The periodic sweep of any workplace that is not a building site: fire, lighting, floors, benches, waste, storage, machinery, electrical, chemicals, ladders, first aid, welfare, office hazards and vehicles. Skip the topics you do not have — they will not count against your score.
Inspection Details
Where, who, and what kind of premises.
Inspection Title
Reference
Site or Company
Address
Area covered
Type of premises — Factory or production, Warehouse or distribution, Workshop or garage, Depot or yard, Office, Retail, School or college, Healthcare, Laboratory, Hospitality, Leisure, Mixed use, Other
Your Company
Inspected by
Your Role
Accompanied by
Date
Time
Since Last Time
The most important section, and the one most often skipped.
Has the previous inspection been read before starting this one? — Yes, No, N/A
Have all of its actions been closed out? — Yes, No, N/A
Which are still open, who owns them, and why?
Have there been any incidents or near misses since the last inspection?
What happened, and did it change anything here?
Has anything changed — new equipment, new process, building work?
What changed, and has it been risk assessed?
Fire and Emergency
Getting out, and putting it out.
Is fire and emergency provision part of this inspection?
Is the evacuation plan displayed where people can read it? — Yes, No, N/A
Have evacuation drills been held within the last twelve months? — Yes, No, N/A
Are extinguishers in position and of the right type for the risk nearby? — Yes, No, N/A
Are extinguishers within their service date? — Yes, No, N/A
Are extinguishers unobstructed and visible? — Yes, No, N/A
Are extinguishers mounted at a sensible height and secure? — Yes, No, N/A
Is fire exit signage present, legible and pointing the right way? — Yes, No, N/A
Do exit doors open from the inside without a key? — Yes, No, N/A
Are escape routes and exits clear of obstruction and storage? — Yes, No, N/A
Has the alarm been tested within its schedule and the test recorded? — Yes, No, N/A
Does emergency lighting work when tested? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the assembly point identified and still reachable? — Yes, No, N/A
Are there enough trained fire wardens on each shift? — Yes, No, N/A
Are fire doors closing fully and not wedged open? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on fire and emergency
Photographs
Lighting
Enough to work by, and enough to inspect by.
Is lighting part of this inspection?
Is lighting adequate for the work being done in each area? — Yes, No, N/A
Is natural light used where it is available? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the workplace free of glare and harsh reflections? — Yes, No, N/A
Are light fittings clean, intact and working? — Yes, No, N/A
Are failed lamps replaced promptly? — Yes, No, N/A
Is external and car park lighting adequate for dark hours? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on lighting
Floors, Walkways and Building
The surfaces people move across, and what is on them.
Is floors and walkways part of this inspection?
Are floor surfaces even, sound and free of trip hazards? — Yes, No, N/A
Are walkways and entrances clear? — Yes, No, N/A
Are pedestrian routes marked where vehicles also operate? — Yes, No, N/A
Are corners and junctions kept clear so people can see each other coming? — Yes, No, N/A
Are stairs, treads and handrails sound and clear? — Yes, No, N/A
Are spills cleaned up quickly, with signage while wet? — Yes, No, N/A
Are guardrails and edge protection in place and secure? — Yes, No, N/A
Are external paths, steps and the car park in good condition? — Yes, No, N/A
Is furniture and fixed equipment sound? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the loading area tidy and safely organised? — Yes, No, N/A
Is safety signage present, current and legible? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on the building
Photographs
Workbenches and Hand Tools
Where people work with their hands.
Is workbenches and hand tools part of this inspection?
Are benches clear of waste and offcuts? — Yes, No, N/A
Are tools not in use returned to a defined place? — Yes, No, N/A
Are hand tools undamaged and fit for use? — Yes, No, N/A
Are portable power tools undamaged and within test? — Yes, No, N/A
Is bench height suitable for the work and the person doing it? — Yes, No, N/A
Are benches and fixtures free of sharp edges and protrusions? — Yes, No, N/A
Where the work is seated, is the seating suitable and adjustable? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on benches and tools
Waste and Housekeeping
A leading indicator for everything else.
Is waste and housekeeping part of this inspection?
