ForConstructionPros.com

Word has just come down from estimating: They want an updated copy of your safety plan by this afternoon so it can be included with a bid going out by 4:00 p.m. Ever happen to you? If not, it will.

More and more contracts are being awarded to those companies that not only can do the work, but do it safely. This means you have to be prepared. You need a plan, a "safety plan."

Writing a safety plan is not rocket science. If you can follow an outline, have a basic working knowledge of safety and the work your company does, you can do it.

A living document

Every safety plan should be a living document that can be easily adapted to the specific safety and contractual needs of each project. The larger and more complex the project, the larger and more complex the safety plan. Each task in a project should be reviewed to identify known hazards, and your safety plan should provide general guidance for those hazards that are unexpected or unpredictable, what to do about them, who does what during an emergency, how they do it, and when they do it.

Your plan objective should state that your company intends to take any steps necessary to protect its employees, and others, from accidents and hazardous conditions in the workplace. Mention you will follow OSHA regulation "29 CFR 1926, Safety & Health Regulations for Construction." Each section of your safety plan should detail how you are going to provide this protection.