Workplace Safety Walk Checklist: Identify Potential Hazards And Ensure Employee Safety

Ossian Muscad
February 13, 2023
4:55 am
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Last Updated on February 13, 2023 by Ossian Muscad

Workplace safety is paramount to protecting employees from workplace hazards and ensuring their health, safety, and well-being. A workplace safety walk checklist can be a great way to identify potential workplace hazards and take proactive action to address them.

This guide will provide an overview of workplace safety walks and how they can help keep your workplace safe. We’ll discuss the steps you need to take to create an effective workplace safety walk checklist and some tips on how best to use it.

With this information in hand, you’ll be able to confidently assess the risks in your workplace and ensure that all necessary measures are taken for employee protection.

What is a Workplace Safety Walk?

A workplace safety walk is an inspection of a workplace to identify potentially hazardous conditions. It should be conducted by a trained professional who can recognize and evaluate workplace hazards in the workplace. When conducting the safety walk, they will look for any possible issues that could lead to workplace accidents or injuries, such as slippery surfaces, improperly stored materials, and insufficient lighting or ventilation.

The workplace safety walk is essential to workplace safety management and should be conducted regularly to ensure the workplace remains safe. At the same time, workplace safety walks are also beneficial for employee morale as they show that workplace safety is a priority of the employer.

The Importance of Workplace Safety Walks

Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace environment, and workplace safety walks are an effective way to ensure this. They can help identify potential workplace hazards that may have otherwise been neglected and help employers create action plans for dealing with them. Workplace safety walks are essential for the following reasons:

Understand Real-life Hazards

Since the hazards are identified in real-life workplace situations, workplace safety walks are more effective than relying on theoretical knowledge or workplace hazard assessments. This understanding can help employers to make informed decisions about workplace safety and develop workplace safety plans.

Identify Potential Dangers

Employees may not be aware of the dangers present in the workplace, and workplace safety walks can help to identify potential hazards that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. This can help employers take proactive steps to address workplace dangers before they become an issue.

Monitor Compliance with Regulations

Workplace safety walks can be used to ensure workplace safety regulations are being followed. This can help employers to stay up-to-date with workplace safety laws and regulations, as well as identify any areas where workplace safety needs to be improved.

Create Awareness of Safety Issues

Workplace safety walks also help to create an awareness of workplace safety issues among employees. This can help to ensure that employees understand workplace safety and how to protect themselves in the workplace. With this knowledge, employees can help to create a safer workplace environment.

Get Feedback from Employees

Workplace safety walks can also be used as an opportunity to get feedback from employees on workplace hazards. This input can help employers to identify workplace hazards that may have otherwise gone unnoticed, as well as identify areas where workplace safety needs to be improved.

What is a Workplace Safety Walk Checklist?

A workplace safety walk checklist is a document used to identify workplace hazards and evaluate workplace safety compliance. It should be used when conducting workplace safety walks and should include checklists for all work areas. During workplace safety walks, inspectors should use this checklist to assess the environment in the workplace, identify potential hazards, and evaluate workplace safety compliance.

The workplace safety walk checklist should include a list of workplace hazards that need to be checked and any workplace safety regulations that need to be followed. This will help employers ensure workplace safety is maintained and monitored properly.

What To Include in a Workplace Safety Walk Checklist?

When developing workplace safety walk checklists, employers should consider the nature of their workplace and the potential risks that may be present. The workplace safety walk checklist should include checklists for all work areas and should cover the following items:

Date Completed
Time Observed
Observer Full Name
Name of Personnel Reported To
Area Location

General Housekeeping

[ ] Designated aisles and walkways are clear and unobstructed
[ ] Floor surfaces are clear of debris and workplace hazards
[ ] Storage areas are well organized, properly labeled, and secure
[ ] Floors are swept clean; surfaces are undamaged and free from potential trip hazards
[ ] Workstations are tidy and free from workplace hazards

