CHECKLIST

Use this checklist as a guide to whether your worksite complies with basic health and safety standards.

The answer to each question should be YES. If you answer NO to any question, contact your local organiser.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Trenches and excavations

Head injuries

Explosive powered tools

Trenches and excavations	Yes	No
Do all trenches on site have:
(i) a handrail or suitable barrier around the edge?
(ii) 45o sloping sides or stepped sides - if not, are they shorded up?
(iii) access ladders?





Head injuries	Yes	No
Do all workers on the site wear hard hats?
Are barricades and kickboards erected so that tools won't fall on people below?
Do people working at heights secure their tools with lanyards?





Falls	Yes	No
Do workers on the site wear safety footwear with a good tread so they don't slip or slide?
Do people working at heights wear safety harness
Are floor penetrations securely covered?
Are there one-metre high handrails wherever there is a drop of more than 2.0m?





Alcohol and drugs	Yes	No
Are you sure that people are not working while affected by drugs or alcohol?




Ladders	Yes	No

Are ladders stable and securely fixed at the top and bottom?
Are all the rungs intact and in good condition?
Is the slope of the ladder at least one in four?
Are the ladders standing away from doorways?
Do the ladders extend at least one metre above the top platform?
Are ladders at least 4.6 metres from live conductors?
Are only all-wood ladders used near electrical equipment?





Scaffolding	Yes	No
Are there solid foundations under the scaffolding?
Are there base plates and sole plates for the standards?
Is there adequate bracing in all directions?
Are there handrails and kickboards for all working platforms more than two metres high?
Are all working platforms fully decked (planked)?
Is there safe access?
Is scaffolding tied to the building at least every 3.6 metres in height and length?





Mobile scaffolding	Yes	No
Do your mobile scaffolds have lockable castor wheels?
Are the wheels locked when mobile scaffolding is in use?
Is safe internal ladder access available?
Is the height less than three times the least width of the base?





Explosive powered tools	Yes	No
Is the operator certificated?
Are ear and eye protection worn when the tool is in use?
Is the work area secure?





Bad backs	Yes	No
Are tasks organised so that people don't have to work in awkward, strained postures?
Are mechanical aids such as trolleys, hoists and ramps available to cut down the risk of bad backs and other strain injuries?





Noise	Yes	No
If noisy machinery is used on site, do people using the noisy machinery, or others working near it, wear earmuffs or earplugs?
Is noisy machinery moved as far as possible from the workers?
Is noisy machinery which cannot be moved isolated behind sound-absorbent walls or curtains?





Eye injuries	Yes	No
Are safety glasses or face shields worn when there is a danger of splashes from chemicals or corrosives, or grit in the eye from dust or flying objects?
Are sun-glasses worn?





Chemicals	Yes	No
Are chemicals, corrosives or poisons on site clearly labelled?
Can these labels be read and understood by you and the people using the chemicals
When chemicals, corrosives, poisons or any other potentially hazardous substances are being used does someone on site always read the label and take note of any safety precautions?
Are you and all workers on site fully aware of any health hazards of any chemicals used on site?
Have you got Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals on site so you can check on possible health hazards and know what action to take in the event of an accident?
Is the area where chemicals are used well ventilated?





Dust	Yes	No
When working in dusty conditions, do people on site wear the appropriate dust masks?
Is dust being suppressed?





Skin cancer	Yes	No
Is sunscreen (SPF 15+) available for people on site who are working in the sun?
Are broad brimmed hats (or neck protective attachments to hard hats) worn in summer?





First aid	Yes	No
Is there a type "A" or "B" first aid kit on site?*
Do all workers on site know the procedures to be followed in the event of serious injury or accident?
* "A" is for a site of 25 workers or more, "B" is for fewer than 25 workers.





Notifications	Yes	No
Does your company notify accidents and near misses?





Machinery operators	Yes	No
Do all plant operators on your site hold appropriate certificates of competency?





Amenities	Yes	No
Is there at least one toilet per 20 workers?
If the toilet is not connected to the sewage system, does it have a close fitting lid and regular clearance?
Are there washing facilities?
Is there adequate clean, fresh drinking water?

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United we bargain - Divided we beg.
	Contact the National Office, Construction Division at: Level 12, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: 02 8524 5800 Fax: 02 8524 5801 Email: queries@fed.cfmeu.asn.au Postal address: PO Box Q235, Queen Victoria Building Post Office, Sydney NSW 1230.