Site Risk Identification Checklist
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About this site risk checklist
A site risk identification checklist gives teams a consistent way to spot hazards early, act fast, and prove what was checked. It replaces “I think it’s fine” with clear evidence, clear owners, and clear next steps.
Use this checklist for routine walkarounds, site visits, and pre-shift readiness checks — especially in busy, fast-changing environments where risks creep in between handovers.
What this site risk identification checklist covers
- Preparation checks — confirm scope, contacts, and any high-risk work happening today
- In-process checks — identify immediate hazards across walkways, fire safety, external areas, storage, equipment, and chemicals
- Escalation criteria — make “stop and escalate” non-negotiable for immediate danger
- Close-out actions — assign owners, set due dates, and capture evidence so nothing relies on memory
How to use it on the frontline
Run the walk in 10–15 minutes. Start with the areas where people move most (entrances, aisles, loading bays), then check the higher-risk zones (stockrooms, plant rooms, chemical storage). If you find an issue, log it in plain English: what it is, where it is, and what good looks like.
Most importantly: if something could hurt someone today, don’t “note it for later”. Isolate the risk, stop the activity if needed, and escalate immediately.
Escalation criteria you can standardise
To stop guesswork, agree a simple rule: escalate immediately when there is immediate danger (for example blocked fire exits, exposed electrics, missing machine guards, uncontrolled spills, or unsafe vehicle movement). Everything else still needs an owner and a deadline — but it should not compete with urgent risk.
Make the checklist measurable (not just completed)
A completed checklist is not the goal. A safer site is. Track the number of risks logged, how quickly actions close, and whether the same issues keep returning. That’s where performance improves — and where teams stop guessing and start knowing.
Want this checklist running in Ocasta?
Ocasta turns checklists into real-time operational knowledge: results you can see instantly, actions you can assign on the spot, and trends that show where risk is building across sites.
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 site risk checklist:
Preparation and context (8)
Set the scope, confirm access, and make sure you can capture evidence without slowing the operation down.
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Text
Date and time of risk identification walk
Use local time. If this is part of a wider visit, note the visit name in the next question.
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Text
Site name or code
Use the official site reference used by operations.
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Dropdown
Area being checked
Pick the primary area for this walk. If multiple, repeat the checklist or note additional areas in comments.
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Person
Who is leading the walk
The person accountable for identifying risks and logging actions.
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Person
Who is the site contact
The person on site who can confirm controls, access areas, and sign off actions.
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Yes/No
Correct PPE available and being used
Confirm required PPE for the area (for example hi-vis, safety footwear, gloves, eye protection).
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Yes/No
Any high-risk work happening today
Examples: contractor work, work at height, hot works, heavy deliveries, lone working, confined areas. If yes, capture details in the next question.
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Text
High-risk work details and controls in place
What’s happening, where, who is responsible, and what controls are in place (permits, barriers, supervision, isolation).
Immediate hazards and environment (8)
Start with what could hurt someone today. Prioritise slip, trip, fall, vehicle movement, and fire risks.
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Yes/No
Floors are clean, dry, and in good repair
Look for spills, loose mats, damaged tiles, uneven thresholds, and wet floor signage where needed.
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Yes/No
Walkways and aisles are clear and unobstructed
No stock, waste, cables, or equipment stored in walkways or blocking access points.
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Yes/No
Lighting is adequate in all checked areas
Pay attention to stairs, entrances, loading bays, and external routes.
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Yes/No
Stairs and handrails are secure and clear
Check for loose handrails, worn nosings, and items stored on steps or landings.
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Yes/No
Fire exits are clear and unobstructed
Exits must be usable immediately. No stock, bins, cages, or deliveries blocking routes.
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Yes/No
Fire equipment is present and accessible
Extinguishers, call points, and alarm panels are not blocked. Report missing or damaged items immediately.
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Yes/No
External areas are safe and well maintained
Check car parks, paths, steps, loading bays, and lighting. Look for potholes, ice, standing water, and poor signage.
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Yes/No
Vehicle and pedestrian routes are separated where required
Loading bays and yards should have clear markings, barriers, and safe crossing points.
Equipment, storage, and hazardous substances (7)
Check the things that can fail, fall, or cause harm if stored or used incorrectly.
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Yes/No
Racking and shelving are stable and not overloaded
Look for damage, leaning, missing fixings, and unsafe stacking.
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Yes/No
Heavy items are stored safely
Heavier items should be stored at waist height or lower where possible to reduce manual handling risk.
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Yes/No
Manual handling aids are available and being used
Examples: trolleys, pallet trucks, lift tables. Check they are in safe working order and not being bypassed.
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Yes/No
No damaged electrical leads or unsafe overloading
Look for frayed cables, daisy-chained extensions, and trailing leads across walkways.
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Yes/No
Equipment guards and safety features are in place
If a guard is missing or bypassed, stop use and escalate immediately.
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Yes/No
Chemicals are stored, labelled, and secured correctly
No unlabelled containers. Check segregation, ventilation, and access control where required.
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Yes/No
Spill kit is available and complete
Confirm location is known and contents are usable (pads, granules, bags, PPE).
People, behaviours, and compliance (4)
Risks often come from workarounds. Check what people actually do, not what the process says.
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Yes/No
Safe working practices are being followed
Look for rushing, poor posture, unsafe lifting, and shortcuts around controls.
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Yes/No
Contractors are signed in and managed
Confirm induction, supervision, permits (if needed), and barriers/signage are in place.
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Yes/No
Restricted areas are controlled
Plant rooms, chemical stores, and high-risk zones should be locked or access-controlled with clear signage.
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Yes/No
Incident and near-miss reporting process is known
Ask one team member to explain what they would do and who they would tell.
Escalation criteria and close-out (8)
Make escalation unambiguous. Close out with owners, deadlines, and evidence — so nothing relies on memory.
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Yes/No
Any immediate danger identified
Immediate danger means someone could be harmed today (for example blocked fire exit, exposed electrics, unsafe equipment, uncontrolled chemical spill). If yes, stop the activity and escalate now.
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Text
Immediate actions taken
What did you do right away to reduce risk (isolate equipment, cordon area, remove obstruction, call maintenance)? Include times where relevant.
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Dropdown
Escalation required
Choose the highest level needed based on risk and urgency.
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Number
Number of risks logged from this walk
Count distinct issues that need action (not observations that are already compliant).
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Text
Top three risks summary
List the three highest priority issues and where they are located.
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Yes/No
Actions assigned with owners and due dates
Nothing should leave this checklist without a named owner and a deadline.
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Yes/No
Evidence captured for key issues
Capture photos or notes so the next person does not have to guess what ‘fixed’ looks like.
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Signature
Site contact sign-off
Confirms the risks and actions have been reviewed and understood.