Depot Walk Checklist
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About this depot walk checklist
This depot walk checklist gives operations teams a consistent way to spot risk, confirm standards, and close out actions — without relying on memory or “someone will sort it”. Use it for daily walks, weekly standards checks, or pre-peak readiness.
The aim is simple: stop guessing. Start knowing. You leave the floor with clear evidence, clear owners, and a clear plan.
What this depot walk checklist covers
A good depot walk is not a wander with a clipboard. It is a short, structured check that confirms the basics are under control and highlights what needs attention now.
- Preparation checks so you know what you are walking into (PPE, live risks, restricted zones).
- In-process checks across goods-in, warehouse flow, dispatch, and housekeeping.
- Escalation criteria to remove debate when something is unsafe or non-compliant.
- Close-out actions so issues do not linger until the next walk.
How to run a depot walk that actually changes outcomes
Keep it short and frequent. Twenty minutes done consistently beats a two-hour audit that happens once a quarter.
Ask “what could hurt someone today?” first. Start with pedestrian and vehicle separation, fire exits, spills, and MHE basics. If something meets your stop-work threshold, escalate immediately and record what you did.
Capture the why, not just the what. When you log an issue, pick a best-fit cause (process, training, equipment, time pressure). Patterns are where improvement lives.
Escalation criteria you can standardise
Escalation works when everyone uses the same rules. A simple approach:
- Stop-work and escalate immediately for anything that could reasonably cause serious harm (blocked fire exits, unsafe racking, uncontrolled vehicle risk, exposed electrics, untrained equipment use).
- Escalate same day for issues that are controlled but trending the wrong way (repeat housekeeping failures, congestion at bays, recurring process drift).
- Schedule and track for lower-risk fixes that still matter (signage refresh, minor layout improvements, replenishing spill kits).
Make the depot walk visible, not personal
The point is not to catch people out. It is to make standards obvious and action automatic. When a team can see what “good” looks like, you reduce rework, prevent incidents, and protect throughput.
Want this checklist running digitally?
Ocasta replaces paper checks and scattered follow-ups with one simple flow: complete the walk, capture evidence, assign actions, and track close-out. That is how you stop guessing and start knowing what is happening across every depot, every day.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, health and safety, or professional advice. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws, standards, and internal policies.
Included questions
Here's what's included in this depot walk checklist:
Preparation before the depot walk (8)
Set yourself up to spot issues quickly and capture evidence that stands up to scrutiny.
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Text
Date and time of depot walk
Use local time. Include shift (e.g. AM, PM, night).
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Text
Depot name
Use the site name used in reports and signage.
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Person
Depot walk lead
Who is responsible for actions and close-out.
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Dropdown
Area(s) to be covered today
Pick the primary focus area for this walk.
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Yes/No
Correct PPE worn before entering operational areas
Check high-vis, safety footwear, and any site-specific requirements.
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Yes/No
Quick safety brief completed with the on-duty supervisor
Confirm current risks, restricted zones, and any live incidents or maintenance work.
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Yes/No
Any high-risk activity happening during the walk
Examples: working at height, contractors on site, major vehicle movements, electrical work.
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Yes/No
Emergency routes, muster point and first aid information visible
If not visible, note location and raise for immediate fix.
Safety and compliance checks (10)
Look for conditions that could cause injury or a serious incident. If in doubt, stop the job and escalate.
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Yes/No
Pedestrian and vehicle routes clearly separated and in use
Check barriers, walkways, crossings, and that people are not taking shortcuts.
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Yes/No
Speed controls and yard signage in place and readable
Include speed limits, one-way systems, and blind-spot warnings.
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Yes/No
Fire exits, escape routes and fire points unobstructed
No pallets, cages, stock, or waste stored in front of exits or extinguishers.
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Yes/No
No unmanaged slip, trip or spill hazards
If a hazard is present, confirm it is isolated, signed, and being dealt with now.
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Vibe
Overall housekeeping standard
Use your judgement based on clutter, waste control, and clear working areas.
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Yes/No
Manual handling aids available and being used
Examples: pump trucks, lift tables, trolleys. Check for unsafe lifting or carrying.
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Yes/No
MHE pre-use checks completed and recorded
Spot check at least one truck. If checks are missing, treat as a stop-use issue.
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Yes/No
Battery charging / refuelling area safe and tidy
Check ventilation, spill kits, eyewash (if applicable), and no ignition sources.
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Yes/No
Racking condition acceptable with no obvious damage
Look for bent uprights, missing pins, loose base plates, and overloaded bays.
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Yes/No
PPE compliance observed on the floor
If non-compliance is seen, address in the moment and record what you did.
In-process operational checks (8)
Confirm the operation is flowing, standards are consistent, and problems are being surfaced early.
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Yes/No
Goods-in area controlled and not congested
Check dock discipline, staging lanes, and whether deliveries are being processed in order.
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Yes/No
Stock staged correctly and labelled where required
No mixed loads, unclear ownership, or unidentifiable pallets/cages.
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Yes/No
Pick faces and aisles orderly and safe to work
Check for blocked aisles, overhang, unstable stacks, and items stored in walkways.
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Yes/No
Dispatch and loading zones clear and organised
Check bay allocation, load sequencing, and that priority loads are clearly identified.
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Yes/No
Damaged goods and returns process being followed
Check quarantine area, labelling, and that nothing is re-entering stock incorrectly.
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Yes/No
Waste and recycling controlled and not creating risk
No overflow, sharp waste exposed, or waste stored in operational routes.
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Yes/No
Operational updates visible to the team
Examples: daily priorities, service issues, staffing gaps, system outages, peak forecasts.
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Yes/No
Team understands today’s key risks and controls
Ask one or two people: “What’s the main risk today and what are we doing about it?”
Escalation criteria and issue capture (7)
Make escalation consistent. If something meets the threshold, escalate immediately and record the action taken.
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Yes/No
Any stop-work issue found
Examples: blocked fire exit, unsafe racking, uncontrolled vehicle risk, serious spill, exposed electrics, untrained MHE use.
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Text
If yes, what action was taken immediately
Who stopped what, when, and what was made safe.
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Dropdown
Escalation level required
Pick the highest level that applies.
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Text
Issue summary (what, where, risk)
Write it so someone off-site can understand without context.
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Dropdown
Best-fit cause (don’t overthink it)
This helps spot patterns across walks.
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Person
Action owner
One named person — not a team or department.
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Text
Action due date
Use a clear date (e.g. 18 Feb 2026).
Close-out and follow-up (6)
Close the loop so the depot walk creates knowledge — not just notes.
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Yes/No
Actions reviewed with the on-duty supervisor before leaving
Confirm priorities, owners, and what will be fixed today versus scheduled.
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Yes/No
Quick wins completed on the spot where possible
Examples: clear a walkway, replace signage, tidy a spill kit area, remove waste from exits.
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Dropdown
Overall depot status after the walk
Choose the option that best reflects risk and control today.
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Yes/No
Follow-up visit or check required
Use this when issues need verification rather than just an action logged.
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Text
If yes, when is the follow-up planned
Add a date or timeframe (e.g. within 7 days).
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Signature
Sign-off
Confirms the depot walk is complete and actions have been agreed.