Site safety inspection checklist
A site safety inspection checklist is a walk-around tool to catch hazards before they cause an incident. Use it to check access and egress, housekeeping, edge protection and penetrations, plant and electrical safety, PPE, amenities, and emergency readiness, and to record what needs fixing and by when.
Site safety inspection checklist
Company: ____________
Site: ____________
Date: ____________
Access, egress and housekeeping
| Site access and paths are clear and safe | N/A · Action | |
| Materials stored and stacked safely | N/A · Action | |
| Rubbish and offcuts removed, no trip hazards | N/A · Action | |
| Adequate lighting for the work | N/A · Action | |
| Public and pedestrian protection in place | N/A · Action |
Hazards and controls
| Edge protection and penetration covers in place | N/A · Action | |
| Exclusion zones set up and signed | N/A · Action | |
| Trenches and excavations supported and barricaded | N/A · Action | |
| SWMS in place for high risk work and being followed | N/A · Action | |
| Signage and barricades adequate and current | N/A · Action |
Plant, electrical and PPE
| Plant inspected, licensed operators, spotters where needed | N/A · Action | |
| Leads and tools tested and tagged, RCDs in use | N/A · Action | |
| Chemicals stored correctly with SDS available | N/A · Action | |
| Workers wearing the required PPE | N/A · Action | |
| Amenities clean and adequate | N/A · Action |
Emergency
| First aid kit stocked and location known | N/A · Action | |
| Emergency contacts and muster point displayed | N/A · Action | |
| Extinguishers in place and in date | N/A · Action | |
| Incident reporting process understood | N/A · Action |
Completed by: ____________________
Signature: ____________________
swmspack.com · Free printable checklist. Not legal advice; adapt to your site.
Common questions
▸How often should a site safety inspection be done?
Routine inspections are usually weekly, with daily pre-start checks of the work area and additional inspections when conditions change. Set the frequency in your safety plan.
▸Who does the site safety inspection?
Usually the site supervisor or a competent person, ideally with a worker representative. The point is a consistent walk-around by someone who can act on what they find.
Inspections check the controls; a SWMS sets them out before the work starts.
A checklist confirms controls are in place; a SWMS is the document the law requires before high risk construction work starts. Generate a site-specific one for your trade.