The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched the Safe Plan of Action (SPA), a one page planning tool designed to support safer working practices across construction sites in Ireland.
The tool is intended to help construction crews prepare for work by translating high level safety documentation into clear, practical steps before tasks begin.
A practical tool built on planning and prevention
Developed in collaboration with the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC), it focusses around the principle that safety starts with planning.
Thw SPA enables workers, contractors and supervisors to identify hazards, define control measures and outline how work will be carried out.
The A3 template can be completed at the start of each day or week and sits alongside existing risk assessment method statements, supporting the project supervisor construction stage in coordinating health and safety requirements.
The SPA includes sections for defining task steps, identifying common construction risks such as moving plant, working at height and live services and confirming required permits, PPE and control measures.
It also incorporates a structured team briefing element, with space for supervisor, translator and crew signatures to ensure safety information is clearly communicated and understood.
Designed for a variety of projects
Designed for use across projects of all sizes, the tool provides a practical approach to managing on site risks without increasing administrative burden.
It is particularly suited to micro and small contractors seeking straightforward compliance solutions, while also supporting operations on diverse and multilingual sites.
By encouraging teams to plan collaboratively, the SPA aims to improve coordination, reduce delays, and minimise incidents on site.
Reducing incidents on construction sites
Eibhlín O’Leary, Assistant Chief Executive of HSA, said: “Planning work safely is a core requirement under health and safety legislation.
“The Safe Plan of Action is designed to support construction teams identify hazards, agree control measures and clearly set out how work will be carried out before it begins.
“By focusing on how individual tasks are carried out, the SPA will help to prevent incidents and support safer working practices across construction sites.”
Eamonn Stapleton, Co-Chair of the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC), said: “Employers need safety tools that are clear and workable on live construction sites.
“The Safe Plan of Action provides a practical structure for planning work at task level, helping contractors identify hazards and controls without excessive paperwork.
“It is a proportionate tool that can be applied across projects of different sizes and supports safer, more organised site operations.”
John Murphy, Co-Chair of the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC), said: “From a worker perspective, effective safety begins with clear information that people can understand and apply to the work in front of them.
“The Safe Plan of Action supports clearer briefings and better understanding at crew level.
“This is particularly important on busy and multilingual sites, where clear communication is essential to preventing injury and ill health.”
