Your End-of-Year WHS Checklist: What to Do Before You Shut Down

alannaball
6 days ago
2 min read

The end of the year is hectic enough—finalising projects, chasing invoices, trying to get everyone to hit "out of office" before burnout hits.

But there’s one thing that often gets left until the last minute: your WHS shutdown plan.

Whether you’re closing for a week or a month, shutting down a workplace carries real risks. Equipment is left unused. People rush. Communication slows down. And yet, with the right planning, it can be the safest and most productive season of the year.

Here’s your 8-point WHS shutdown checklist:

Secure equipment, chemicals & high-risk zones
Lock up what needs locking. Tag out what needs tagging. Don’t assume "someone else" will do it.
Communicate emergency contacts
Ensure all staff know who to contact (and how) in case of incidents or breaches.
Review fire safety and first aid systems
Check dates, access, and expiry. Ensure kits and extinguishers are visible and functional.
Clean and reset kitchen & restroom areas
Avoid hygiene issues by cleaning before you close—no one wants to return to surprises.
Mental health check-ins
Acknowledge that the holiday season can be hard. Share wellbeing resources and support options.
Team debrief
Before people scatter, reflect: What went well this year? What needs improvement?
Plan your January WHS restart briefing
Get it in the calendar now—don’t leave it until the first day back.
Assign shutdown WHS responsibilities
Someone should own the shutdown process and post-holiday reactivation.