Australia SafeWork Construction Safety Checklist

This comprehensive Australian construction safety checklist ensures compliance with SafeWork Australia requirements and state-based Work Health and Safety (WHS) Acts for NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and other states. Covers WHS Management Plans, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high-risk construction work (HRCW), plant registration requirements, White Card verification, height safety, and electrical safety. Essential for PCBUs, site supervisors, and WHS officers across Australian constructio

Industry: Construction
Frequency: Daily / Weekly
Estimated Time: 30-40 minutes
Role: Site Supervisor / WHS Officer / PCBU Representative
Total Items: 42
Compliance: SafeWork Australia, WHS Act, AS/NZS Standards, SWMS

WHS Management Plan

Verify WHS Management Plan requirements per WHS Regulations.

WHS Management Plan current and site-specific?
WHS Plan readily available on site?
Hazard register maintained and current?
Incident notification procedures in place?
Worker consultation arrangements documented?
Emergency plan and procedures current?
First aid facilities adequate?

SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work

Verify Safe Work Method Statements for high-risk construction work (HRCW).

All HRCW identified on site?
SWMS prepared for all HRCW?
Workers consulted in SWMS development?
SWMS being followed on site?
SWMS reviewed after incidents/changes?
Workers signed on to relevant SWMS?
Confined space entry SWMS in place (if applicable)?
Demolition SWMS in place (if applicable)?

Plant Registration & Inspection

Verify plant registration and inspection requirements.

All registrable plant registered with regulator?
Plant design registration current?
Plant inspections current (log books)?
Operators hold required HRW licences?
Pre-start checks conducted daily?
Defective plant tagged out of service?

White Card Verification

Verify General Construction Induction (White Card) compliance.

White Card policy enforced?
White Card spot checks conducted?
All workers hold valid White Cards?
Site-specific induction completed by all?
Visitors inducted before site access?
Induction records maintained?

Height Safety

Inspect working at heights controls per AS/NZS standards.

Height work risk assessment completed?
Hierarchy of controls applied?
Scaffolding compliant with AS/NZS 4576?
Scaffolding erected by licensed scaffolders?
EWPs compliant and operators licenced?
Fall arrest systems inspected (6-monthly)?
Roof work controls in place?
Floor penetrations protected?

Electrical Safety

Verify electrical safety compliance.

Electrical work by licensed electricians only?
RCD protection on all portable equipment?
RCDs tested regularly (push-button daily)?
Extension leads tested and tagged?
Safe approach distances to powerlines maintained?
Underground services located before excavation?
Lockout/tagout procedures followed?