Are bins provided where waste is actually generated? — Yes, No, N/A
Are bins emptied often enough that they are not overflowing? — Yes, No, N/A
Are oily rags and combustible waste in closed metal containers? — Yes, No, N/A
Is waste segregated as the site requires, including hazardous streams? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the external waste area tidy, secure and on hard standing? — Yes, No, N/A
Is general housekeeping to a standard you would be happy to show a client? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on waste
Storage and Racking
Loads at height, and what holds them up.
Is storage and racking part of this inspection?
Is material stored in racking or bins rather than stacked on the floor? — Yes, No, N/A
Is racking free of impact damage? — Yes, No, N/A
Are load ratings displayed and being observed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are stacks stable, within safe height, and chocked where round? — Yes, No, N/A
Is storage arranged so people are not lifting from floor level or above shoulder height? — Yes, No, N/A
Can a pallet truck get down every aisle without moving something first? — Yes, No, N/A
Are pallets and containers in serviceable condition? — Yes, No, N/A
Has racking had a documented inspection within its cycle? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on storage
Photographs
Machinery and Plant
Guards, isolation, competence.
Is machinery and plant part of this inspection?
Are machines and the floor around them clean? — Yes, No, N/A
Is every guard present, fixed down and undefeated? — Yes, No, N/A
Do interlocks work and are they not defeated? — Yes, No, N/A
Are start and stop controls within reach of the operator? — Yes, No, N/A
Are emergency stops accessible, unobstructed and tested? — Yes, No, N/A
Are offcuts and swarf removed and stored safely? — Yes, No, N/A
Is leakage contained, and is the source being fixed rather than caught? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there enough working space around each machine? — Yes, No, N/A
Is noise controlled at source where it can be? — Yes, No, N/A
Can the machine be operated without stooping or over-reaching? — Yes, No, N/A
Are working platforms and duckboards sound? — Yes, No, N/A
Are operators trained for the specific machine they are running? — Yes, No, N/A
Could you produce the evidence for it today? — Yes, No, N/A
Do operators work the way they were trained to? — Yes, No, N/A
Are isolation and lock-out procedures in place and followed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are gas cylinders secured upright with valves protected? — Yes, No, N/A
Is planned maintenance up to date with records? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on machinery
Photographs
Electrical
The check that takes longest and finds most.
Is electrical safety part of this inspection?
Is residual current protection fitted where it is needed? — Yes, No, N/A
Has that protection been tested within its cycle and the test recorded? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the workplace free of daisy-chained boards and multi-way adapters? — Yes, No, N/A
Is portable equipment tested and labelled to your local regime? — Yes, No, N/A
Are accessories free of cracks, scorching and loose parts? — Yes, No, N/A
Are leads kept out of walkways and doorways? — Yes, No, N/A
Are leads free of damage, taped repairs and strain at the plug? — Yes, No, N/A
Are hand-held power tools sound — casing, switch, guard and cable entry? — Yes, No, N/A
Are distribution boards labelled, closed and clear in front? — Yes, No, N/A
Are emergency shut-off points identified and reachable? — Yes, No, N/A
Is electrical equipment kept away from water and wet processes? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on electrical
Photographs
Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
What is here, what it does, and who knows.
Is chemicals and hazardous substances part of this inspection?
Is there a current register of the substances actually on site? — Yes, No, N/A
Can a safety data sheet be produced for each of them? — Yes, No, N/A
Has each hazardous substance been risk assessed for how it is used here? — Yes, No, N/A
Is every container labelled with its real contents? — Yes, No, N/A
Have substances no longer needed been disposed of properly? — Yes, No, N/A
Are substances stored as their data sheets require, including segregation? — Yes, No, N/A
Is bunding or secondary containment provided where a spill would matter? — Yes, No, N/A
Is a spill kit available, stocked and appropriate? — Yes, No, N/A
Are the people using them trained in the risks and the controls? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the right PPE provided, worn and in serviceable condition? — Yes, No, N/A
Is extraction or ventilation adequate and working? — Yes, No, N/A
Has local exhaust ventilation been examined within its cycle? — Yes, No, N/A
Are eyewash and emergency showers present, unobstructed and flushed? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on chemicals
Photographs
Ladders and Access Equipment
The most common single defect anywhere.
Is ladders and access equipment part of this inspection?
