forms with minimal coding or technical expertise. Low-code platforms allow users to drag and drop fields into customizable templates, add calculation formulas, embed images, and seamlessly connect forms to other systems. This makes it easy for businesses to quickly create custom health and safety checklists tailored to their needs.

DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a low-code workflow automation software with a built-in checklist and smart form builder. This feature and its drag-and-drop interface allow you to create any checklist and form template you need—including health and safety checklists.

To create a checklist or form template using DATAMYTE, follow these steps:

1. Log in to DATAMYTE and navigate to the ‘Checklist’ module.
2. Click “Create Checklist” to create a new checklist or form template.
3. Add a Title to the checklist or form template; select the category it belongs to.
4. Click “Add Item” to start adding items to the checklist or form template.
5. Add appropriate descriptions to each item, the type of answer it requires, and other relevant specifications, such as reference documents, acceptance criteria, or potential limits.
6. Assign the personnel responsible for completing the checklist.
7. Indicate any required approvals from other relevant personnel, such as supervisors or quality assurance managers.
8. Save your checklist; it will now be available on any device. You can also print a physical copy of your checklist.

DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a systematic review of critical process steps. This auditing method focuses on the areas with the highest risk of failure or non-compliance. By conducting LPA using DATAMYTE, you can effectively identify and correct defects before they escalate.

With DATAMYTE, you have the perfect solution for creating and implementing health and safety checklists. Book a demo with us today to learn how DATAMYTE can help improve your workplace health and safety. 

Conclusion

Every workplace needs to have the right health and safety checklists in place. That’s why it’s important to know what checklists suit your workplace needs and how to create and manage them. Thankfully, using a low-code platform like DATAMYTE makes it easy to quickly create custom checklists and forms for any need. Book a demo today to learn how DATAMYTE can help keep your workplace and employees safe.

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