2026 guide to identifying hazards, controlling risk and training your workforce
Workplace hazards are things and situations that could harm a person at work. In 2026 the challenge is rarely a lack of information. The challenge is consistency across sites and teams, plus controls that hold up on busy days.
This guide explains the most common workplace hazards, how to identify them early, how to apply practical controls and how to train staff and contractors so safe work becomes routine. It also explains how INDUCT FOR WORK helps you deliver online training, confirm understanding with quizzes and keep completion records ready for audits and client checks.
Key takeaways
Hazard management works best when you identify hazards, assess risk, control risk, then review controls regularly
Eliminating risk is the best control. If you cannot eliminate, use the hierarchy of controls and avoid relying only on procedures and PPE
Electrical risks and plant risks are common across Australian workplaces and are specifically covered in national guidance
Online induction and training is most effective when it is short, role based and measured with simple checks for understanding
INDUCT FOR WORK helps standardise training across roles and sites, reduces chasing with reminders and keeps proof ready records
Contents
What workplace hazards are in 2026
How to identify hazards before incidents happen
Hazard controls that actually work in day to day operations
Workplace hazards checklist by hazard type
Training, reporting and records that reduce repeat incidents
FAQ
1) What workplace hazards are in 2026
Workplace hazards appear in predictable groups. Your site might have additional hazards, but these categories cover most businesses:
Electrical hazards
Plant and machinery hazards
Vehicles and mobile plant hazards
Slips, trips and falls
Working at height
Manual tasks
Chemicals and hazardous substances
Noise and hearing risk
Heat, cold and weather exposure
Confined spaces and restricted access areas
Fatigue and reduced alertness
A good program focuses on the highest risk tasks first, then expands. That approach is faster to roll out and easier to sustain.
2) How to identify hazards before incidents happen
Hazard identification works best when it is routine, simple and supported by supervisors.
Use a mix of methods:
Pre start checks in work areas and on equipment
Task checks before non routine work such as repairs, fault clearing or changes to setup
Worker and contractor reporting, because they see hazards first
Review of incident and near miss patterns to spot repeat issues
Checks after change such as new equipment, new layout or new procedures
Safe Work Australia outlines a step by step approach: identify hazards, assess risks, control risks, then review control measures.
A practical way to turn this into habit is to use four simple questions:
What can hurt someone here
How could it happen
Who is exposed and when
What controls could fail under pressure
If you want reporting to work, make it easy and respond quickly. When people see action taken, they keep reporting. When nothing happens, reporting stops.
3) Hazard controls that actually work in day to day operations
Controls fail when they rely on perfect behaviour. That is why the hierarchy of controls matters.
Safe Work Australia states eliminating the risk is the best control. If you cannot eliminate, you must minimise risk so far as is reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of control measures. It also notes administrative controls and PPE are least effective because they do not control the hazard at the source and rely on behaviour and supervision.
A practical control approach looks like this:
Remove the hazard where possible
Replace it with a lower risk option
Isolate people from the hazard using barriers, guarding, separation or exclusion zones
Use engineered controls that reduce exposure and prevent contact
Use procedures, permits, supervision and signage to support higher controls
Use PPE as the last line of defence, not the main control
Training should explain what the control is, why it exists and what happens when it is bypassed. That makes compliance more likely, even on busy days.
4) Workplace hazards checklist by hazard type
Electrical hazards
Electrical hazards can lead to shock, burns, fire and fatal incidents. National guidance explains that electrical work is dangerous and that businesses must keep workers safe from electrical risks.
Practical controls that match Australian guidance:
Ensure electrical equipment is safe to use. If it is unsafe it must not be used and should be disconnected until repaired or tested safe by a competent person
Use only licensed or registered electricians for electrical work
Inspect leads for damage before use and remove damaged leads
If an RCD, circuit breaker or other device disconnects power, work out why it tripped before switching back on
Arrange leads to avoid damage by keeping them away from doorways, sharp edges and walkways and using hangers or protection where needed
Training points to include:
What “unsafe equipment” looks like on your site
Who can isolate and who can repair
What to do after a trip event
How to report electrical hazards quickly
Plant and machinery hazards
Safe Work Australia defines plant broadly as machinery, equipment, appliances, tools and anything fitted or connected to them. It notes plant is a major cause of death and injury in workplaces.
Common plant hazards include entanglement, crushing, shearing, cutting and ejected parts. Many incidents occur during cleaning, fault clearing, adjustment or maintenance.
Controls that work:
Guarding that prevents contact with moving parts or controls access to dangerous areas
Interlocks where access is required during operation, cleaning or maintenance
Guarding that is solid, securely mounted, hard to bypass and properly maintained
Clear isolation steps for maintenance tasks
Pre start checks that include guarding condition and interlock function
Training points to include:
Never bypass guarding
Never reach into moving parts
Stop, isolate, verify, then work
Report missing or damaged guarding immediately
Vehicles and mobile plant hazards
Mobile plant such as forklifts, cranes and elevating work platforms can cause serious injury and death. Common risks include collisions, overturning, objects falling on operators and operators being ejected.
