Quick Checks · 12 checks · 5 critical

Weekly Site Walk
safety audit checklist

Quick weekly walkthrough covering the most critical items.

Every check below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or HSE guidance it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. Critical checks are marked: a fail on one of those stops the activity.

  1. 1.
    Site secure and hoarding intact
    What to look forWalk perimeter, no gaps, no climbing aids, gates closed, signage in place, no damage from vehicles or weather. Particular focus on areas adjacent to public footpath or schools.
    Acceptable whenCDM 2015 Reg 13. HSG151. Hoarding height ≥2.0m (2.4m on busy public routes). No gap >100mm at base.
    StandardCDM 2015 Reg 13. HSG151, Protecting the public.
    Common defectsWind-blown panels / Heras downGap appearing at base where ground subsidedMaterials stacked against fence, climbing aidGate left unsecured
  2. 2.
    Walkways clear and safe
    What to look forDesignated routes free of trip hazards, hoses, cables, materials. Surfaces firm. Min 1m wide. No standing water, mud, ice. Lighting adequate.
    Acceptable whenCDM 2015 Reg 17. Workplace (HSW) Regs 1992 Reg 12. HSG155.
    StandardCDM 2015 Reg 17. HSG155, Slips and trips.
    Common defectsTrailing leads across walkwayOff-cuts / pallets in routeMud / ice not treatedStep-up not marked
  3. 3.
    Housekeeping acceptable
    What to look forEach work area tidied. Waste in skips, segregated. No accumulation of packaging, food waste, off-cuts. Storage compounds neat.
    Acceptable whenCDM 2015 Reg 25. Workplace Regs Reg 9. HSG155.
    StandardCDM 2015 Reg 25. HSG155.
    Common defectsMixed waste in skip, segregation breachOff-cuts piled at workstationMaterials issued but not used / stockpiled in walkwaysNo clean-as-you-go culture
  4. 4.
    Welfare facilities clean and stocked
    What to look forToilets clean, paper stocked, hand-wash with soap and hot water. Drying room functional. Rest area heated, water available, microwaves and kettle PAT-tested. Daily clean signed off.
    Acceptable whenCDM 2015 Schedule 2, welfare provision maintained clean and orderly. Workplace (HSW) Regs 1992 Reg 20-25. L153.
    StandardCDM 2015 Schedule 2. L153.
    Common defectsNo soap / no toilet paperHeater off, rest area below 16°CBin overflowingDaily clean rota not signed
  5. 5.
    PPE compliance observed
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forWalk-through observation: 100% of operatives wearing hard hat, hi-vis, boots; task-specific PPE matched (gloves, eye, ear). No damaged kit. Visitors compliant.
    Acceptable whenPPE at Work Regs 1992 (amended 2022). HSWA 1974 s.7. Site rules at induction.
    StandardPPE at Work Regs 1992. INDG174.
    Common defectsHard hat off in designated zoneNo hearing protection while breakingDamaged / out-of-date PPE in useVisitor unprotected
  6. 6.
    Edge protection intact at all levels
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forTop rail (950mm-1.1m), intermediate, toe board at every open edge across all levels. Voids and stairs covered. No gaps, no removed sections from material lifts not reinstated.
    Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 6 + Schedule 2. BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018.
    StandardWork at Height Regs 2005. BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018.
    Common defectsSection removed for material lift, not reinstatedToe board missing, falling material riskGap >470mm between railsStair void uncovered
  7. 7.
    Scaffold tags current
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forWalk every scaffold access, green Scafftag at each access point, inspection date within 7 days. Red tag = do not use, physically barriered. After alteration, re-inspected before use.
    Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 12 + Schedule 3. NASC SG4:22.
    StandardWork at Height Regs 2005. NASC SG4:22, TG20:21.
    Common defectsTag over 7 days oldNo tag at allModified by another trade, not re-inspectedRed tag but operatives still using
  8. 8.
    Excavations properly protected
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forAll excavations >2m supported or battered, edge protection in place, daily inspection signed off, no spoil within 1m of edge. Lit at night with beacons.
    Acceptable whenCDM 2015 Reg 22 + 24. HSG185.
    StandardCDM 2015 Reg 22. HSG185.
    Common defectsHeras blown over, no edge protectionNo daily inspection recordSpoil at edge surchargingNo night lighting
  9. 9.
    No damaged electrical equipment
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forSpot check tools, leads, distribution. PAT in date. Cables undamaged. RCD test buttons recently pressed (logged).
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. HSG141.
    Common defectsDamaged outer sheath on leadPAT label expiredRCD bypassedTape join in cable
  10. 10.
    Fire points accessible and equipped
    What to look forEvery fire point reachable, not blocked, signage clear, extinguisher in date, call point operational. Travel distance <45m.
    Acceptable whenRR(FS)O 2005. BS 5306-3:2017. HSG168. FPA Joint Code.
    StandardRR(FS)O 2005. HSG168.
    Common defectsMaterials stacked over extinguisherPressure indicator in redAnnual service expiredFire point removed and not reinstated after phase change
  11. 11.
    Escape routes clear
    What to look forWalk every escape route end-to-end. No obstructions, signs visible at every junction, doors operate freely (no padlocks), final exit unobstructed.
    Acceptable whenRR(FS)O 2005. Building Regs Approved Document B. BS 5499-4:2013.
    StandardRR(FS)O 2005. BS 5499-4:2013.
    Common defectsPadlocked fire doorMaterials in escape corridorSign missing at junctionFinal exit blocked by skip
  12. 12.
    First aid kit stocked
    What to look forOpen the kit. Check against BS 8599 contents list. No expired items. Defibrillator (where provided) self-test green. Eye wash sealed and in date.
    Acceptable whenHealth and Safety (First-Aid) Regs 1981. BS 8599-1:2019.
    StandardHealth and Safety (First-Aid) Regs 1981. BS 8599-1:2019.
    Common defectsPlasters / dressings used upSaline expiredNo eye wash where requiredMonthly check log not signed

Questions people ask

How often should a weekly site walk audit be done?

These are the short ones: daily or at the start of every shift, before the work begins. Two minutes and a signature.

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

An inspection looks at the site. An audit checks the system as well: is the paperwork there, do the people know it, is what was promised actually happening. On a small site the words blur, and that is fine. The checks below cover both.

What happens with a failed item?

A corrective action with an owner and a date, and a photo of the fail so nobody argues later. 5 of the 12 checks here are marked critical: a fail on one of those stops that activity until it is put right.

Who should carry out the audit?

A competent person, and where possible not the person whose work is being looked at. The site manager auditing the site manager's housekeeping is better than nothing, but a visiting supervisor or the SHEQ lead sees what the regular eye has stopped noticing.

Is a site safety audit a legal requirement?

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require arrangements for monitoring your health and safety measures (regulation 5), and CDM 2015 requires every contractor to plan, manage and monitor the work under their control (regulation 15). A recorded, scored audit is how you show that is happening. Guidance, not legal advice.

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