Free WHS Inspection (Marina) Template

Purpose of the Free WHS Inspection (Marina) Template

Marinas present a unique and dynamic risk profile, combining public access, heavy machinery, hazardous substances, and constant exposure to the elements. Our Free WHS Inspection (Marina) Template provides a structured starting point for systematically identifying and managing hazards specific to these environments.

Regular inspections are a fundamental part of a proactive safety culture and a key way for a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to meet their primary duty of care under WHS legislation. Using this template helps to formalise your safety checks, document findings, and track corrective actions before incidents occur.

A consistent inspection schedule helps ensure that slip, trip, and fall hazards, electrical risks from shore power, fire safety equipment, and the structural integrity of walkways and pontoons are all regularly assessed. Integrating these checks into your routine is a practical step towards building robust WHS management systems that protect workers, contractors, and the public.

How to use the Free WHS Inspection (Marina) Template

This Free WHS Inspection (Marina) Template is available for immediate download in both DOCX and PDF formats. The DOCX version is fully editable, allowing you to tailor it to the specific conditions of your site.

This checklist is a comprehensive starting point aligned with Australian WHS practice, but it is not a substitute for a site-specific risk assessment.

Important: You must customise this document to reflect the unique layout, equipment, and operating procedures of your workplace. We don't know your site.

Add, remove, and modify checklist items to cover your specific assets, such as fuel docks, sewage pump-out stations, public amenities, car parks, and specific types of plant. For specialised equipment, consider using a dedicated checklist, such as our Free Pre-Start Checklist (Boat Lift) Template, in conjunction with this broader site inspection.

When to conduct a Marina Inspection

The frequency of inspections should be determined by a risk assessment, but a regular schedule is essential for maintaining a safe environment. We recommend conducting comprehensive marina inspections at least monthly. More frequent or targeted checks should be performed:

• After a period of severe weather (e.g., storms, high winds, flooding).
• Following any reported incident, accident, or near miss.
• When there are changes to the layout, equipment, or work procedures.
• During peak seasons when vessel and pedestrian traffic is higher.

Daily visual checks of high-traffic areas are also a good practice. For assets like access control points, a separate daily check using a tool like the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Boom Gate) Template can supplement your main inspection.

Who should use it

This template is designed for use by anyone with responsibility for safety and operational management within a marina or yacht club. Key personnel who will find this resource valuable include:

• Marina Managers and Harbour Masters
• Work Health and Safety (WHS) Officers or Coordinators
• Supervisors and Team Leaders
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Maintenance Managers

Engaging a variety of personnel in the inspection process can provide different perspectives and improve hazard identification. The documented findings also serve as a crucial record for management review and can be a valuable input for more formal WHS compliance auditing activities.

What to Do After the Inspection

An inspection is only effective if its findings are acted upon. Once you have completed the checklist, the next steps are critical.

You should review all identified issues, prioritise them based on risk level, and assign clear corrective actions to responsible individuals with specific due dates. Use a risk matrix to help determine whether the risk is high, medium, or low, which will guide the urgency of your response.

Track all corrective actions through to completion and verify their effectiveness. Communicate the findings and the resulting action plan to relevant workers, management, and the Health and Safety Committee.

For issues related to specific machinery, such as lifting equipment, ensure that any required maintenance or safety checks are logged appropriately. Many marinas utilise hoists, and for these, it's beneficial to also use a specific Free Pre-Start Checklist (Electric Hoist) Template as part of your daily safety routine.

This document is just one of many tools available to help you build a safer workplace. Be sure to explore our complete free WHS resources library for more templates, checklists, and policies to support your safety management system.