Take 5 Safety Books and Pre-Start Checklists are two of our most popular printed safety solutions. They’re easy to use, industry compliant and fully transportable – meaning they can be used whenever needed and in almost any working environment. 

And whilst the goal of both is to keep worksites safe, there are a couple of crucial differences between the two. 

So which of these two valuable printed tools is right for your requirements? Which will help to keep your workers safe?

In this article, we’ll take you through the specifics and differences between both resources, so you can prevent accidents and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding workplace safety.

What Is a Take 5 Safety Book?

Take 5 Safety Books are an essential part of the workplace and the quickest and easiest way to carry out risk assessments and isolate any potential problems. Workers receive free online Take 5 training to ensure they’re using the books to their full potential and can effectively and swiftly make them part of their daily workplace routine. 

The books are concise and clear, meaning they only take a few minutes to fill out but can make a big difference when it comes to minimising accidents at work. There’s no room for confusion and staff can quickly fill them out, ensuring they’re back to work in no time, safely and securely.

All the Take 5 Safety Books printed by UniPrint are pocket-sized so that they’re portable and don’t take up too much space on a worker or close to machinery. Workers can always be prepared and ensure they fill out the relevant documentation whenever needed. We also offer Take 5 Books printed on stone paper or with a waterproof cover to ensure they’re durable and can be used in diverse industries such as mining, plumbing and construction. 

What Is a Pre-Start Checklist?

Pre-Start Checklists are designed to track the condition of machinery and service equipment as and when necessary. Our versatile checklists can be used to check the functionality of a variety of machinery, setting them apart from other checklists on the market. 

They include both daily and weekly inspection forms, allowing workers to fill out the checklists as often as needed. There’s also a clear repair log, so those operating machinery can quickly check the equipment’s history and keep a keen eye out for past issues.

As with all UniPrint products, the Pre-Start Checklists are industry-compliant and they can help companies to encourage, develop and prove that safety management systems are in place. They’re accessible and quick for workers to fill out and can easily become part of a company’s daily safety routine.

Similarities Between Take 5 Safety Books and Pre-Start Checklists

1. Help to Keep the Workplace Safe. Both of these printable safety solutions help to encourage workers to take health and safety seriously and are a visual and constant reminder of how important safety measures are. 

2. Easy to Fill Out. All our printable solutions are designed to be quick and easy to fill out so they don’t take up too much work time and employees are motivated to complete them.

3. Industry Compliant. Both are completely industry-compliant, ensuring they’re suitable for use in various workplaces.

4. Durable. Take 5 Safety Books and Pre-Start Checklists can be printed on stone paper and with waterproof covers to ensure maximum durability in a number of different working environments.

5. Customisable. Both the Checklists and the Safety Books are customisable. We can add unique text, company logos, meeting points, extra pages, maps, images and protocols specific to your industry or workplace. Having customisable safety solutions helps to engage workers and make health and safety a priority whilst simultaneously streamlining the work environment. 

6. Identify Hazards and Risks Before They Cause Accidents. One of the key features of both is that they help workers to efficiently identify and document hazards and risks that could cause accidents. Everyone is aligned with protocol, minimising severe accidents at work.

Key Differences Between Take 5 Safety Books and Pre-Start Checklists

Although there are many similarities, the main difference between the two of them is when they are used. Pre-Start Checklists are used to assess machinery and equipment and ensure that they are fully functional and that the risk of them breaking or an accident occurring is minimal. You can log general repairs, note when the machine needs to be maintained and clearly state why a machine should not be used. 

Not only does regularly checking machinery increase workplace safety, but it also keeps expensive machinery running for much longer. It’s easier and more cost-effective to repair small issues in machines before they totally break. Taking them out of the workplace for a full repair or buying a new one can get very expensive.

Take 5 Safety Books, however, can be used in a more general way. Workers can check for possible hazards and are encouraged to report them and fix them where necessary. They can include hazards regarding wiring, uneven surfaces, heights, equipment, lack of training and harmful chemicals. Take 5 Safety Books tend to create a positive and cohesive workplace health and safety culture. 

So, Which Printed Safety Solution Is Best for You?

If you’re looking for a safety solution, particularly for checking the safety of machinery and equipment, then a Pre-Start Checklist could be perfect. As the name suggests, workers have to check the safety features and functionality before using the machinery, helping to minimise the risk of accidents happening.

Pre-Start Checklists can work amazingly alongside Take 5 Safety Books. Employees who use heavy machinery can check it’s safe before using it and a Take 5 Safety Book can ensure the rest of the workplace is safe too. Protocols are clearly noted down so everyone knows what to do in the event of an accident or risk being identified.

Contact the team at UniPrint to discuss how both printable solutions could work well for your workers and workplace.