• The site-specific safety and health plan is an element of the larger safety and health program with the purpose of addressing the safety and health hazards of each phase of site operation.
• Pre-entry briefings and periodic inspections work in concert with the plan to ensure continuing compliance with and effectiveness of the plan.

The site-specific safety and health plan (sometimes referred to as the site-specific HASP, for “health and safety plan”) aids in eliminating or effectively controlling anticipated safety and health hazards. The plan must identify the hazards of each phase of the specific site operation and must be kept on the worksite.

The plan needs to include all the basic requirements of the overall safety and health program, but with attention to those characteristics unique to the site. For example, it may outline confined space entry procedures, air and personal monitoring and environmental sampling, and a spill containment program to address the particular hazards present at the site.

Plan basics

The site-specific safety plan establishes policies and procedures to protect workers and the public from any potential hazards at a specific site. It must be kept onsite.

The plan is intended to minimize accidents and injuries during normal activity and adverse conditions like extreme temperatures. The information used to develop the plan (and revise the plan as new data or information is obtained) comes from the site characterization, which consists of three phases:

1. A preliminary evaluation
2. An initial site entry
3. Ongoing evaluations

The plan should be developed by both onsite and offsite management, and it’s a good idea to have it reviewed by experts such as health physicists, chemists, and toxicologists.

Plan elements

Some of the elements (like training and medical surveillance) in the site-specific safety and health plan are also elements of the overall safety and health program. However, while the program addresses overall issues, the plan addresses site-specific concerns. It includes the following elements:

• A hazard or risk analysis for each task and operation performed onsite found in the comprehensive work plan;
• Confirmation that personnel have received proper training to perform their assigned tasks;
• The personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used by workers for each task and operation performed onsite;
• A description of site-specific medical surveillance requirements;
• Types of monitoring and sampling to be performed onsite, including instruments (and their maintenance and calibration), methods, and frequency;
• Site control measures under a site control program;
• Decontamination procedures;
• The emergency response plan or emergency action plan, whichever is applicable;
• Confined space entry procedures; and
• The spill containment program.

Pre-entry briefings

As a supplement to the plan, pre-entry briefings and safety meetings help to promote a safety-conscious work environment and apprise employees of the site-specific safety and health plan. These briefings should be conducted by the site safety officer or other informed, knowledgeable individual and may be held:

• Prior to site activity, and
• Any time new activities or changing conditions warrant it.

Safety meetings may also be held each day to ensure workers stay informed about safety expectations.

The purpose of briefings and safety meetings is to convey safety and health information and keep employees focused on safety and health. Topics they might address include:

• The tasks to be performed and any associated hazards associated,
• The coordination of activities,
• Methods and precautions to prevent injury and illness,
• Emergency plans,
• Changes to the site-specific plan,
• New conditions or information, and
• Worker feedback on work conditions and the plan’s effectiveness.

Inspections

Inspections also help ensure the effectiveness of the site-specific safety and health plan. It’s important to inspect site conditions, facilities, equipment, and activities because conditions can change quickly with site activity, degradation of containers, equipment maintenance, and weather.

Inspections should be conducted by the site safety and health supervisor, or, in the absence of that individual, another person who is knowledgeable in occupational safety and health. When conducting inspections, employers should:

• Use a checklist of items to inspect,
• Review inspection results with supervisors and workers,
• Reinspect identified issues to ensure they have been addressed,
• Document all inspections and corrective actions, and
• Retain inspection records.

Employers are responsible for correcting any deficiencies found in the site plan.

The frequency of inspections depends on the characteristics of the site and equipment. Things to consider:

• The severity of onsite risks;
• Regulations;
• Operation and maintenance requirements;
• The expected lifetime of equipment; and
• Professional judgment, lab tests, and field experience.