Kevin You should not use a generic questionnaire for this. It needs to be specific for the hazards associated with your companies activities or it will not have any value. Start by looking at what goes on in your factory, looking at your risk assessments and safety policies/procedures and take it from there. Do you have a safety induction that you give to new starters? This should involve a powerpoint presentation highlighting all of your hazards and control measures with a questionnaire at the end to evaluate peoples understanding of the training.

Below is a very basic tick box from the net outlining who has responsibility for what within a sawmill workplace. I think the team meet these responsibilities but it might be worthwhile making sure that they are recorded on job descriptions or competency records. Whose primary responsibility is it to ensure that: Operator Supervisor Manager People are properly supervised for safety at all times? Y Y People work and behave safely at all times? Y Y Y People are properly trained? Y Y People are obeying company health and safety rules? Y Y Y Everyone is aware of the hazards in the workplace? Y Y Machinery is properly guarded when used? Y Y Machines and equipment are inspected to ensure they are safe to use? Y Y People are using the correct safety appliances properly, eg jigs and pushsticks? Y Y People are not unnecessarily exposed to hazardous substances? Y Y People are using the correct personal protective equipment? Y Y The working area is kept clean, clear and tidy? Y Y Y Everyone knows what to do in an emergency? Y Y Y Action is taken following accidents and near misses? Y Y Y

Kevin, I do not agree with the statement that it cannot be generic it depends on who it is aimed at. The british Safety Council have a one days course on basic health and safety with a generic questioniare at the end, food hygiene have the same, the CIEH also have similar. You should try and make it specific but it also depends on the level of hazardous workplace you are in. You could have a generic questioniare from someone and then just add a couple of questions that apply to your workplace. It's about it being suitable and sometimes a questioniare on basic H&S is suitable for all areas.

In the true sense, the "competencies" required of your workforce should be established via a risk assessment process (= control measures). Have you considered use of e-learning tools (there are various providers of basic awareness packages)? In the wider context of safety awareness, the IOSH Working Safely Course might fit the bill (and it has lots of pictures ;0). The construction industry of course has the basic CSCS screen test, but then I'm not a fan of that - I don't believe that particular test confirms any sort of competency.