Health &Safety

Inspection
Checklist

Please photocopy before use

 How to use
this checklist
Safety reps have extensive legal rights to carry 1 Photocopy this checklist to use as the basis of your own customised
out inspections of the workplace. It is important version. Add items which are relevant to your particular workplace on
for GMB Safety Reps to exercise this right and additional sheets of paper, based upon the list on the back page. You will
undertake regular inspections. Inspecting the need to develop your own questions for these areas. The question already
workplace allows you to meet your members and listed on the following pages cover a number of basic areas only, although
discuss their concerns. This shows that you are many of them will apply to most workplaces. Drawing up your own
serious about tackling the health and safety issues customised version will allow you to ask the questions which you want to
which affect them and helps to maintain the about health and safety in your workplace. This way you will have a
GMB’s profile. For full details of when you are checklist which suits your needs. You do not have to cover all the areas
entitled to inspect see Section Six of the listed, so ignore anything on the checklist which doesn’t apply.
GMB Safety Reps Handbook. 2 Decide which works areas are to be inspected. If you work in a small
This checklist is designed to help Safety Reps carry establishment it may be appropriate to check the whole area. In the case
out workplace inspections. Its aim is to help you of a larger establishment, particular workplaces or sections can be
cover some of the most important areas and inspected separately.
consider what improvements need to be made. 3 As you inspect, work through the questions on your checklist and decide
Some of the questions may not apply to your which measures need to be taken according the following procedure:
particular workplace and some new ones may need a) If action is not needed(ie improvements have already been carried out or
to be added. The best checklists are those the inspection has found the area to be safe)tick the NO ACTION column
developed by Safety Reps using their knowledge opposite the relevant question.
and experience of their workplace. Use this
b) If improvements are needed tick the ACTION column. The ACTION column
checklist as a basis for developing one of your own,
should also be ticked if measures have already been taken but further
amending it where necessary to suit your needs.
action is necessary.
The checklist will not solve your problems, but it is a c) If urgent action is necessary tick the URGENT ACTION column.
tool for identifying the priority areas for
d) In the COMMENTS section, write your notes on the action which needs to
improvements. Carry out regular inspections and
be taken. You may need extra paper to take notes whilst carrying out your
use your checklist each time you do so. Check the
inspection.
accident book before you inspect to find out details
of any accidents which may have occurred. When 4 After the inspection, insure that management is informed of the problems
you are on your rounds, communicate with your and take appropriate action to resolve them. Always make your reports in
members. Listen to what they have to say and take writing using your GMB Safety Representatives Report Forms. See Sections
note of their suggestions for improvements. Six and Seven of the GMB Safety Reps Handbook for more information on
Conducting short surveys amongst your action after the inspection and resolving problems. Keep a record of the
membership can also provide useful information on date, the area(s)inspected and a copy of the checklist for your records.
their common problems and concerns. Use your copy to check that management have taken the appropriate
action.
 NO URGENT
ACTION ACTION ACTION COMMENTS
LIGHTING
Are all areas of the workplace, including relevant outside areas
adequately lit?
Have excessive glare and reflections have been eliminated?
Are workstations properly positioned to make the best use of natural
light?
Is local lighting provided to workstations where necessary?
Is emergency lighting provided, with an independent power source
which activates automatically when normal lighting fails?
Does emergency lighting provide enough light?

NOISE
Is the workplace too noisy?
Is noise reduced at source by the provision of properly designed, well
maintained and adjusted tools or machines?
Are noise levels reduced by the use of sound-absorbent materials?
Can the source of any excessive noise be enclosed or isolated?
Is suitable hearing protection provided if noise levels cannot be
reduced by any other means?

TEMPERATURE, VENTILATION &EXTRACTION

Is the workplace too hot or too cold?
Can measures be taken to control temperature extremes?
Is there enough natural ventilation in the workplace, eg windows or
open doorways?
If natural ventilation is insufficient, are ventilators, fans or air
conditioners provided to ensure a consistent flow of fresh air?
Is machinery and equipment which generates heat or fumes isolated or
enclosed?
Are adequate extraction systems fitted to machinery or equipment, or
is local exhaust ventilation provided where necessary?
Are ventilation and extraction systems regularly cleaned and
maintained to ensure their efficiency?

