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 / YES / NO / N/A / RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15
1.16 / 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
  1. Passageways and staircases
  1. Showers, washbasins and lavatories
  1. Workstations
  1. Traffic routes

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DOCUMENT NO.3: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

SECTION 19.3.1 - General Workplace Safety Checklist(Cont.) Rev.1 Date: Feb 98

2.0 / ENVIRONMENT / YES / NO / N/A / RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7 / 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?
3.0 / HOUSEKEEPING / YES / NO / N/A / RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7 / 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?
4.0 / CHEMICALS (OFFICE TYPES) / YES / NO / N/A / RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4 / Has safe practices been adopted to minimise exposure from hazardous vapours, gases, dusts from the following:
  1. Inks
  1. Correction fluids
  1. Adhesives
  1. Cleaning agents
  1. Toners - from photocopiers
  1. 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?
5.0 / WELFARE AND HEALTH / YES / NO / N/A / RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7 / Are the following facilities adequate and convenient:
  1. Lavatories
  1. Washbasins (including hot water)
  1. Wholesome drinking water
  1. 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?
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
5.16
5.17
5.18 / 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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