The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan: Who Writes It and What It Must Cover
A detailed guide to the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan required under the Construction Regulations 2013 in Ireland.
# The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan: Who Writes It and What It Must Cover --- The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan is one of the most important safety documents on any notifiable construction project in Ireland. It is the master safety management document for the construction stage: the document that sets out how health and safety will be managed on site, what the significant hazards are, and how they will be controlled. Despite its importance, the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan is frequently misunderstood. It is sometimes confused with the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan (which is prepared by the PSDP at the design stage), and it is sometimes treated as a generic document that can be copied from one project to the next without modification. Neither approach meets the legal requirement. This article explains who is responsible for preparing the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan, what it must contain, and how it should be used and maintained throughout the project. --- ## The Legal Requirement The requirement for a Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan is set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Regulation 18 requires the PSCS to prepare a Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan before the construction phase begins. The plan must be prepared before any construction work starts on site. It is not acceptable to begin construction and prepare the plan later. The HSA has the power to issue an improvement notice or prohibition notice where construction work is being carried out without an adequate plan in place. --- ## Who Prepares the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan? The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan is prepared by the Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS). The PSCS is appointed by the client and is responsible for co-ordinating health and safety during the construction phase of the project. In practice, the PSCS is usually the main contractor on the project, although it can be a specialist safety consultant appointed to fulfil the PSCS role. Where the main contractor acts as PSCS, they will typically prepare the plan themselves, drawing on information from the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan prepared by the PSDP. The plan must be specific to the project. It cannot be a generic document. It must reflect the actual hazards and risks present on the specific site, the specific construction methods to be used, and the specific arrangements for managing health and safety on that project. --- ## The Relationship with the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan builds on the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan prepared by the PSDP. The Preliminary Plan sets out the known hazards and risks associated with the project as identified during the design stage, and provides information for the PSCS to use in preparing the Construction Phase Plan. The PSCS must review the Preliminary Plan before preparing the Construction Phase Plan and must incorporate the relevant information into it. Where the Preliminary Plan identifies hazards that require specific management arrangements, the Construction Phase Plan must address those arrangements. --- ## What the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan Must Contain The Construction Regulations 2013 do not prescribe a specific format for the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan, but they do require that it contain certain information. The following sections are typically included in a comprehensive plan. ### Project Information This section provides basic information about the project, including: - The name and address of the project - The name and contact details of the client - The name and contact details of the PSDP and PSCS - The names and contact details of the principal contractors and key subcontractors - The estimated start date and duration of the construction phase - The maximum number of workers likely to be on site at any one time - The HSA notification reference number (where the project has been notified) ### Description of the Works This section describes the nature and scope of the construction works, including the construction methods to be used, the sequence of operations, and any phasing arrangements. ### Site-Specific Hazards and Risks This is the core of the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan. It must identify all significant hazards present on the site or likely to arise during the construction phase, and must describe the control measures that will be implemented to manage each hazard. Typical hazards to be addressed include: | Hazard | Key Controls to Address | |---|---| | Falls from height | Scaffolding, edge protection, MEWP use, ladder policy | | Excavations | Inspection regime, support systems, underground services | | Moving plant and vehicles | Traffic management plan, segregation, banksmen | | Overhead power lines | Exclusion zones, goal posts, ESB notification | | Underground services | Service drawings, CAT scanning, trial holes | | Hazardous substances | Chemical agents risk assessment, RPE, health surveillance | | Noise and vibration | Exposure assessments, tool selection, rotation | | Manual handling | Task-specific assessments, mechanical aids | | Structural instability | Temporary works design, propping, sequence of demolition | | Fire | Emergency plan, hot works permit system, fire points | ### Welfare Arrangements This section describes the welfare facilities to be provided on site, including toilets, washing facilities, rest areas, and drinking water. It should specify the number of facilities to be provided and the arrangements for maintaining them in a clean and serviceable condition. ### Site Rules This section sets out the rules that all workers on site must follow. Site rules typically cover: - Personal protective equipment requirements - Permit to work systems (for hot works, confined space entry, and other high-risk activities) - Induction requirements - Reporting of accidents and near misses - Drug and alcohol policy - Smoking policy - Speed limits for vehicles on site - Arrangements for visitors ### Emergency Procedures This section describes the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency, including: - Fire evacuation procedures and assembly points - Procedures for dealing with a serious injury or fatality - Contact details for the emergency services - The location of first aid facilities and the names of trained first aiders - Procedures for dealing with a structural collapse or other major incident ### Health and Safety Management Arrangements This section describes the arrangements for managing health and safety on site, including: - The roles and responsibilities of the PSCS, site manager, safety officer, and other key personnel - The arrangements for site inductions - The arrangements for toolbox talks and safety briefings - The arrangements for site inspections and audits - The arrangements for reviewing and updating the plan ### Subcontractor Management This section describes how subcontractors will be managed in relation to health and safety, including: - The process for approving subcontractors before they start work on site - The requirements for subcontractors to provide their own risk assessments and method statements - The arrangements for co-ordinating the work of multiple subcontractors --- ## Reviewing and Updating the Plan The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan is a live document. It must be reviewed and updated whenever: - New subcontractors or activities are introduced to the site - The scope or sequence of the works changes significantly - An accident, near miss, or dangerous occurrence occurs - An HSA inspection identifies deficiencies - Working conditions change significantly (for example, the discovery of unexpected ground conditions or services) The plan should be reviewed formally at regular intervals throughout the project, typically monthly on larger projects or whenever significant changes occur. --- ## Making the Plan Available The Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan must be kept on site and must be available for inspection by the HSA, by workers, and by their safety representatives. Workers must be made aware of the plan and of the arrangements that affect them. It is not sufficient to prepare the plan and file it away. The plan is only useful if it is communicated to the people who need to act on it. --- Safety Check provides PSCS services and Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan preparation for construction projects across Leinster and all of Ireland. If you need help preparing or reviewing a Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan, [contact us](/contact) to discuss your project.