Quick answer
A hazard identification checklist is a simple, repeatable prompt that helps WHS officers spot hazards before they cause harm. Good checklists cover the main hazard types, suit the specific workplace, and feed straight into risk assessment and control — they’re a starting point for thinking, not a box-ticking exercise.
The main hazard types to cover
- Physical — slips/trips/falls, noise, machinery, electrical, working at heights
- Chemical — hazardous substances, dusts, fumes
- Ergonomic — manual handling, repetitive tasks, workstation setup
- Psychosocial — workload, bullying, fatigue, exposure to trauma
- Biological and environmental — infection risks, heat, weather
What makes a checklist effective
- Tailored to your actual tasks, equipment, and site
- Specific enough to prompt real observation, not vague
- Linked to action — every “yes, hazard” leads to a risk assessment and control
- Reviewed and updated as work changes
Turning findings into action
A checklist only adds value if findings are assessed and controlled. Record the hazard, rate the risk, choose a control using the hierarchy of controls, assign an owner, and follow up.
Learn the full process
Cert IV WHS (BSB41419) covers hazard identification and risk control end-to-end. FMS Training (RTO 45189) delivers it online. See the course →
Frequently asked questions
How often should hazard checklists be used?
Routinely (for example, regular inspections) and whenever tasks, equipment, or the workplace change.
Should checklists include psychosocial hazards?
Yes — since 2022 these are an explicit part of managing workplace risk in Australia.
Are generic checklists enough?
Use them as a base, but tailor to your workplace to catch the hazards that actually apply.
Become a confident WHS officer
FMS Training (RTO 45189) delivers Cert IV WHS online and self-paced. Explore the course →
Last updated June 2026 · FMS Training, RTO 45189