Behavioral Health Environmental Risk Assessment Checklist

Record the facility or unit, the specific area or room assessed, the assessment date and the assessor.

Record the patient population, the setting type such as inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient, and the level of supervision.

Confirm the assessment scope and the requirements the environment is assessed against for this setting.

Confirm the assessment reflects the organization's own risk assessment rather than assuming identical controls for every setting.

Confirm prior findings and any interim mitigations are reviewed before starting the walkthrough.

Inspect doors, hinges and closers for anti-ligature design where required for the setting.

Inspect windows and glazing for secure, safety-rated or restricted openings.

Check beds, furniture and wall-mounted fixtures for safe design, secure fixing and no climbing or weapon use.

Check ceiling fixtures, vents and lighting for tamper resistance and no accessible anchor points.

Inspect electrical and utility access, cables and privacy features for concealed hazards.

Inspect doors and locks for safe operation and staff override where required.

Inspect plumbing fixtures, taps and exposed pipework for ligature and tampering risk.

Check grab bars, towel rails and utility fixtures for anti-ligature design and secure fixing.

Inspect mirrors and shower fixtures for shatter resistance and no removable or sharp parts.

Confirm no other accessible bathroom component creates a self-harm or concealment hazard.

Inspect furniture and fixtures for weight, design and fixing that prevent weapon or barricade use.

Check observation sightlines and identify blind spots or concealment areas.

Inspect for potential weapons, sharp or breakable materials and unsafe decor.

Confirm access to restricted items, chemicals and equipment is controlled.

Check that shared equipment and cords cannot be removed or misused.

Confirm exit routes are clear and controlled access functions as intended.

Inspect door hardware, hinges and vision panels along corridors for hazards.

Confirm emergency-release and door-control arrangements work and are understood by staff.

Identify elopement-related environmental risks at exits, stairwells and transition points.

Check corridors for obstructions, unsecured storage and unattended equipment.

Inspect electrical outlets, cabling and isolation for patient-accessible hazards.

Check HVAC grilles, vents and ceiling-mounted equipment for tamper and anchor risk.

Inspect plumbing and water systems for exposed components and ligature points.

Confirm fire and life-safety devices are present, functional and appropriately protected.

Identify any other patient-accessible building component that creates an environmental risk.

For each finding, record the location and the specific hazard identified.

Classify the hazard type for the finding.

Record the potential harm and who could be affected.

Record the risk level for the finding.

Confirm the risk level reflects the patient population and level of supervision rather than a fixed assumption.

Record any immediate mitigation applied to make the area safe.

Assign a corrective action, a responsible person and a due date for each finding.

Record the interim controls in place until the corrective action is complete.

Confirm each corrective action is tracked through to verified closure.

Record the reinspection date and outcome confirming the hazard is resolved.