Take 5 safety checklist

A five-step pause before starting a task: stop, look, assess, control, then start safely.

How to use itEach worker spends a few minutes on the five steps before starting a task, especially a new or changed one, and stops work if a hazard cannot be controlled.

Who uses itEvery worker before starting a task
WhenBefore new, changed or unusual tasks
Time neededA few minutes
Keep itCollected by the supervisor for review

Who uses the Take 5 safety checklist and when

Take 5 is a quick personal risk check. It builds the habit of thinking before acting, which catches hazards that formal plans miss.

It supports, and does not replace, job safety analyses, permits and training.

9 items. Keep it on a tablet, or print a copy for the clipboard.

The five steps

Stop: pause before starting the task.
Look: walk around and identify hazards.
Assess: how likely and how serious is each hazard?
Control: put controls in place or ask for help.
Start: proceed only when it is safe.

Record

Name, date and task.
Hazards found.
Controls used.
Stopped work and reported, if needed.

Using the Take 5 safety checklist well

Keep pads in vehicles and site boxes.
Make it normal to stop work.
Review cards in toolbox talks.
Praise good catches.
Update procedures when cards show repeated hazards.

The Take 5 safety checklist in practice

Before cleaning a high shelf, a warehouse worker does a Take 5 and sees the step ladder is damaged and a forklift aisle is behind him. He gets another ladder and asks for the aisle to be coned off before starting.

What the take 5 safety checklist protects you from

OSHA does not require a Take 5 by name, but employers must find and control hazards. A Take 5 catches site conditions that change, such as wet ground or new traffic, which a plan written earlier would miss.

Filled-in sample

Name, date, task	Tyler, Nov 4, trim hedges by parking lot
Stop	Paused at truck before unloading
Hazards found	Cars backing out, wet slope, hedge near power drop
Likelihood and severity	Cars: likely, serious; power drop: unlikely, fatal
Controls	Cones at row end, cleats, trimmer kept 10 ft from line
Stopped and reported	Yes; called supervisor about the power drop
Start	9:20 am after controls set

Pinecrest Grounds Maintenance in Bend, Oregon, treats the power drop as a stop even though it is unlikely, because the result could be fatal. That is the judgment the card helps Tyler make.

Where this usually goes wrong

Filling in the card after the task. It only works if you stop before starting.
Writing ‘none’ for hazards every time. Look again; most tasks have at least one hazard.
Treating it as paperwork for the supervisor. Use it to talk with your partner about the task.

Edits most teams make to the take 5 safety checklist

Cleaning crewsFocus on chemicals, wet floors and lifting, and keep cards in each cleaning cart.

Field service techniciansAdd customer site hazards, such as pets, electrical panels and tight spaces.

From the fieldAsk the crew to share one good catch from their cards at each toolbox talk. It shows the habit pays off.

What people ask about the take 5 safety checklist

How long does it take?

A few minutes.

Is it required?

Many companies use it voluntarily.

Who keeps the cards?

The supervisor collects them.

What if I am not sure?

Stop and ask.

What is the difference between a Take 5 and a JSA?

A job safety analysis is written in advance for a task, breaking it into steps with hazards and controls. A Take 5 is a quick personal check right at the point of work, catching what changed since the JSA was written. Use both on higher-risk jobs.

Who can stop work after a Take 5?

Most companies give every worker authority to stop work if something is unsafe, without punishment. OSHA also protects employees who refuse work in limited cases of imminent danger. Report the stop to your supervisor right away.

Keep going

More for the same job

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Know who worked when

Use the Take 5 safety checklist for the record you need today. To see who clocked in, and when, book a demo of EZTime.

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Disclaimer: This template is general information to adapt to your own workplace. It is not legal, safety or compliance advice and does not replace inspections, training or requirements set by law, regulators, manufacturers or your insurer. Check the rules that apply to you with a qualified professional.