Risk Assessment Template
This template is to be used with reference to the OHS Risk Management Procedure. For support in conducting a Risk Assessment, contact the OHS Advisory Service on 1300
074 715 or email safety@[Link].
1. Background information
School/workplace: Date:
Title of assessment: Set-up and use of scaffolding (this task can only be performed by a competent Name of person
person who is licensed to undertake this work) conducting
assessment:
2. Risk assessment
Identify and list hazards List current risk controls Risk rating List additional controls (if any)
1. Fall from height Scaffolding is inspected during
2. Falls of materials construction and once complete by an
3. Manual handling individual with a scaffolding licence
4. Full or partial collapse/structural Maximum weight of scaffolding is
failure agreed upon prior to set-up of scaffold
5. Overloading of scaffold Scaffolding to be secured to prevent
6. Adverse weather conditions unauthorised access
7. Vehicles on site Scaffolding is inspected for defects or
damage prior to use
Scaffolding is inspected after repairs
have been made
Scaffolding is inspected every 30 days
Scaffolding to be erected and
dismantled by a contractor with a
scaffolding licence
Agree weight/strength specification of
scaffolding with scaffolding contractors
before engaging them to erect
scaffolding on site
Central Office Use Only Issue Date: October 2017 Last Reviewed: N/A Next Review: October 2019
No. DET ESWB 08-6-1 Authorised by: Manager ESWU
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Maintain awareness of total weight on
scaffold, including employees
Under no circumstances are
employees to alter scaffolding erected
by contractors
No employees to work at height in
adverse weather conditions
Weather protection to be taken into
account when selecting
Employees to use the correct manual
handling techniques at all times
Scaffold construction area to be
isolated and cleared of all persons
Trucks are to be escorted to the area
where the scaffolding is to be
constructed
Truck driver made aware, prior to
driving into construction area, where
materials are to be placed and where
the scaffold is to be erected
Use PPE such as appropriate gloves,
head protection and safety footwear
Employees have completed Work
Safely at Heights Training Course
(RIIWHS204D)
An emergency rescue plan has been
established
Manual handling training for all
employees (eLearning)
Use fall arrest equipment (harness)
attached at all times to the scaffold
when working
Central Office Use Only Issue Date: October 2017 Last Reviewed: N/A Next Review: October 2019
No. DET ESWB 04-3-1 Authorised by: Manager ESWU
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Page 2 of 3
1. Consequence - Evaluate the consequences of a risk occurring according 2. Likelihood - Evaluate the likelihood of an incident occurring according to
to the ratings in the top row the ratings in the left hand column
Descriptor Level Definition Descriptor Level Definition
Insignificant 1 No injury Rare 1 May occur somewhere, sometime (“once in a life
time / once in a hundred years”)
Minor 2 Injury/ ill health requiring first aid
Unlikely 2 May occur somewhere within DET over an
Moderate 3 Injury/ill health requiring medical extended period of time
attention
Possible 3 May occur several times across DET or a region
Major 4 Injury/ill health requiring hospital over a period of time
admission
Likely 4 May be anticipated multiple times over a period of
Severe 5 Fatality time
May occur once every few repetitions of the activity
or event
Almost 5 Prone to occur regularly
Certain It is anticipated for each repetition of the activity of
event
3. Risk level - Calculate the level of risk by finding the intersection between
the likelihood and the consequences Key
Descriptor Definition
Likelihood Consequence
Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Severe
Almost Medium High Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Certain Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
Likely Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme immediately. Cease associated activity.
Possible Low Medium Medium High Extreme High: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
Rare Low Low Low Medium Medium within 48 hours of notification.
Medium: Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, OHS Representative / OHS Committee
is to follow up that corrective action is taken within 7 days.
Low Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee is to follow up
that corrective action is taken within a reasonable time.
Central Office Use Only Issue Date: October 2017 Last Reviewed: N/A Next Review: October 2019
No. DET ESWB 04-3-1 Authorised by: Manager ESWU
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Page 3 of 3
