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
Download this template
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.