Construction Hazard Assessment Checklist – Free PDF

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Construction hazard assessment checklist template

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Use this template with Lumiform

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

Learn more

This construction hazard assessment checklist template is a powerful tool for identifying and mitigating workplace dangers. It enables thorough evaluation across crucial safety categories, including fall protection, scaffolding, electrical hazards, and environmental concerns.

The International Labour Organization reports that 60,000 fatal accidents occur annually on construction sites worldwide—one every 10 minutes. By making this checklist part of regular site inspections, you can pinpoint potential hazards marked as “at risk,” document necessary corrective actions, and significantly reduce accident potential. This helps you maintain compliance with safety regulations while creating documented evidence of your workplace safety protocols.

Related categories

Preview of the template

Audit

1. Working at Heights

1.1. Fall risks of 2m or more? (including voids, pits, and trenches)

1.2. Lack of edge protection?

1.3. Unsafe or incomplete edge protection?

2. Plant and Equipment

2.1. Unsafe or damaged plant/equipment? (including missing or damaged guards)

2.2. Incorrect plant /equipment for job? (e.g. grinding discs for cutting)

2.3. Unsafe or incompatible attachments used with plant/equipment?

2.4. Unlicensed operators?

2.5. Lack of safe work instructions?

2.6. Lack of training in safe operation, clean-up and maintenance?

2.7. Lack of LOTO procedures for cleaning, servicing and maintenance?

2.8. Lack of inspection regime?

3. Scaffolds

3.1. Unlicensed persons erecting scaffold above 4m?

3.2. Unsafe or incomplete scaffold?

3.3. Lack of inspection protocol for scaffold?

3.4. Incompatible scaffold components? Unlabelled or do not meet AS?

3.5. Safe Work Load (SWL) exceeded? (tools, stored materials, number of persons)

4. Lifting Equipment

4.1. Unsafe or damaged plant?

4.2. Loads lifted over persons, close proximity to obstacles incl. overhead power lines?

4.3. Lack of maintenance, testing and inspection?

4.4. Lack of SWL information displayed?

4.5. Lack of daily inspection protocol?

4.6. Unsafe or damaged lifting equipment, including ropes, slings, chains, hooks?

4.7. Lifting equipment unlabelled, does not meet AS, no SWL displayed?

4.8. Unlicensed operators?

4.9. Lack of LOTO procedures for cleaning, servicing and maintenance?

4.10. SWL of plant or any lifting equipment exceeded?

5. Harness and Equipment

5.1. Unsafe or damaged harness or equipment?

5.2. Incompatible hooks/equipment?

5.3. Unlabelled or does not meet AS?

5.4. Unsafe or uncertified anchor points?

5.5. Lack of inspection protocol for equipment?

5.6. Lack of or inadequate formal training for operators?

6. Ladders

6.1. Unsafe or damaged ladders?

6.2. Unsafe positioning of ladders?

6.3. Ladder not properly secured?

6.4. Ladder unsuitable for job? (e.g. metal ladder used for electrical work)

7. Hazardous Manual Tasks

7.1. Lack of identification hazardous manual tasks?

7.2. Lack of assessment of hazardous manual tasks?

7.3. Inadequate risk controls? (examples: no job rotation, lighter loads, trolleys, lifting equipment, etc)

7.4. Lack of training in risk controls and safe lifting/ team lifting techniques?

8. Hazardous Chemical (including fuel and oil)

8.1. Unsafe storage location? (e.g. flammables near ignition sources, spills could enter stormwater drains, etc)

8.2. Incompatible chemicals stored near each other?

8.3. Inadequate spill containment equipment?

8.4. Safety Data Sheets not accessible on site?

8.5. Lack of emergency procedures for injury/spills/fire etc?

8.6. Excessive quantities stored on site or in vehicles?

8.7. Insufficient ventilation?

8.8. Insufficient, or incorrect, PPE?

8.9. Unsuitable storage containers? (unlabeled or stored in food containers)

9. Emergency Response

9.1. Lack of, or no emergency plans for site?

9.2. Emergency procedures not displayed at site?

9.3. Lack of training and rehearsal of emergency plans?

9.4. Lack of, or inadequate first aid kits aid equipment for site?

9.5. Insufficient access to formally trained First Aiders for all shifts?

9.6. Unsuitable or inadequate communication equipment?

