🦺 Job Site Safety Checklist
Comprehensive safety checklist for daily and weekly job site inspections. Regular safety checks prevent accidents and citations.
When to Use This Checklist
- Daily - Quick safety walkthrough by superintendent
- Weekly - Comprehensive safety inspection
- After incidents - Post-accident safety review
- Before inspections - Pre-OSHA inspection prep
- New projects - Initial site safety setup
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Hard Hats
- Hard hats worn - All personnel wearing hard hats
- Hard hats in good condition - No cracks, dents, or damage
- Suspension system intact - Straps and suspension working
- Properly fitted - Snug fit, not loose
- ANSI approved - Type I or Type II as needed
Eye Protection
- Safety glasses worn - Where required
- Face shields - For grinding, cutting operations
- Goggles - For chemical handling
- Proper fit - No gaps, comfortable
Hearing Protection
- Earplugs/muffs available - In high-noise areas
- Worn properly - When noise exceeds 85 dBA
- Signage posted - "Hearing protection required" signs
Respiratory Protection
- Respirators available - If required for work
- Proper fit - Fit testing completed
- Filters/cartridges - Correct type for hazard
- Clean storage - Stored properly when not in use
Hand Protection
- Gloves worn - Appropriate for task
- Cut-resistant - For sharp materials
- Chemical-resistant - For chemicals
- In good condition - No holes or tears
Foot Protection
- Steel-toe boots - Where required
- Slip-resistant - For wet or slippery surfaces
- In good condition - No holes, soles intact
High-Visibility Vests
- Vests worn - In traffic areas, around equipment
- ANSI Class 2 or 3 - Appropriate for conditions
- Clean and visible - Not faded or dirty
Fall Protection
Guardrails
- Guardrails installed - At 6+ feet elevation
- Top rail - 42" height (39-45" acceptable)
- Midrail - Approximately 21" height
- Toeboards - 3-1/2" minimum (if overhead work)
- Secure - Properly attached, won't fail
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
- Harnesses worn - Where required
- Anchorage points - Properly rated (5,000 lbs)
- Lanyards - Appropriate length, no damage
- Connectors - Self-closing, self-locking
- Inspection - No damage, properly maintained
Ladders
- Proper angle - 4:1 ratio (1 foot out per 4 feet up)
- Secured - Top and bottom secured
- 3-foot extension - Extends 3 feet above landing
- In good condition - No damage, rungs secure
- Proper use - Face ladder, 3-point contact
Scaffolding
- Base plates/mud sills - Installed and level
- Guardrails - Top rail, midrail, toeboards
- Access - Ladder or stairs provided
- Bracing - Proper bracing installed
- Inspection tag - Competent person inspection current
Electrical Safety
Temporary Power
- GFCI protection - All temporary circuits protected
- Cords in good condition - No cuts, exposed wires
- Cords off ground - Not in water or mud
- Proper routing - Not through doorways, under doors
- Adequate capacity - Not overloaded
Lockout/Tagout
- Procedures followed - LOTO used when required
- Locks/tags available - Proper equipment on site
- Training current - Workers trained on LOTO
- Documentation - LOTO procedures documented
Electrical Panels
- Accessible - 36" clearance maintained
- Covered - Panels closed, covers secure
- Labeled - Circuits labeled
- Dry location - No water exposure
Equipment Safety
Heavy Equipment
- Operators trained - Certified operators only
- Backup alarms - Working backup alarms
- Mirrors - Mirrors clean and adjusted
- Lights - All lights working
- Inspection - Daily inspection completed
Hand Tools
- In good condition - No damage, proper maintenance
- Proper use - Used for intended purpose
- Stored properly - Not left on ground, in walkways
- Guards in place - Guards on power tools
Power Tools
- Guards installed - All guards in place
- Ground fault protection - GFCI or double-insulated
- Cords inspected - No damage to cords
- Proper use - Used per manufacturer instructions
Material Handling
Storage
- Materials stored safely - Not creating hazards
- Stacked properly - Won't fall or collapse
- Away from edges - Not near fall hazards
- Secured - Materials secured from wind, movement
Lifting
- Proper lifting - Workers using proper technique
- Mechanical aids - Cranes, hoists used when needed
- Load limits - Not exceeding equipment capacity
- Rigging inspected - Slings, chains in good condition
Housekeeping
Walkways
- Clear - Walkways free of debris, materials
- Marked - Clearly marked pedestrian routes
- Lighted - Adequate lighting
- Level - No tripping hazards
Debris Removal
- Regular cleanup - Debris removed regularly
- Dumpsters - Adequate waste containers
- Not accumulating - No excessive debris buildup
- Recycling - Recyclables separated if required
Material Organization
- Organized - Materials organized by area/trade
- Labeled - Materials labeled if needed
- Accessible - Easy access without creating hazards
Fire Safety
Fire Extinguishers
- Available - Extinguishers accessible
- Properly mounted - Mounted at proper height
- Inspected - Monthly inspection tags current
- Right type - Appropriate for fire hazards
- Training - Workers know location and use
Hot Work
- Permits - Hot work permits obtained
- Fire watch - Fire watch posted if required
- Area cleared - Combustibles removed
- Extinguisher nearby - Extinguisher at work area
Flammable Materials
- Stored properly - In approved containers
- Away from ignition - Away from heat sources
- Ventilated - Storage area ventilated
- Labeled - Properly labeled
Site Access & Security
Access Control
- Fencing - Perimeter fencing installed
- Gates - Controlled access points
- Signage - "Authorized personnel only" signs
- Badges - Worker identification if required
Traffic Control
- Flaggers - When required
- Signage - Traffic control signs posted
- Barricades - Work areas barricaded
- High-visibility - Workers in high-vis vests
Emergency Preparedness
First Aid
- First aid kit - Available and stocked
- Location known - Workers know location
- Trained personnel - First aid trained workers on site
- Emergency numbers - Posted prominently
Emergency Procedures
- Evacuation plan - Evacuation routes posted
- Assembly point - Designated assembly area
- Communication - Emergency communication plan
- Drills - Emergency drills conducted
Documentation
Safety Records
- Toolbox talks - Conducted and documented
- Safety meetings - Regular safety meetings held
- Incident reports - Incidents documented
- Inspection logs - Equipment inspections logged
Posting Requirements
- OSHA poster - Job Safety and Health poster posted
- Emergency contacts - Emergency numbers posted
- Safety rules - Site safety rules posted
- Hazard warnings - Hazard warnings posted
Related Resources
- OSHA Inspection Checklist - Prepare for OSHA inspections
- Safety Compliance Guide - Comprehensive safety programs
- Incident Report Generator - Document incidents
Safety First
A safe job site is a productive job site. Regular safety inspections prevent accidents and keep projects on schedule.