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What This Checklist Is
This checklist is a practical self-review tool that helps businesses reflect on how welding process risks are identified and managed in the workplace. It is commonly used during internal reviews, planning activities, or improvement discussions where welding, cutting, or related hot work is performed. The checklist is intended for owners, managers, and supervisors who want a clear way to sense-check everyday welding safety practices.
It is a practical review tool, not a compliance test and not legal advice.
How This Checklist Relates to the Code of Practice
A WHS Code of Practice describes accepted ways of managing Work Health and Safety risks in Australia. This checklist reflects the key themes of the Code by focusing on hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control for welding processes in real work situations. Answering “Yes” and “No” helps highlight where current practices reduce risk and where gaps or weaknesses may exist.
The checklist supports understanding of good practice without claiming legal alignment.
Why Use a Code of Practice Checklist?
Welding hazards are often familiar, which can lead to risks being underestimated over time. A checklist like this helps clarify what “good practice” looks like during everyday welding work, not just during setup or audits. It supports early identification of weak or missing controls and helps businesses set clearer priorities for WHS improvement.
It also supports more informed discussions with workers, advisors, or inspectors about workplace safety.
Key Features
Simple Yes / No checklist format
Written in plain English
Designed for Australian WHS Codes of Practice
Suitable for small and medium businesses
How to Use This Checklist
Work through the questions honestly, based on how welding is actually carried out rather than how it is intended to be done. The checklist is most useful when answers reflect real equipment use, work areas, and task conditions.
Treat “No” answers as areas needing further attention. Use the results to prioritise practical actions and revisit the checklist when welding methods, materials, or risks change.
What Inspectors Commonly Expect to See
Inspectors generally focus on how welding risks are identified and managed in practice, not just on written procedures. They look for evidence that hazards such as fumes, heat, sparks, and electrical risks are recognised, assessed, and controlled during day-to-day work. Tools like this checklist support informed decision-making by showing that welding risks are actively reviewed.
Action and understanding usually matter more than paperwork alone. Inspectors often want to see that issues identified lead to practical changes.
Notes or action lists from checklist reviews
Changes made to risk controls or work practices
Records showing issues were identified and addressed
FAQs
What welding activities does this checklist apply to?
It applies to common welding and related processes such as arc welding, gas welding, cutting, and other hot work. The focus is on how risks are managed during normal work.
Is this checklist only for full-time welders?
No. It is suitable wherever welding is carried out, including maintenance tasks or occasional repair work.
Does completing the checklist make welding safe?
No. The checklist helps identify strengths and gaps but does not control risks on its own. It supports review and improvement.
When should welding risks be reviewed?
Reviews are useful when equipment, materials, or work locations change, or after incidents. Many businesses also review periodically.
Articles and Further Reading
Regulation s49–s50 – Airborne Contaminants – Establishes duties to manage exposure to fumes, gases, and airborne contaminants generated during work processes such as welding.
Regulation s147–s166 – Electrical Safety – Sets requirements for managing electrical risks associated with equipment, installations, and powered work processes.
About the Author
About the Author
Nathan Owen
Nathan has worked in construction for 15 years, primarily in health and safety and site management. He has frontline experience including operating plant and machinery and post-graduate qualifications in health and safety.