10. Traffic Management

10.1. Lack of, or inadequate, Traffic Management Plan (TMP) in place?

10.2. Lack of training in TMP for all persons on site? (contractors and visitors)

10.3. Inadequate controls for TMP? (physical barriers, bollards, speed limits, flashing lights, spotters, etc)

11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

11.1. Lack of, or inadequate PPE (including sun protection)

11.2. Lack of system to issue, inspect, replace and monitor PPE?

11.3. Lack of training in safe use, clean-up and inspection of PPE?

12. Work Environment

12.1. Lack of/or inadequate amenities? (toilets, wash areas, lunch rooms, etc)

12.2. Insufficient lighting?

12.3. Inadequate housekeeping?

12.4. Lack of, or inadequate noise/ vibration control?

13. Electrical Hazards

13.1. Unsafe electrical leads? (damaged, out of test date or untested)

13.2. Lack of RCD protection?

13.3. Contact with underground assets?

13.4. Contact with overhead electrical lines?

13.5. Overloading outlets?

13.6. Leads placed on ground or on metal structures?

13.7. Electrical equipment near water?

13.8. Electrical equipment near flammables?

13.9. Electrical equipment near chemicals that could cause damage?

13.10. Electrical leads that may be damaged from contact with moving machinery parts?

13.11. Electrical leads on work surfaces?

13.12. Lack of Lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures for electrical equipment?

14. Environmental Hazards

14.1. Lack of/or inadequate Environmental Management plan (EMP)?

14.2. Lack of/or inadequate, dust suppression system?

14.3. Lack of/or inadequate systems to prevent contaminants entering stormwater drains?

14.4. Lack of water re-use systems?

15. Administrative Procedures

15.1. Lack of/or inadequate Site Safety Plan?

15.2. Failure to obtain permits (Council, EPA, WHS, also Hot Works, Confined Space etc)

15.3. Lack of, or inadequate, induction for workers, contractors, visitors?

15.4. Lack or, or inadequate, supervisory arrangements?

15.5. Lack of/or inadequate training, licenses, skills, experience?

15.6. Lack of/or inadequate Safe Work Method Statements (SWSM) for high- risk work?

15.7. Lack of, or inadequate system to review SWMS as needed?

15.8. Lack of/or inadequate incident notification procedures?

15.9. Lack of, or inadequate, routine inspections, monitoring, audits?

15.10. Lack of/or inadequate consultative arrangements?

Corrective Actions

Enter any corrective actions that will be undertaken

Sign Off

On site representative

Auditor's signature

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Frequently asked questions

How can I ensure workers take the hazard assessment process seriously?

Make hazard assessments a visible priority by discussing findings during toolbox talks and safety meetings. Recognize and reward thorough assessments and proactive hazard reporting. Demonstrate management commitment by actively participating in the process and promptly addressing identified hazards. Share near-miss stories that highlight how hazard identification prevented potential incidents.

What documentation should accompany completed hazard assessment checklists?

Include photographs of hazardous conditions, detailed descriptions of specific risks identified, corrective actions assigned with deadlines, follow-up verification that corrections were completed, and signatures from both the assessor and site supervisor. This documentation creates a defensible safety record.

How do I prioritize hazards identified in the assessment?

Evaluate each hazard based on two factors: severity (how serious would an incident be) and probability (how likely is it to occur). Address high-severity/high-probability hazards immediately. Create a timeline for addressing medium-risk hazards, and incorporate low-risk items into routine maintenance schedules.

What’s a good way to train my team on using this checklist effectively?

Start with classroom training explaining each hazard category and what to look for. Follow with guided field practice where experienced assessors demonstrate proper inspection techniques. Provide reference materials with examples of what constitutes “safe” versus “at risk” conditions. Conduct periodic refresher training and share lessons learned from previous assessments to continuously improve the process.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.