Take 5 Books for New South Wales Worksites
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), enforced by SafeWork NSW, requires workers and employers to identify hazards before commencing any task. A Take 5 book is the practical, on the ground tool for meeting this obligation, and provides a written record that the process was followed.
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Take 5 books are standard issue across New South Wales's construction, mining, manufacturing, logistics, and civil infrastructure sectors. When a worker pulls out a Take 5 before starting a task, they're not just following procedure — they're creating a documented record that hazards were considered and controlled.
Brute's Take 5 books are small enough to live in a shirt pocket and tough enough for real site conditions. 100% Australian made and printed in Perth, WA. Bulk pricing and trade accounts available. We deliver to Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Parramatta, and across regional NSW with 1 to 3 business day dispatch.
The five steps are: stop and think about the task before starting; look for hazards in and around the work area; assess the risks those hazards present; control the hazards by applying the appropriate safety measures; and monitor the situation as the task progresses to ensure controls remain in place. Workers record each step in their Take 5 book, providing a written risk assessment for each task completed. On NSW worksites where informal verbal checks are not considered sufficient for WHS compliance, the completed Take 5 record serves as documented evidence that the worker identified hazards and confirmed controls before beginning work.
A Take 5 is not prescribed by name under New South Wales legislation, but the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), administered by SafeWork NSW, requires persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers to identify hazards and manage risks before carrying out any task. The Take 5 process directly supports this duty by providing a structured, documented method for on-the-spot hazard identification and risk assessment. Across NSW's construction, civil, infrastructure, and utilities sectors, many principal contractors require Take 5 assessments as part of their site safety management systems and induction procedures. Having completed Take 5 records on file also demonstrates due diligence in the event of a workplace incident or SafeWork NSW inspection.
The Brute Safety Products Take 5 book measures 105 x 148 mm, making it compact enough to fit in a shirt pocket or work vest so workers can carry it throughout their shift on any NSW site. Each book contains 50 forms printed on 100gsm paper, providing good durability in the varying conditions found across NSW construction, civil, and utilities environments. The coil spine allows the book to lay flat for easy completion, including when wearing gloves or working in confined areas. It is a cost-effective way to ensure every worker on a NSW crew has a documented risk assessment process in their pocket.
A Take 5 should be completed before starting any new task, when site conditions change, when moving to a different work location, or when a new or unfamiliar hazard is identified. On NSW construction, civil, and infrastructure worksites, conditions can change throughout the day due to weather, the activities of other trades, and evolving work scopes. Completing a Take 5 at each of these points ensures that hazards are identified and controls are in place before work commences. Principal contractors may specify minimum frequency requirements as part of their site safety management plan, so workers should always refer to the relevant site procedures when on a managed project.
Yes. Custom Take 5 books are available for NSW businesses that need hazard prompts, controls, and fields tailored to their specific industry, equipment types, or internal safety procedures. Customisation options include company logo and branding, industry-specific hazard categories, site-specific risk controls, and additional fields for permit references, supervisor sign-off, or project details. This is particularly suited to principal contractors, large civil and infrastructure projects, and businesses operating multiple crews across different NSW locations. All Brute Safety Products books are Australian made and printed in Perth, WA, with orders dispatched within one to three business days. Free shipping applies to orders over $200, and trade accounts are available for businesses with ongoing or high-volume requirements.