Machinery

[ ] Machine guards are in place where required and functioning properly
[ ] Machines are properly labeled and operating as intended
[ ] Electrical wiring is secured, junction boxes are covered, and no exposed wires are present
[ ] Safety notices are displayed and up to date
[ ] Maintenance records and repair documentations are up to date

Safety Equipment

[ ] Adequate lighting is present and in good condition
[ ] Fire extinguishers are visible, accessible, operational, and appropriately rated
[ ] First aid supplies are visible, accessible, and up to date
[ ] Emergency exits are unobstructed and clearly marked
[ ] Protective equipment is available, appropriate for the workplace, and in good condition

Building Structures

[ ] Supporting structures are sound and free of defects
[ ] Electrical wiring is secure and properly insulated
[ ] Smoke alarms are operational
[ ] Exits are easily accessible
[ ] Drains and gutters are undamaged and in good condition

Security

[ ] Visitors are wearing appropriate safety attire
[ ] Access to workplace areas is restricted where necessary
[ ] Surveillance cameras are in place and functioning properly
[ ] Security protocols are in place and are being followed
[ ] Emergency exits are accessible and unobstructed

Electricity

[ ] Inspection areas have adequate lighting, and outlets are functioning properly
[ ] Electrical wiring is secured, junction boxes are covered, and no exposed wires are present
[ ] Extension cords are being used in accordance with workplace safety guidelines
[ ] Electrical equipment is in good condition and appropriate for its intended use
[ ] Power outlets are functional, and no damage is present

First Aid and Hygiene

[ ] Adequate first aid kits are available
[ ] Hand washing stations are operational and accessible
[ ] Cleaning supplies and materials are stored correctly and safely
[ ] All appropriate workplace safety signage is in place and visible
[ ] Proper workplace hygiene is being followed

Personal Protective Equipment

[ ] PPE is available, appropriate for the workplace, and in good condition
[ ] Safety glasses are being worn where necessary
[ ] Hard hats and safety helmets are being worn where necessary
[ ] Safety footwear is being worn where necessary
[ ] Respirators are being used when workplace hazards require them

How to Create a Workplace Safety Walk Checklist

Creating an effective workplace safety walk checklist is essential to ensure workplace safety and compliance with workplace safety regulations. Therefore, employers should consult workplace safety guidelines and regulations before creating a workplace safety walk checklist.

To create an effective workplace safety walk checklist, follow the steps below:

Assign an individual to compile the workplace safety checklists and develop a timeline for completion.
Create categories for workplace safety walk checklists that fit the workplace environment and safety regulations.
Fill each category with specific workplace safety activities to be included in the workplace safety walk checklist.
Have workplace safety experts review the checklists and provide feedback on improving them.
Finalize workplace safety walk checklist and distribute it to relevant personnel.

Create Workplace Safety Walk Checklists Using a Low-Code Platform

Now that you know how to create workplace safety walk checklists, It’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice. Relying on traditional paper-based checklists is fine, but if you want convenience and value, consider opting for a low-code platform like DATAMYTE.

DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. The DataMyte Digital clipboard, in particular, is a low-code workflow automation software that features a checklist builder. With this tool, you can build workplace safety walk checklists quickly and efficiently using its drag-and-drop interface.

With the DataMyte Digital clipboard, you’ll enjoy fast-launching digital workplace safety walk checklists that you can use in your workplace. You can even use DATAMYTE to conduct layered process audits. This comprehensive audit system lets you assess every layer of your workplace safety program.

With DATAMYTE, you have an all-in-one solution to creating and implementing workplace safety walks. Book a demo with us today to learn more about what we can offer you.

Conclusion

By following the above workplace safety walk checklist, employers can ensure that workplace hazards are identified, and appropriate action is taken. This will ensure workplace safety for employees and minimize workplace accidents. Employers should also review workplace regulations and standards regularly to maintain workplace safety. In addition, employers should provide safety training for employees and ensure they are up to date with workplace safety regulations and guidelines.