What does the WHS Act require for workplace inspections?

The WHS Act 2011 does not prescribe a specific inspection frequency, but Section 19 requires a PCBU to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace. The WHS Regulations require the PCBU to identify hazards, assess risks and implement and maintain controls on an ongoing basis. Regular workplace inspections are the primary mechanism for meeting these obligations. Officers have a duty under Section 27 to exercise due diligence, which includes ensuring the PCBU has processes for identifying hazards and monitoring the effectiveness of controls.

How often should WHS workplace inspections be conducted?

The frequency depends on the risk level of the workplace. Construction sites and high-risk industrial workplaces should be inspected weekly. Commercial offices and lower-risk workplaces should be inspected monthly. Additional inspections are required after incidents, near misses, changes to work processes, introduction of new plant or chemicals, or when a worker raises a health and safety concern. Follow-up inspections to verify corrective action completion should be scheduled within one to two weeks of the original inspection for high-priority items.

Who should conduct WHS workplace inspections?

Workplace inspections should be conducted by a competent person, typically a safety officer, site supervisor, team leader or manager who has been trained in hazard identification and the use of the inspection checklist. Involving health and safety representatives or elected worker representatives is good practice and supports the consultation requirements of the WHS Act. On construction sites, the principal contractor or their safety adviser typically conducts the inspection. Workers should be encouraged to report hazards at any time, not only during formal inspections.

What is the difference between a workplace inspection and a safety audit?

A workplace inspection is a physical walkthrough of the work area to identify hazards, verify controls and check compliance with safety requirements. It is practical, visual and typically conducted by site-level personnel on a regular schedule. A safety audit is a more comprehensive, systematic review of the entire WHS management system, policies, procedures, records and compliance against a standard or regulatory framework. Audits are typically conducted less frequently, often annually or bi-annually, and may involve external auditors. Both are essential components of a WHS management system.

Is this WHS workplace inspection checklist free to download?

Yes. Download and use this WHS workplace inspection checklist at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital inspection forms with scheduled reminders, photo evidence capture, corrective action tracking and compliance dashboards across multiple sites, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

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Free WHS workplace inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers WHS Act Section 19, hazard identification, housekeeping and corrective actions. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a whs workplace inspection checklist?

A WHS workplace inspection checklist is a structured document used to systematically inspect a workplace for health and safety hazards, verify that existing controls are in place and functioning, and identify non-conformances that require corrective action. The checklist covers key inspection categories including housekeeping and work environment, electrical safety, fire safety and emergency equipment, first aid provisions, hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods, manual handling, plant and equipment condition, personal protective equipment, signage and barriers, traffic management, and welfare facilities. Each item is marked as satisfactory, unsatisfactory or not applicable, with space for defect descriptions and corrective actions.

Under the WHS Act 2011, a PCBU has a primary duty of care under Section 19 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace. Regular workplace inspections are a fundamental part of the PCBU risk management obligations under the WHS Regulations, which require the PCBU to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls on an ongoing basis. Officers of the PCBU have a separate duty under Section 27 to exercise due diligence, which includes taking reasonable steps to ensure the PCBU has appropriate processes for receiving and considering information about incidents, hazards and risks. A documented workplace inspection program using a standardised checklist provides the systematic process that satisfies these duties and creates an auditable record of hazard identification and corrective action.

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Benefits of using this whs workplace inspection checklist

Primary duty compliance: demonstrate that the PCBU is actively identifying and managing workplace hazards as required by the WHS Act Section 19.
Officer due diligence: provide officers with documented evidence that appropriate processes are in place for identifying hazards and managing risks, satisfying the Section 27 duty.
Hazard identification: systematically identify workplace hazards that may not be reported through other channels, such as gradual deterioration, housekeeping decline or control failures.
Corrective action tracking: record each deficiency with a responsible person, target date and close-out verification, ensuring issues are resolved rather than just noted.
Worker engagement: involve health and safety representatives and workers in the inspection process, supporting the consultation requirements of the WHS Act.
Trend analysis: regular inspections using a consistent checklist enable the PCBU to identify recurring issues, common hazard types and areas that require systemic improvement.

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What to include in a whs workplace inspection checklist

This whs workplace inspection checklist covers 11 key areas:

Inspection details: workplace name, area or zone inspected, inspector name and role, date, time, inspection type (routine, follow-up, post-incident), weather conditions if outdoors.
Housekeeping and work environment: general cleanliness, walkway and aisle clearance, floor condition (wet, damaged, uneven), lighting adequacy, ventilation, temperature, noise levels, dust and fume control.
Electrical safety: switchboard condition and access, power point and cord condition, RCD testing currency, portable electrical equipment testing and tagging, no overloaded circuits or daisy-chained extension leads.
Fire safety and emergency equipment: fire extinguisher condition and service tags, emergency exit signage and lighting, escape route clearance, fire door condition and self-closing function, alarm system testing records, assembly point signage.
First aid: first aid kit contents and expiry dates, first aid room condition, first aider names and currency of qualifications displayed, eye wash station condition and solution expiry, defibrillator (AED) condition and pad expiry.
Hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) current and accessible, chemical register up to date, storage in accordance with SDS and AS 3780, bunding and spill containment, signage, PPE for chemical handling.
Plant and equipment: pre-start inspection records current, guarding in place and functional, emergency stop devices operational, maintenance tags and service records, registration and certification current for major plant.
PPE and signage: mandatory PPE signage displayed, workers wearing required PPE, PPE condition and fit, hazard signage current and visible, barricading and exclusion zones in place.
Traffic management: pedestrian and vehicle separation, speed limit signs, reversing procedures and spotters, loading area controls, parking arrangements, traffic management plan compliance.
Welfare facilities: toilets clean and stocked, hand washing facilities operational, drinking water available, break room condition, sun protection (shade structures, sunscreen) for outdoor workers.
Overall result: summary of satisfactory and unsatisfactory items, total deficiencies, corrective action register with responsible persons and due dates, inspector signature.