Are ladders rated for commercial or industrial use rather than domestic? — Yes, No, N/A
Are ladders undamaged — stiles, rungs, feet and fixings? — Yes, No, N/A
Where used near electrical work, are they non-conductive? — Yes, No, N/A
Are ladders footed, secured and used at the right angle? — Yes, No, N/A
Do they extend far enough above the landing to hold while stepping off? — Yes, No, N/A
Is a ladder the right choice, rather than a platform or tower? — Yes, No, N/A
Are ladders inspected on a schedule, with damaged ones removed from service? — Yes, No, N/A
Are step stools and kick stools sound and used instead of chairs? — Yes, No, N/A
Where MEWPs or towers are used, are they inspected and operated by trained people? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on ladders
First Aid and Welfare
What happens when something goes wrong, and the basics between times.
Is first aid and welfare part of this inspection?
Are first aid kits present in the right places, clean and orderly? — Yes, No, N/A
Are contents checked on a schedule and replenished? — Yes, No, N/A
Is everything within its expiry date? — Yes, No, N/A
Are kits clearly identified and easy to reach? — Yes, No, N/A
Do people know where the nearest kit is? — Yes, No, N/A
Are there enough trained first aiders for each shift, and are they available? — Yes, No, N/A
Are emergency contact numbers displayed, with the site address on them? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there an accident record and is it being used? — Yes, No, N/A
Where a defibrillator is provided, is it accessible and checked? — Yes, No, N/A
Are toilets, washing facilities and drinking water provided and clean? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there somewhere to take a break away from the work area? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on first aid and welfare
Office and Display Screen Work
The hazards that accumulate instead of happening.
Is office areas part of this inspection?
Are filing cabinets stable, with only one drawer opening at a time? — Yes, No, N/A
Are chairs sound, adjustable and on five-star bases? — Yes, No, N/A
Are desks undamaged and at a workable height? — Yes, No, N/A
Are screens positioned to avoid glare and at a comfortable distance? — Yes, No, N/A
Have workstation assessments been done for regular screen users? — Yes, No, N/A
Is work organised so people get breaks from continuous screen use? — Yes, No, N/A
Are printers and copiers sited where fumes and noise do not accumulate? — Yes, No, N/A
Is heating and ventilation maintained and the temperature reasonable? — Yes, No, N/A
Are floor coverings sound, non-slip and free of trailing leads? — Yes, No, N/A
Is storage arranged so nothing needs a chair to reach? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on office areas
Vehicles and Site Traffic
Anything driven, and the people near it.
Is vehicles and site traffic part of this inspection?
Is scheduled maintenance up to date with records? — Yes, No, N/A
Are daily or pre-use checks being completed and recorded? — Yes, No, N/A
Are tyres in good condition and correctly inflated? — Yes, No, N/A
Are brakes effective? — Yes, No, N/A
Do all lights, indicators, beacons and reversing alarms work? — Yes, No, N/A
Are seats and seatbelts in good condition and used? — Yes, No, N/A
Is a first aid kit carried and adequate? — Yes, No, N/A
Are loads secured and within rated capacity? — Yes, No, N/A
Are lift truck operators trained, authorised and in date? — Yes, No, N/A
Are pedestrians and vehicles separated, with crossings marked? — Yes, No, N/A
Are speed limits and one-way routes marked and observed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are reversing areas controlled, with banksmen or mirrors where needed? — Yes, No, N/A
Is battery charging or refuelling done in a suitable, ventilated area? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on vehicles
Photographs
People and Procedures
Ask somebody. It is the fastest way to find out if any of this is real.
Is people and procedures part of this inspection?
Speak to one or two people working in the area. Make clear you are checking the arrangements, not testing them — because you are.
Is required PPE actually being worn? — Yes, No, N/A
Is PPE in serviceable condition and replaced when needed? — Yes, No, N/A
Is manual handling done properly, with aids where they exist? — Yes, No, N/A
Can people describe the safe way to do their own job? — Yes, No, N/A
Can people describe what to do in an emergency? — Yes, No, N/A
Do people know how to report a hazard, and believe it will be acted on? — Yes, No, N/A
Do people believe they can stop work if something is unsafe? — Yes, No, N/A
Are new starters and contractors inducted before they work here? — Yes, No, N/A
Where people work alone, are the arrangements adequate and known? — Yes, No, N/A
Anything worth recording from those conversations
Findings and Actions
What has to change, who is doing it, and by when.