HOUSEKEEPING &WASTE MATERIALS

Is the workplace kept generally clean and tidy?
Are appropriate and convenient storage racks provided for tools, raw
materials, parts and products?
Are oil spills and other ‘slips, trips and falls’ hazards promptly cleaned
up or removed?
Are all work areas cleaned and tidied up daily(or more frequently if
necessary), with all hazardous waste materials disposed of properly?
Are there enough waste receptacles or containers of adequate size?
Is there provision for proper drainage of waste water or other liquids?
 NO URGENT
ACTION ACTION ACTION COMMENTS
TRAFFIC ROUTE &PASSAGEWAYS
Are there separate routes for pedestrians and traffic(eg fork lift
trucks, etc)in the workplace?
Are aisles, passageways and traffic routes free from obstructions and
other hazards, and clearly marked for safe movement of people,
vehicles and materials?
Have measures been taken to prevent workers from being struck by
moving materials or vehicles?
Are warning notices, signs or signals posted where hazardous
conditions exist?
Are barriers placed around temporary floor openings, and used to
restrict access to dangerous machines and processes?
Are sharp, dangerous or hot objects removed, or located so that
workers cannot be hurt accidentally?

EMERGENCY EXITS
Are all fire escapes and routes to emergency exit free from obstacles?
Are all emergency escape exits clearly marked?
Are there enough fire extinguishers of the correct type within easy
reach and near each exit?
Have workers been instructed in the evacuation procedures in the
event of an emergency?

FALLS OR FALLING OBJECTS

Are all staircases secure and fitted with suitable handrails?
Are ladders, platforms, crawling boards and other equipment for
working at heights in good repair and suitable for the task?
Are all fragile roofs and surfaces clearly identified?
Have measures been taken to prevent falls into vessels containing
dangerous substances?
Are materials and objects adequately stored or stacked to prevent
them from falling and causing injury?
Are vehicles unloaded safely, without workers having to climb on top
vehicles or loads?

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Are there any exposed, loose or entangled wires or connections?
Are all switchboxes, panel boards and sockets provided with suitable
covers?
Is all electrical equipment effectively earthed?
Is all electrical equipment regularly inspected for signs of wear and
tear?
 NO URGENT
ACTION ACTION ACTION COMMENTS
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Have all substances used in the workplace been assessed and
adequately controlled under the COSHH Regulations?
Have safer materials and substances been substituted where
possible?
Are dust or fume producing machines enclosed or isolated?
Are sources of hazardous gases or vapours completely enclosed or
sealed?
Is local exhaust ventilation adequate? Is it regularly cleaned and
maintained?
Is suitable protective equipment provided where exposure cannot be
controlled by other means?

HANDLING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Is work organised to eliminate or minimise the handling of hazardous
materials?
Where direct handling is unavoidable, are workers provided with
suitable personal protective equipment, clothing and gloves?
Are there emergency procedures and facilities for dealing with
chemical spillages and other accidents?
Are all hazardous substances and materials properly labelled?
Is suitable protective equipment provided with the full information,
instruction and training on the hazards of the materials?

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Has the need to use personal protective equipment been minimised by
the introduction of other risk control measures?
Is the protective equipment provided(eg safety glasses, face shields,
masks, ear defenders, safety footwear, helmets, gloves, etc)suitable
for the task?
Has all protective equipment which is used only at work been provided
at no cost to the worker?
Is all protective equipment in good condition and well maintained?
Have all workers who use personal protective equipment been
provided with full information on the risks they are being protected
from, and given instruction and training on proper use of the
equipment?
 NO URGENT
ACTION ACTION ACTION COMMENTS
MACHINE SAFETY
Are all moving parts of machines and equipment fitted with
appropriate guards?
Are all machinery guards securely fastened to the machines?
Do machines have safety cut-out switches or other safety devices to
prevent the operation of machines while workers’ hands are in danger?
Can emergency stop controls be easily reached by all machine
operators?
Are safety devices and controls regularly checked, and the machines
properly maintained to ensure safe working?
Is maintenance work carried out safely, and machinery maintenance
logs kept up to date?

TOOLS &EQUIPMENT
Are tools and work equipment suitable for the job?
Are tools of appropriate size, and shaped for easy and safe use?
Are locking devices(or similar)fitted to tools to reduce gripping or
handling force and vibration?
Are all tolls and equipment kept in good repair and properly
maintained?
Has the location where the equipment or tools are being used been
assessed to identify any particular risks which may arise? For
example, working in confined spaces or a flammable atmosphere?
Is training provided for those who use tools and work equipment, and
also for their managers and supervisors?

