What to Include in Your Construction Site Safety Plan

Construction sites are among the most dangerous places for workers. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, average rates of injury and illness were 24% higher in construction than they were across all industries. Moreover, one in five deaths among U.S. workers is in the construction industry. 

Having a comprehensive site safety plan is a key way to protect worker health and safety and lower the number of serious injuries and fatalities on job sites. In this guide, you'll learn about what to include in a site specific safety plan—also called SSSPs—and how digital forms technology can help workers comply with safety policies.

What is a site safety plan?

A site safety plan is a written document that describes important details about a building project, including the project name, where the construction site is, any hazards that are present, safety procedures, and other important information. These safety roadmaps are an essential part of every safety program, and they help to ensure that everyone involved in a project knows from the outset how to prevent accidents and what to do if one occurs to minimize the impact. 

Site specific safety plans are so effective, in fact, that they have been proven to reduce unsafe incidents as well as the direct and indirect costs of accidents. In one example, research found that employers who had a safety plan experienced an average decrease of 52% in the number of workers' compensation claims filed by employees.

Is a site safety plan required by OSHA?

It may be surprising, but OSHA does not require a written site safety plan. However, the agency strongly recommends one and has numerous industry-specific resources, such as safety plan templates, to help safety managers develop plans.

Though not required at a federal level, site safety plans are mandated by some states and cities, for example, New York City, where construction sites are often located in dense urban areas. More commonly, general contractors and subcontractors will require site safety plans—regardless of federal or state regulations—before work begins on a project.

What should be included in a site specific safety plan?

There is no required format that must be used to write a safety plan. Plans will differ depending on the type of construction project and scope of work. However, each site safety plan should include the same general elements:

• Project overview: This should include basic project details, including company name, job location, as well as start and completion date. It should also include contact information for the project manager, safety representative, and what OSHA defines as a "competent person." 

• Competence: According to OSHA, a competent person is always at a job site and can identify potential hazards. Moreover, the competent person should have the authority to stop work and make corrections, as well as train other workers to recognize hazards. There is no mandatory competent person training or official certification. Often, the competent person will be a foreman or construction manager, but if a work area is large, multiple competent people may be designated for specific areas.

• Scope of work: The plan should specify what type of work will be done as well the size of the crew.

• Safety representation: The plan should list the name, title, and phone number for the person responsible for compliance with safety requirements on the job site. 

• Medical services and first aid: The site plan should include safety policies for administering first aid, the location of first aid kits,  as well as the name name and location of the nearest medical facility. 

• Site specific requirements: The plan should include a section that describes project specific hazards at the site, as well as procedures workers should follow if an incident occurs. This should include information on:

  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) that workers must wear, such as hard hats, respiratory protection, and other safety equipment.

  • Fall management procedures, including a detailed fall protection plan that includes any guardrails, fall arrest systems, or safety nets that will be in use. Details about any lifts, hoists, scaffolding, and ladders should also be added.

  • Incident reporting procedures, including information that defines what an incident is, under what circumstances it should be reported, and how, such as a written or verbal report. 

  • Emergency preparedness plans should detail a step-by-step outline of emergency contacts and who will be notified if an emergency. occurs—typically 911—as well as how to notify management. 

  • Heavy equipment and vehicles, including a list of all heavy equipment and information on inspections and maintenance. 

  • Fire protection plans that include the locations of fire extinguishers, when to contact the fire department,  and procedures for evacuating a site. 

  • Hazard communications that include information on any known hazardous materials that will be on site.

• Process for safety checks and compliance: Site plans should include information about compliance with safety policies. This can include details about the frequency of self-inspections, any monitoring equipment that is used on the job site, the use of safety checklists, and more. 

How to help ensure safety compliance on your job site

Compliance is particularly important for on the job safety. Site specific safety plans are only effective if workers read, understand, and follow them. Here are three ways to help ensure compliance with your safety policies:

1. Train workers on your site safety plan and remind them of the potential for serious injuries.Safety training is critical to keep workers safe on the job. This should include an initial safety orientation, as well as ongoing safety meetings and training as the project progresses.

2. Ensure workers understand OSHA standards and requirements. Even though site safety plans are not required by OSHA, many of the policies that are included relate directly to OSHA rules and regulations. Workers should understand that violating a site specific safety plan may also lead to OSHA fines and lost work time.

3. Digitize your construction site safety plan to improve safety compliance. While site safety plans can help minimize injuries and keep worksites safe, they are often time-intensive and difficult to fill out. Using a digital forms solution, you can streamline your site safety plan to improve safety and operational efficiency.

Learn how Samsara Connected Forms can improve job site safety

Site safety plans are critical to ensuring employees are compliant with safety policies, helping to reduce potential hazards and prevent workplace injuries. Site safety plans can also be extensive and complex, making it difficult for employees to track, organize, and complete. This can lead to manual errors, inefficiency—or worse—OSHA violations and employee injury.

Today, advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology make it possible to digitize mission-critical forms, transforming the way you collect, manage, and analyze operational data.  Digital forms solutions like Samsara Connected Forms are easy for workers to use, while also enhancing data accuracy and operational efficiency.

• Save time and increase accuracy: Create digital forms for diverse use cases that are simple for workers to complete.

• Address risks in real time: Gain visibility into operational and safety risks with real-time notifications.

• Consolidate data and systems: Break down data silos and get insights faster with open APIs and analytics.

Curious about how Samsara can help you streamline your site safety plan? Contact our team today to learn more or get a free trial.