How to use this whs workplace inspection checklist

Plan the inspection by confirming the scope, area or zone, inspection type, participants and the checklist version to be used.: Determine whether this is a routine scheduled inspection, a follow-up on previously identified deficiencies or a post-incident inspection. Identify the specific area or zone to be inspected. Include a health and safety representative or worker representative where practicable to support the consultation requirements of the WHS Act. Confirm you are using the current version of the workplace inspection checklist.
Record the inspection details at the top of the checklist, including workplace name, area, inspector name, date, time and inspection type.: Complete all header fields before starting the walkthrough. If the inspection is outdoors, record weather conditions as they may affect hazard identification (for example, wet surfaces, wind affecting dust or fumes, sun exposure). Note any areas that could not be inspected and the reason, such as restricted access or active work preventing entry.
Conduct a systematic walkthrough of the inspection area, assessing each checklist category and marking each item as satisfactory, unsatisfactory or not applicable.: Work through the checklist in a logical order, either following the physical layout of the area or the checklist sequence. For each item, visually inspect the condition, test where appropriate (for example, test emergency lighting switches, check RCD test buttons, verify fire extinguisher service tags), and speak with workers about any concerns they have observed. Mark each item and add descriptive notes for any unsatisfactory findings.
For each unsatisfactory item, record a clear description of the deficiency, the corrective action required, the responsible person and the target completion date.: Describe each deficiency in sufficient detail that the responsible person can understand what needs to be fixed without re-inspecting. Where possible, take a photograph of the deficiency and attach it to the inspection record. Assign corrective actions to a named person with a realistic target date. For immediate hazards, such as exposed live wiring, missing machine guarding or blocked fire exits, implement interim controls immediately and escalate to the site manager.
Summarise the inspection results, sign the completed checklist, issue it to the site manager or PCBU representative and schedule follow-up for outstanding corrective actions.: Tally the number of satisfactory and unsatisfactory items and note the total deficiencies requiring corrective action. Sign and date the checklist. Issue the completed inspection to the site manager, safety manager or PCBU representative for review and action. Schedule a follow-up inspection or desk review to verify that all corrective actions have been completed by their target dates. File the completed checklist in the WHS inspection register.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

Workplace inspections should be conducted at regular intervals proportionate to the risk level of the workplace. For construction sites and high-risk industrial workplaces, weekly inspections are standard practice. For commercial offices and lower-risk workplaces, monthly inspections are typical. The WHS Regulations require the PCBU to manage risks on an ongoing basis, and regular inspections are the primary mechanism for identifying new hazards and verifying that existing controls remain effective. Additional inspections should be conducted after any workplace incident, near miss, change in work processes, introduction of new plant or chemicals, or when a worker raises a health and safety concern. Follow-up inspections to verify corrective action completion should be scheduled within one to two weeks of the original inspection for high-priority items.

Frequently asked questions

What does the WHS Act require for workplace inspections?: The WHS Act 2011 does not prescribe a specific inspection frequency, but Section 19 requires a PCBU to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace. The WHS Regulations require the PCBU to identify hazards, assess risks and implement and maintain controls on an ongoing basis. Regular workplace inspections are the primary mechanism for meeting these obligations. Officers have a duty under Section 27 to exercise due diligence, which includes ensuring the PCBU has processes for identifying hazards and monitoring the effectiveness of controls.
How often should WHS workplace inspections be conducted?: The frequency depends on the risk level of the workplace. Construction sites and high-risk industrial workplaces should be inspected weekly. Commercial offices and lower-risk workplaces should be inspected monthly. Additional inspections are required after incidents, near misses, changes to work processes, introduction of new plant or chemicals, or when a worker raises a health and safety concern. Follow-up inspections to verify corrective action completion should be scheduled within one to two weeks of the original inspection for high-priority items.
Who should conduct WHS workplace inspections?: Workplace inspections should be conducted by a competent person, typically a safety officer, site supervisor, team leader or manager who has been trained in hazard identification and the use of the inspection checklist. Involving health and safety representatives or elected worker representatives is good practice and supports the consultation requirements of the WHS Act. On construction sites, the principal contractor or their safety adviser typically conducts the inspection. Workers should be encouraged to report hazards at any time, not only during formal inspections.
What is the difference between a workplace inspection and a safety audit?: A workplace inspection is a physical walkthrough of the work area to identify hazards, verify controls and check compliance with safety requirements. It is practical, visual and typically conducted by site-level personnel on a regular schedule. A safety audit is a more comprehensive, systematic review of the entire WHS management system, policies, procedures, records and compliance against a standard or regulatory framework. Audits are typically conducted less frequently, often annually or bi-annually, and may involve external auditors. Both are essential components of a WHS management system.
Is this WHS workplace inspection checklist free to download?: Yes. Download and use this WHS workplace inspection checklist at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital inspection forms with scheduled reminders, photo evidence capture, corrective action tracking and compliance dashboards across multiple sites, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

WHS Act 2011 Section 19 (Primary duty of care)
WHS Act 2011 Section 27 (Duty of officers)
WHS Act 2011 Section 28 (Duties of workers)
WHS Regulations 2011 (Managing risks to health and safety)
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks

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