Safe Work Plan (SWP)

Tasks/Hazards associated with tasks/Mitigation of hazards.

To properly fill out a safe work plan, you should:

• Prior to work starting, identify all potential hazards associated with the task during a workplace inspection
• Identify risks of those hazards
• Outline safety procedures to mitigate risks
• Select the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Some clients have a matrix with minimum requirements for identified high hazard tasks.

We all know that from time to time while creating safe work plans, we can become complacent, particularly when the tasks are repetitive.  When recognizing this, it’s best to change things up a bit.

It seems best when the SWP is created by the individual(s) performing the workplace inspection and/or supervision assigning tasks, then getting the craft involved. Encourage crafts to add to it. Remember, it needs to be approved by supervision. Construction Management and Craft Supervisors must follow-up during construction to ensure compliance.

An SWP should be considered a living document. If a new hazard is discovered during the performance of the job, this information and any appropriate risk mitigation strategies should be added to the SWP and the crew working on the task should be briefed. Collect after action feedback to improve future plans on similar topics.

Develop an SWP audit program to identify when/if conditions change and that they are addressed. If issues are found during an audit get supervision/project management involved. When employees see that their employer is being proactive to ensure their safety, it builds confidence and lifts morale within the company.

Verify that names on the SWP match with the daily headcount. 

Ensure the SWP is easily available for people to view. If a new worker starts the task covered by the SWP, the plan should be in a convenient location for them to review it. The same holds true for supervision that are auditing the work.

Empower the field crews to immediately stop work if unsafe conditions are discovered during the work that were not addressed in the SWP.  Site Supervision should be contacted immediately in such instances. Work should only commence after the unsafe conditions have been addressed, and the SWP is amended and distributed.

Taking the time to have a good safe work plan and the proper selection of personnel to complete the tasks can greatly reduce the risk of accidents and incidents.

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