Checklist · Site Safety & Administration
Take 5 Safety Checklist
A quick five-step pre-task risk check (Stop, Look, Assess, Control, Proceed) for workers to complete before starting a job or when conditions change.
31 checklist items · Last reviewed
Checklist Items
| Item | Pass / Yes | Fail / No |
|---|---|---|
| JOB DETAILS | ||
| Name | ||
| Date | ||
| Time | ||
| Site / Location | ||
| Task to be Performed | ||
| STEP 1 — STOP AND THINK | ||
| Do I understand the task and how to do it safely? | Yes | No |
| Am I trained, competent and (if required) licensed for this task? | Yes | No |
| Is there a SWMS, JSA or procedure for this task, and have I read it? | Yes | No |
| Am I fit for work (not fatigued, unwell or impaired)? | Yes | No |
| STEP 2 — LOOK (IDENTIFY HAZARDS) | ||
| Working at height or near an open edge | Yes | No |
| Mobile plant or vehicles operating nearby | Yes | No |
| Electrical hazards (live services, leads, overhead lines) | Yes | No |
| Underground services or excavations | Yes | No |
| Manual handling (heavy, awkward or repetitive loads) | Yes | No |
| Hazardous substances, dust or fumes | Yes | No |
| Noise, heat or weather conditions | Yes | No |
| Slip, trip or housekeeping hazards | Yes | No |
| Other workers or the public in the area | Yes | No |
| Other Hazards Identified | ||
| STEP 3 — ASSESS THE RISK | ||
| Risk Level Before Controls (Low / Medium / High) | ||
| Could this task seriously injure me or someone else? | Yes | No |
| STEP 4 — CONTROL THE HAZARDS | ||
| Controls Put in Place | ||
| Correct PPE selected, inspected and worn | Pass | Fail |
| Tools and equipment inspected and fit for use | Pass | Fail |
| Area barricaded or exclusion zone set up (if required) | Pass | Fail |
| Isolations / permits in place (if required) | Pass | Fail |
| Risk Level After Controls (Low / Medium / High) | ||
| STEP 5 — PROCEED SAFELY | ||
| Is the risk now acceptable to start work? | Yes | No |
| If NO: supervisor notified and work stopped | Yes | No |
| Worker Signature | ||
| Supervisor Signature (if required) | ||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Take 5?
A Take 5 is a short personal risk assessment a worker completes before starting a task, or when conditions change. The five steps are: stop and think, look for hazards, assess the risk, control the hazards, then proceed safely. It usually takes a few minutes and fits on one page.
Is a Take 5 a legal requirement?
Take 5s are not named in the WHS Act or Regulations. They are one way workers can meet their duty to take reasonable care, and one way a PCBU can show that hazards are being identified and controlled. Many principal contractors and mine sites make them mandatory as a site rule.
Take 5 vs JSA vs SWMS: what is the difference?
A SWMS is legally required for high-risk construction work and covers the whole activity. A JSA (job safety analysis) breaks a task that is not HRCW into steps and records hazards and controls for each one. A Take 5 is the quick check an individual does at the workface, right before starting, to confirm the planned controls actually fit the conditions on the day.
What should I do if the risk is still high after controls?
Do not start the work. Stop, tell your supervisor, and get the task reassessed. That may mean updating the SWMS or JSA, getting different equipment or adding controls.