Why Risk Assessments and Task Analysis Shouldn’t Happen in the Ute

It’s tempting—especially on a busy site or trade job— when its cold, dark or raining to knock out your risk assessment or task analysis in the ute before starting work. But here’s the problem: the ute is not the worksite that you are assessing.

1. You Can’t See the Real Hazards

Risk assessments are about identifying actual hazards in the environment where the work will take place. Sitting in a vehicle—especially when it’s cold, dark, or raining—means you’re missing:

• Trip and slip hazards on uneven or wet ground

• Overhead risks like power lines, scaffolding, or tree branches

• Changing ground conditions like mud, ice, or pooled water

• Interactions with other workers or machinery

If you write your assessment away from the site—or in conditions that obscure visibility—it becomes theoretical, not practical.

2. Context Matters

Every job is unique. Tools, materials, weather, and site layout can all change daily. Hazards that seem minor from the ute—or aren’t visible in poor conditions—can be critical once you’re on the ground. Task analysis works best on-site in real conditions.

3. It Reduces Team Engagement

Completing assessments off-site or in poor weather can feel like ticking boxes. When done on-site with your team, everyone sees hazards first-hand, contributes ideas, and understands why controls matter. This strengthens safety cultureand accountability.

Practical Tip

• Walk the site first, even if the weather isn’t perfect.

• Note hazards as you see them and in the conditions you’ll be working.

• Discuss controls with the team where the work actually happens.

• Document the assessment on-site, not in the ute.

✅ Bottom line: Risk assessments and task analyses are tools to make work safer in the real environment, not a paperwork exercise. Doing them in the ute, in the dark, cold, or rain misses hazards and undermines safety. Seeing the site first, in real conditions, keeps everyone safer.