Make no mistake about it – construction sites are dangerous. Hazards exist everywhere, even while taking precautions. Things like sharp tools, airborne debris and tripping hazards, all the way up to falls, collapses and struck-by accidents are just a few of the many safety hazards you can find on most construction sites. While accidents certainly aren’t planned, the prevention of accidents is ALWAYS planned. Not only do workers in the industry need to be educated on safe work practices, but they need to know the specific hazards that each job site presents. While basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required on all sites, we need something more for our projects to make sure we’re creating as safe of a work environment as possible. We need a Project Safety Plan. So what is a Project Safety Plan, exactly? In this article, we’ll answer this question via a free project-specific site safety plan template!
Project Safety Plan: An Overview
Let’s go through what a safety plan in construction requires. If you feel like jumping ahead, click below to view a specific section:
- The Importance Of Safety Plans
- What Is A Site Safety Plan?
- Does OSHA Require A Site Safety Plan
- Download A Site Specific Safety Plan Template
Why Is Safety In Construction So Important?
To give some context behind the importance of working safely, we turn to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for some important statistics.
Here are a few of construction safety statistics to be aware of:
- In 2017, there were 4,674 private-sector workplace deaths. Over 20% of workplace deaths were in the construction industry – 971 to be exact. That’s 18 construction deaths per week.
- Out of the 971 construction-related fatalities, here are the four most common causes:
- 381 – Falls – 39.2%
- 80 – Struck By Object – 8.2%
- 71 – Electrocutions – 7.3%
- 50 – Caught-Between – 5.1%
Obviously, providing a safe environment for workers that minimizes the exposure to these hazards is paramount for contractors. Worker safety is extremely important for the workers and their families. In 2019, contractors are penalized more harshly than ever before for safety infractions:
- OSHA inspected 73,013 workplaces in 2018. That’s about 1,400 per week.
- OSHA issued 31,816 violations in FY 2018. That’s over 611 per week.
- OSHA’s Penalty Fees for 2019 are as follows:
- Up to $13,260 per violation
- Up to $13,260 per violation after failing to abate (correct)
- Up to $132,598 per violation for willful or repeat violations
Even if you have a job site with zero accidents, OSHA violations can be extremely expensive – so much so that some contractors default on projects and even go bankrupt because of fines after several violations are found.
Safety is preventative. Which leads us to…
What Is A Project Safety Plan (Site Specific Safety Plan)?
Simply put, a project safety plan – otherwise known as a Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) – is a written document outlining all of the information a worker needs to know about working safely on a job site. It’s as simple as that, but also as all-encompassing as that.
A project safety plan must be an all-in-one reference for workers to review prior to beginning work on their first day at the site. Additionally, site safety plans must serve as a reference when a worker has a question about working safely or if an emergency occurs.
If you think a project safety plan is optional or just a recommendation, think again…
Does OSHA Require A Site Specific Safety Plan?
OSHA has created safety regulations for many industries. In the world of construction, we turn to OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926, otherwise known as the Safety & Health Regulations For Construction. This standard outlines a wide variety of safe work practices, as well as the latest rules and standards for job site safety. I highly recommend you check out this document, as it outlines all of the standards to be aware of.
In short, the answer is YES – OSHA DOES in fact require a site specific safety plan. There are several specific codes within OSHA’s regulations to be aware of. To provide a little more detail, here are a few sections within OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926 to keep in mind:
PROMOTION
1926.21(b)(2): “The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his (or her) work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.“
What this means? Contractors and supervisors in construction must advise workers on the specific hazards they’ll encounter on the job site, along with any specific standards and rules for that particular site. This gets even more important when hazardous materials and processes come into play.
1926.20(a)(1) – General Safety & Health Provisions states that “…no contractor or subcontractor for any part of the contract work shall require any laborer or mechanic employed in the performance of the contract to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his health or safety.“
1926.20(b)(1): “It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.“
As you can see, OSHA places much emphasis on the employer’s responsibility to make the job site and the workers as safe as possible. Having a site-specific plan is essential to doing this.
Related Articles:
- Basic Jobsite Safety For Project Managers In Construction
- How Do You Read Blueprints? Our Step-By-Step Guide With Examples!
- Construction Project Team: Roles And Responsibilities
- What Is A Daily Report In Construction? 5 Best Practices
What To Include In A Site Specific Safety Plan
Before we start discussing what a site-specific safety plan should include…
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Should you choose to create a site safety plan from scratch, here’s a list of information that should be included:
- Basic Project Info: Address, Client Info., Project Name/No.
- Project Contacts
- Emergency Contact: 911, Nearest Hospital, Nearest Clinic.
- Scope Of Work & Specific Hazards: Hazards & Precaution / Info. / PPE Required For Each Item Of Work On The Project.
- Emergency Procedures: Evacuation, Rescue & Medical Emergency Plans.
- General Rules Of Job Site
- Supplemental Plans: Work Involving Risk Of Falls, Collapse, Combustion, Fire, Toxic Chemicals, Etc. Should Have Your Company’s Specific Safety Policy Incorporated Into Your SSSP.
- Materials In Use & Their Specific Hazards: Include Copies Of Product Data & Safety Data Sheets When Applicable.
- Certifications & Training Programs Required Before Starting Work
- A Page For Signatures Of Employees Who Have Reviewed The Plan
- A Copy Of Your Company’s General Safety Policy
In Summary
While construction is a dangerous industry, contractors and workers alike can and should take plenty of precautions prior to starting work. It is essential that contractors identify all of the hazards that workers may face on each specific project, along with how they can protect themselves and those around them in the process. I hope you’ve found this article about project safety plans in construction useful and informative. If you’ve chosen to download our template, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below!
