DEPARTMENT SAFETY STATEMENT
DOCUMENT NO.3: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
SECTION 19.3.1
- General Workplace Safety Checklist
Rev.1 Date: Feb 98
 This assessment must be carried out by the relevant Department/Section Head (or their nominee).
 This checklist will help identify hazards in offices and enable subsequent Risk Assessments to be completed where
hazards cannot be eliminated. [See Section 19.1 - 19.5].
 Please retain this form within the department/section when completed
Room/Location: ________________________________________________________________________________
Assessed By: ________________________________________________Date: ___________________
1.0
LAYOUT
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Is room layout and design satisfactory?
Are desks/chairs well situated for user?
Are desks/chairs in good condition?
Are access and egress routes adequate and well
defined?
Is floor space adequate (i.e. 4.5m2/person)?
Has the work room sufficient height and airspace
(i.e. 8-10ft)?
Are rest rooms equipped with adequate chairs
and tables?
Are non-smokers protected against tobacco
smoke in rest rooms?
Are storage areas adequate and accessible?
Are transparent doors appropriately marked at a
conspicuous level?
Are swing doors provided with see through
panels?
Does glazing in doors or critical areas meet
safety-glazing BS6262?
Are extension cables and phone lines safely
positioned?
Are students/staff able to open, close, adjust or
secure windows and skylights easily i.e. are they
easily accessible and safe to manipulate without
risk of falling or other injuries?
Can they be cleaned without risk to staff/students
or others present in the building?
Are the following organised to take account of
staff/students with special needs:
1. Doors
2. Passageways and staircases
3. Showers, washbasins and lavatories
4. Workstations
5. Traffic routes
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15
1.16
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YES
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NO
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
DOCUMENT NO.3: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
SECTION 19.3.1
- General Workplace Safety Checklist (Cont.)
2.0
ENVIRONMENT
2.1
2.2
Is ventilation adequate throughout the year?
Are temperatures comfortable (min. 17.50C)
throughout the year?
Can excessive sunlight be regulated by means of
blinds etc.?
Is workroom free from draughts, and external
fumes?
Is there sufficient natural light for the tasks?
Is there sufficient artificial light for the tasks?
Is workroom free from excessive or nuisance
noise sources?
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
3.0
HOUSEKEEPING
3.1
3.2
3.3
Is standard of cleanliness satisfactory?
Are waste materials removed on a daily basis?
Are periodic housekeeping audits/checks carried
out?
Are aisles or exits kept free of obstruction?
Are floor coverings free from tears or raised
portions?
Are materials/stationery stored at safe heights?
Are filing cabinets kept closed when not in use?
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
4.0
CHEMICALS (OFFICE TYPES)
4.1
Has safe practices been adopted to minimise
exposure from hazardous vapours, gases, dusts
from the following:
1. Inks
2. Correction fluids
3. Adhesives
4. Cleaning agents
5. Toners - from photocopiers
6. Ozone - from photocopiers
Are flammable adhesives/solvents stored
safely?
Are product warning labels read?
Are Material Safety Data Sheets for office
chemicals available, up-dated and read by
users?
4.2
4.3
4.4
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Rev.1 Date: Feb 98
YES
NO
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
YES
NO
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
YES
NO
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
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DOCUMENT NO.3: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
SECTION 19.3.1
- General Workplace Safety Checklist (Cont.)
5.0
WELFARE AND HEALTH
5.1
Are the following facilities adequate and
convenient:
1. Lavatories
2. Washbasins (including hot water)
3. Wholesome drinking water
4. Eating and rest areas
Are first aid treatment facilities available
nearby?
Are first aid boxes marked and adequate?
Are appropriate facilities provided where
pregnant women and nursing mothers can lie
down and rest?
Are changing rooms provided for employees if
they have to wear special work clothes?
Are changing rooms easily accessible?
Are changing rooms of sufficient capacity?
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
5.16
5.17
5.18
YES
NO
Rev.1 Date: Feb 98
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
Are changing rooms provided with seating?
Do they contain facilities to lock away clothes
during working hours?
Do circumstances e.g. dangerous chemicals,
require separate lockers for work clothes?
Do separate changing rooms exist for men and
women?
If required due to the nature of the work or for
health reasons, are adequate and suitable
showers provided?
Are there separate shower rooms for men and
women or is there a provision for separate use
of such shower rooms?
Do satisfactory hygiene conditions exist in
shower room(s)?
Are showers equipped with hot and cold
running water?
Where showers are not required, under 5.12, are
adequate and suitable washbasins with running
water (including hot water) provided in the
vicinity of workstations and changing rooms?
Are staff/students provided with lavatories and
wash basins in the vicinity of their
workstations?
Are such facilities in 5.13, also provided in the
vicinity of rest rooms, changing rooms and
shower or wash rooms?
N.B. See also Section 18.1.0 OFFICE in Document No.2 for Requirements
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