TAKE 5 FOR SAFETY

1. Stop, step back, observe

2. Think through the task
3. Identify any hazards
4. Control the hazards
5. Complete the task safely
The purpose of Take 5 is to ensure that all work activities are given a final
check to identify and control any potential hazards that may have not
already been addressed prior to commencing activities.

Take 5 is designed to complement the Risk Assessment process. It does not

act as a replacement for formal risk assessments.

The Take 5 process consists of the following 5 steps

Step 1 Stop, step back, observe Observe the work area and
surrounding location for hazards.

Step 2 Think through the task Consider the sequence of steps

involved in carrying out the task from
start to finish.

Step 3 Identify any hazards Identify the hazards associated with

the task including any present in the
immediate and surrounding work area,
and hazards generated by the task.

Step 4 Control the hazards If the hazard is not controlled and the
work area not safe do not start
work, report to your Team Leader/
Unit Controller/Line Manager to
review the risk assessment.

Step 5 Complete the task Once all control measures have been
safely implemented commence the task.

The hazard checklist can be used as a prompt to help you identify hazards
during Step 3 of the process.

This pocket book must be retained and can be inspected during workplace
audits and inspections. For tasks involving more than one person, only one
pocket book needs to be completed and the other work team members
should sign this book in the space provided.
What is Take 5?
Take 5 is a process that helps to identify hazards before an activity starts.
Specifically, it will help YOU to identify potential hazards that may be
encountered during the work.

How does Take 5 work?

It is aimed at helping you to think about the hazards associated with your work
and it involves 5 simple steps to allow you to complete your activities safely:
1. Stop, step back, observe
2. Think through the task
3. Identify any hazards
4. Control the hazards
5. Complete the task safely

When to carry out Take 5

Doing a Take 5 is not limited to the time before you begin your task. It
can also be done during your task to monitor the situation, and also
afterwards as an evaluation.

Before the task

u Stop and think
u Observe the work area and surroundings
u Think through the steps of what you will be doing
u Identify what else is happening in your work area
u Identify any hazards within your work area
u Speak to your Team Leader/Unit Controller/Line Manager if hazards are
not controlled
u Satisfy yourself that these hazards are controlled before starting the job

During the task

u Do you feel safe doing the task?
u Are others around you working safely?

After the task

u Observe the work area
u Reflect on the task performed
u Can any improvements be made?
Job Description................................................................................................................................................................
Site.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Date........................... Time.............................. Are they controlled?
Hazards Yes No

Take 5 Check
Buried services
Traffic management
Signing, lighting, guarding
Excavations and trenching
Noise/vibration
Fire
Hazardous substances (chemicals)
Manual handling
Lifting operations
Vehicles/mobile plant
Contact with moving parts (machinery)
Electricity
Power/hand tools
Stored energy (pressure)
Unsuitable access
Heat
Violence/aggression
Lighting levels
UV Light
Slips, trips & falls
Housekeeping/waste materials
Working at height
Falling objects
Confined spaces
Bio hazards
Work over/near water
Extreme outdoor weather
Lone working
Trailing hoses/cables
Spills, leaks, vapours
Particles, dust, fumes

If the hazards are not adequately controlled, inform your Team Leader/Unit Controller
Signature..............................................................................................................................................................................
Work Team Members. ................................................................................................................................................
Job Description................................................................................................................................................................
Site.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Date........................... Time.............................. Are they controlled?
Hazards Yes No

Take 5 Check
Buried services
Traffic management
Signing, lighting, guarding
Excavations and trenching
Noise/vibration
Fire
Hazardous substances (chemicals)
Manual handling
Lifting operations
Vehicles/mobile plant
Contact with moving parts (machinery)
Electricity
Power/hand tools
Stored energy (pressure)
Unsuitable access
Heat
Violence/aggression
Lighting levels
UV Light
Slips, trips & falls
Housekeeping/waste materials
Working at height
Falling objects
Confined spaces
Bio hazards
Work over/near water
Extreme outdoor weather
Lone working
Trailing hoses/cables
Spills, leaks, vapours
Particles, dust, fumes

If the hazards are not adequately controlled, inform your Team Leader/Unit Controller
Signature..............................................................................................................................................................................
Work Team Members. ................................................................................................................................................
Job Description................................................................................................................................................................
Site.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Date........................... Time.............................. Are they controlled?
Hazards Yes No

Take 5 Check
Buried services
Traffic management
Signing, lighting, guarding
Excavations and trenching
Noise/vibration
Fire
Hazardous substances (chemicals)
Manual handling
Lifting operations
Vehicles/mobile plant
Contact with moving parts (machinery)
Electricity
Power/hand tools
Stored energy (pressure)
Unsuitable access
Heat
Violence/aggression
Lighting levels
UV Light
Slips, trips & falls
Housekeeping/waste materials
Working at height
Falling objects
Confined spaces
Bio hazards
Work over/near water
Extreme outdoor weather
Lone working
Trailing hoses/cables
Spills, leaks, vapours
Particles, dust, fumes

If the hazards are not adequately controlled, inform your Team Leader/Unit Controller
Signature..............................................................................................................................................................................
Work Team Members. ................................................................................................................................................
Job Description................................................................................................................................................................
Site.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Date........................... Time.............................. Are they controlled?
Hazards Yes No

Take 5 Check
Buried services
Traffic management
Signing, lighting, guarding
Excavations and trenching
Noise/vibration
Fire
Hazardous substances (chemicals)
Manual handling
Lifting operations
Vehicles/mobile plant
Contact with moving parts (machinery)
Electricity
Power/hand tools
Stored energy (pressure)
Unsuitable access
Heat
Violence/aggression
Lighting levels
UV Light
Slips, trips & falls
Housekeeping/waste materials
Working at height
Falling objects
Confined spaces
Bio hazards
Work over/near water
Extreme outdoor weather
Lone working
Trailing hoses/cables
Spills, leaks, vapours
Particles, dust, fumes

If the hazards are not adequately controlled, inform your Team Leader/Unit Controller
Signature..............................................................................................................................................................................
Work Team Members. ................................................................................................................................................
 Our health and safety principles

All injuries are...

...preventable
...to be reported, along with near misses, so we all learn from them

No job is so important that you cant take the time to...

...do it safely
...change unsafe conditions and practices

Health and safety...

...is a condition of employment rules are there for a reason,
so do follow them
...goes home with everyone

Safety starts with you. Be safe

and healthy in all you do.

Vennsys Ltd
Contract Head Office, 200 Brook Drive,
Green Park, Reading RG2 6UB