Was anything stopped or isolated during this inspection?
What, and who was told?
Corrective actions
What needs doing
Exactly where
Priority — Stop work, Today, This week, Before next inspection
Owner — a person, not a department
Due by
Photo
Anything worth repeating elsewhere?
General comments
Any other photographs
Overall condition of the workplace — Good, Acceptable, Needs attention, Poor
Next inspection due
Inspector — signature
Site representative — name
Site representative — signature
Health & Safety
General Workplace Inspection
The periodic sweep of any workplace that is not a building site: fire, lighting, floors, benches, waste, storage, machinery, electrical, chemicals, ladders, first aid, welfare, office hazards and vehicles. Skip the topics you do not have — they will not count against your score.
✓Free — no account, no trial, no card.
Fill this in and download the finished PDF. Your answers stay on this device as you type. We ask for an email address once, at the download.
0 of 185 answered0%
A general workplace inspection is the periodic walk somebody does around a premises to find the things that have drifted: blocked exits, a damaged lead, an extinguisher nobody has serviced, racking loaded past its rating. This one covers fourteen topics and lets you skip the ones that do not apply, and you can fill it in here and download a finished PDF without creating an account.
This is the non-construction one
Construction sites have their own document, because their hazards are different and their inspection cycle is faster. This form is for everywhere else: factories, warehouses, workshops, depots, garages, offices, schools, clinics, retail back-of-house.
That breadth is why it gates. An office has no machine guards and a workshop has no photocopier fumes, and a single flat list forces both to scroll past most of it. Answer No to a topic and it disappears — and the routing question itself is never scored, because "we have no vehicles" is not a safety failure and must never be recorded as one.
Start with the last one
The first section asks whether the previous inspection has been reviewed and whether its actions are closed. That is deliberately first, and it is the question most often skipped.
An inspection regime where findings are recorded and never closed out is worse than no regime at all. It produces a documented history of a known hazard that nobody fixed, which is precisely the document that gets read aloud afterwards. If last time's actions are still open, that is this inspection's most important finding and you have it before you start walking.
The checks people get wrong
Four recur everywhere, and all four are quick:
Extinguishers — look at the service tag, not the extinguisher. A full extinguisher nobody has certified is a finding, and one with a pallet in front of it is a worse one.
Leads and portable equipment — walk the leads. Damaged insulation, taped repairs, leads under doors or through water, daisy-chained boards. It takes the longest and finds the most.
Racking — look for impact damage at forklift height on the uprights. Bent uprights are how racking collapses, and they are invisible from the aisle you normally walk down.
Emergency lighting — press the test switch. Emergency lights fail silently and are only discovered in the dark.
What a finding needs to be useful
An item marked No is only worth recording if somebody can act on it without ringing you. Four things make that true: what the defect actually is, exactly where it is, a named owner, and a date.
Speak while you walk, and the document the law or the client wants writes itself. "Bay 4, second upright from the end, impact damage at fork height, about 30mm deflection" is what you can say standing in front of it. An hour later it is "racking — No", and nobody can find it.
Common questions
How often should a workplace inspection be done?
Monthly or quarterly is common for a general sweep, with higher-risk areas looked at more often and specific items on their own statutory cycles — fire equipment, emergency lighting, portable appliance testing, lifting equipment. The right frequency is the one where findings are still few enough to close before the next one.
Who should carry out a workplace inspection?
Somebody competent, meaning they have the training and experience to recognise the hazards and the authority to get things fixed. Doing it with a worker representative from the area is better than doing it alone — they know what happens when nobody is watching.
What is the difference between an inspection and a risk assessment?
An inspection looks at conditions on a given day and finds what has drifted. A risk assessment is an analytical exercise that identifies hazards in a task or process and decides what controls are needed. Inspections check whether those controls are still in place; they do not replace the assessment.
Do I have to keep the records?
In most jurisdictions, yes for anything statutory, and in practice for everything else — the inspection record is the evidence that you were looking. Keep a rolling year at minimum, and keep the closed actions alongside the findings, because the closure is the half that protects you.
What if I find something dangerous during the inspection?
Deal with it then, not in the report. Stop the work, isolate the equipment, barrier the area — then record what you found and what you did. An inspection that logged a serious hazard and walked past it is a difficult document to explain.