Controls that work:
Separate pedestrians and vehicles with walkways, barriers and clear exclusion zones
Set site traffic rules and keep them consistent
Use spotters where needed and define responsibilities clearly
Control reversing with designated zones and clear visibility rules
Use immobilisation practices for parked or serviced equipment
Training points to include:
Speed limits and right of way rules
Blind spots and reversing rules
Loading zone rules
What to do when rules conflict with time pressure
Slips, trips and falls
These injuries remain common across offices, warehouses, venues and worksites.
Controls that work:
Keep floors clean and dry and clean spills quickly
Use slip resistant surfaces in wet areas
Manage cords and hoses to remove trip points
Maintain steps, handrails and lighting
Keep walkways clear of stored items
Training points to include:
What must never be stored in access ways
How to report damaged flooring or poor lighting
Footwear expectations for each area
Working at height
Falls can cause severe injury even from relatively low heights. Controls should focus on avoiding height work where possible, then using higher reliability controls.
Controls that work:
Avoid height work by doing the task from ground level where possible
Use platforms with guardrails for routine work
Use suitable access equipment and keep ladders for short duration tasks where appropriate
Use fall protection systems where required by your site method
Training points to include:
When ladders are acceptable on your site and when they are not
How to inspect access equipment before use
How to plan the task so people are not rushed
Manual tasks
Manual tasks can cause strains and injuries through lifting, pushing, pulling, repetition and awkward posture.
Controls that work:
Use mechanical aids where possible
Reduce load weight and improve storage height and access
Adjust work layout to reduce reaching and twisting
Rotate tasks where practical
Fix the task design rather than relying only on lifting technique training
Training points to include:
When to ask for help
How to use aids correctly
How to report a task that is hurting people
Chemicals and hazardous substances
Chemical hazards include fumes, burns, skin exposure and unsafe storage risks.
Controls that work:
Keep labels intact and store chemicals correctly
Provide ventilation where required
Use the correct gloves and eye protection for the substance
Keep spill kits ready and train people to use them
Keep Safety Data Sheets accessible
Training points to include:
How to find the Safety Data Sheet
What to do after a spill
Correct storage and decanting rules used on your site
Noise and hearing risk
Noise hazards are common in workshops, construction, manufacturing and warehousing. Hearing loss is permanent.
Controls that work:
Reduce noise at the source where possible
Maintain equipment to avoid unnecessary noise
Use barriers and distance to reduce exposure
Set hearing protection zones and enforce them
Provide suitable hearing protection and train correct fit
Training points to include:
Where hearing protection is required
How to fit and maintain hearing protection
How to report noisy equipment that needs maintenance
Heat, cold and weather exposure
Weather exposure affects outdoor crews, warehouses and hot work areas. Heat risk rises for new starters and those returning after time away.
Controls that work:
Provide water, shade and rest breaks
Schedule heavy work for cooler times where possible
Provide suitable gear for cold and wet conditions
Monitor people who are not acclimatised
Teach supervisors early warning signs and response steps
Training points to include:
Hydration and break expectations
When to stop work and escalate
Symptoms that require urgent action
Confined spaces and restricted access areas
Confined space hazards can include lack of oxygen, toxic atmosphere, engulfment and restricted exit.
Controls that work:
Permit process where required by your procedure
Atmospheric testing where required
Ventilation and standby support where needed
Practical rescue planning
Restrict access to authorised personnel
Training points to include:
What your site classifies as a confined space
Who can authorise entry
What steps must be completed before entry
Fatigue and reduced alertness
Fatigue increases risk in driving, machinery operation and decision making. It can build during overtime, long shifts, early starts and night work.
Controls that work:
Plan rosters to avoid extreme hours where possible
Manage breaks and recovery time
Encourage early reporting before fatigue becomes dangerous
Train supervisors to recognise warning signs
Add check in steps for high risk tasks
Training points to include:
Warning signs of fatigue
How to speak up early
Which tasks must stop when alertness is low
5) Training, reporting and records that reduce repeat incidents
Training works when it is short, role based and supported by simple checks for understanding. It must also cover non routine tasks such as fault clearing and maintenance because that is where many incidents happen.
A practical training approach:
Core hazard training for everyone
Role modules for higher risk tasks
Short quizzes to confirm understanding
Refreshers when procedures change and on a set cycle
Clear records showing who completed what and when
INDUCT FOR WORK supports this workflow by helping you deliver online training, assign modules by role and site, invite staff and contractors quickly, use quizzes to confirm understanding and keep completion records ready for audits and client checks.
Frequently asked questions
Workplace hazards are things and situations that could harm a person. They include electrical risks, plant hazards, vehicles, falls, chemicals, noise and weather exposure.
Start by eliminating the risk where possible. If you cannot eliminate, use the hierarchy of controls and focus on higher reliability controls before relying on procedures and PPE.
Not always. Safe Work Australia notes you may not need a risk assessment if hazards, risks and controls are well known. You still need to control risk and review controls.
Make reporting simple, respond quickly and close the loop so people see outcomes. Use Induct For Work Incident and Hazard Reporting.
It helps you deliver hazard training online, assign training by role and site, confirm understanding with quizzes and keep proof ready records without paperwork.
If you want workplace hazard training that is consistent across sites and teams, use INDUCT FOR WORK to build your hazard modules, invite your workforce, track completion and keep tidy records.
