Construction safety plans
A construction safety plan can assist principal contractors to manage their workplace health and safety obligations.
A principal contractor must prepare a construction safety plan before construction work starts.
The plan must state:
- workplace address
- name and address of the principal contractor
- principal contractor’s ABN
- whether there is a WHS committee
- whether there is a WHS Officer appointed
- expected start date
- estimated duration of the work
- type of construction
- plant provided for common use
- site rules
- the risks the principal contractor is obliged to manage
- proposed control measures for the risks
- how the controls will be implemented
- arrangements for monitoring and reviewing controls
- emergency procedures
- public safety strategies.
The plan must be written so it is easy to understand, signed and dated by the principal contractor. It must be available for the length of the project.
The principal contractor must sign and date work method statements that have been received and keep them with the plan, as well as monitor their implementation.
The principal contractor cannot allow work to start unless:
- the plan has been discussed with or a copy given to all relevant people
- the plan is available or readily available for inspection.
The plan must be amended if there are changes in how risks will be managed. The principal contractor must inform any affected person of the change.
Last updated 22 July 2008