LIFTING &HANDLING
Have all work tasks been assessed to determine whether the handling
of loads can be avoided altogether?
Have manual handling assessments taken account of factors other
than weight, such as the size and shape of the load and the condition
of the work environment?
Is mechanical equipment, such as lever, conveyors, vacuum lifters,
cranes, lift trucks and trolleys used to avoid manual handling?
Can the load be altered(for example, by reducing the size or weitht or
providing handles)to reduce the risk of injury?
Are workers properly trained in lifting and other manual handling
techniques?
 NO URGENT
ACTION ACTION ACTION COMMENTS
WORK DESIGN
Does the layout of working surfaces, controls and equipment cause
workers to bend, stretch or adopt awkward postures?
Are footstands or platforms provided for standing workers to avoid the
need to work with raised hands or arms?
Are workbenches or tables for seated workers positioned at the
correct height to avoid awkward hand and are positions?
Are frequently operated switches and controls easily distinguishable
from each other by clearly identified sizes, shapes, colours and
positions?
Are all racks, storage bins and materials within easy reach of workers?

SEATING
Could work which is carried out standing be done just as well whilst
seated?
Are all seats individually adjustable to suit the height of the work
surface and posture of the worker, and are footrests provided when
necessary?
Are seats in good condition, with comfortable surfaces and cushions?
Do chairs have correctly sizd and positioned backrests to provide
lower back support?

FIRST AID FACILITIES

Is there at least one fully equipped first iad box provided in all
workplaces?
Where necessary, is there a first aid room with adequate facilities and
equipment(taking into account the type of work or workplace, the
numbers employed, etc)?
Is there a sufficient number of qualified first-aiders?
Are qualified first-aiders available at all times(on late and night shifts,
for example)?

WORKPLACE FACILITIES
Are there sufficient toilet facilities near to work areas, with separate
hand washing facilities and an adequate supply of hot water, soap or
hand cleaners?
Are toilet and washing facilities regularly cleaned and in a sanitary
condition?
Is a clean locker room provided for changing clothes, with facilities for
separating soiled working clothes from personal clothing?
Is there a comfortable separate room for workers to take rest breaks?
Is there a separate rest room(or area of the rest room)for non-
smokers?
Is there a rest room for pregnant women and nursing mothers, near to
sanitary facilities and with somewhere to lie down?
Is there an adequate supply of fresh drinking water?
Is there a separate, hygienic and comfortable eating area which is
adequate for the numbers employed?
The questions on the preceding pages will not cover Some items which may need to be
all the things you may need to check during the checked could include:
course of your inspection. They will get you
• Accident reporting arrangements • Occupational health provision
started, but you will need to add subjects from the
list opposite to your checklist. The exact items you • Asbestos • Office furniture and equipment
add will depend upon the particular circumstances • Boilers and boiler-rooms • Overcrowding and
in your workplace. • Cleanliness(windows, work space requirements
You will need to develop specific questions for each surfaces, general state of the • Protection of pregnant women
subject, perhaps after you have carried out one or building etc) and nursing mothers
two inspections to get the feel of things. The lsit • Competent persons –their • Planned changes to processes,
opposite is not exhaustive and there may be other appointment and ability(ie the machinery or work organisation
areas or subjects not listed which need to checked skills and knowledge to do the job) • Risk assessments
at you workplace. Use your knowledge and • Deliveries to, and goods out of, • Transport
experience of the workplace to add anything which the workplace
is not listed to your own customised checklist. • Safe systems of work
• Doors, gates and escalators
• Safety supervision
• Dust control measures and management
• Display screen equipment(VDUs) • Supervision and training for
• Eye protection young and inexperienced workers
• Food hygiene • Shiftwork arrangements
• Fire precautions • Violence to staff
• Health and safety training and • Welfare and welfare facilities
instruction • Work in confined spaces
• Health surveillance arrangements • Workers with exceptional or
• Information provision addition needs(eg, safety systems
• Loading and unloading(of goods, and welfaire facilities covering
materials, products etc) the needs of disabled workers,
young workers, trainees etc)
• Lone workers
• Work organisation(ie too much
• Maintenance activities
work, repetitive or monotonous
• Non routine operations work, too little control over how
(for example, work activities the job is done etc)
which don’t necessarily happen
• Working time and rest breaks
everyday, or those that are not
(systems of work or work
being carried out at the time
schedule, too few rest breaks
General Secretary: Paul Kenny of inspection)
or difficulties taking breaks)
Deputy General Secretary: Debbie Coulter
National Office: 22–24 Worple Road
London SW19 4DD
Tel 020 8947 3131
Fax 020 8944 6552
www.gmb.org.uk