How to Prepare a Work Plan for Hazardous Machinery and Equipment at Construction Sites
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are required to establish work plans for high-risk tasks that may lead to serious accidents. Construction sites, in particular, frequently use hazardous machinery and equipment such as aerial work platforms, excavators, mobile cranes, and trucks. Because workers, tasks, and site conditions change constantly, the risk of accidents is high. Therefore, work plans must be thoroughly prepared, and safety management must be strictly implemented.
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▣ Preparing a Work Plan
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A work plan is a “safe work procedure” that establishes in advance the methods of work and the measures to reduce or eliminate hazards associated with high-risk machinery or equipment.
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Since a work plan is created based on prior investigation—such as the type and specifications of machinery and equipment, task details, and the terrain or ground conditions of the worksite—it helps establish rational and effective plans grounded in objective information.
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The purpose of creating a work plan is to set work procedures beforehand, identify hazards at each step, and develop measures to reduce or eliminate these risks. The process of preliminary investigation (preparation), hazard identification, and development of mitigation measures is essentially the foundation of risk assessment.
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▣ Preparing and Understanding the Work Plan
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The work plan must be prepared by the foreman or supervisor who will directly oversee the actual work. During safety meetings for the process or task, supervisors, site managers from both the main contractor and subcontractors, and safety managers must review and supplement the prepared work plan together.
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During pre-work toolbox meetings (TBM), reasonable suggestions from all workers involved should be reflected whenever possible, allowing for revisions or improvements. During the work, the foreman and signalers must continuously check whether the work is being conducted according to the plan and whether safety measures are being implemented.
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After the task is completed, the site manager should verify whether the task was carried out according to the work plan. If any deficiencies are found, the plan must be continuously revised and improved. Additionally, if major elements change—such as machinery specifications, work methods, or travel paths—the work plan must be updated accordingly, and the implementation process must be repeated.
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▣ Steps and Procedures for Preparing a Work Plan
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1. Work Planning Stage
Confirm the overall task overview in advance, including work dates (duration), task details, location, number of workers, and machinery or equipment.
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2. Preliminary Investigation, Confirmation, and Inspection
Review relevant documents such as construction machinery registration and inspection certificates, equipment rental logs, and maintenance or repair records to confirm whether mandatory safety inspections have been completed.
Check the installation and functioning of work devices and safety guards, and verify the qualifications and licenses of operators.
Confirm worker information such as completed training, licenses, and personal details.
Investigate the site’s terrain, soil conditions, and potential interference with surrounding structures.
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3. Determining Work Methods and Travel Routes
Select machinery and equipment with specifications appropriate for the work scope.
Determine safe work methods and sequences.
Set safety measures and equipment routes based on site investigation results.
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4. Identifying Hazards and Establishing Safety Measures
Identify hazards based on machinery used, task details, and work location.
Develop site-specific safety measures for each hazard.
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5. Preparing and Revising the Work Plan
Create the work plan using the standard template, reflecting preliminary investigation results, work methods, travel paths (drawings), and safety measures for each hazard.
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Revise or rewrite the plan when major changes occur, such as:
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Changes in machinery or equipment type/specifications
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Changes in the type of materials handled
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Changes in work personnel (foreman, signaler, operator)
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Changes in excavation sections or loading/unloading locations
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▣ Summary of Work Plan Components
| Item | Key Plan |
| Handling Heavy Loads |
Hazards: falling loads, collisions, overturning, entrapment, collapse
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Vehicle-Mounted Handling/Transport Machinery & Construction Machinery |
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| Excavation Work |
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[Preliminary Investigation, Work Plan Preparation, and Duties of Work Supervisors and Signalers]
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√ (Preliminary Investigation and Preparation of Work Plans)
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To prevent risks to workers, the employer must conduct a preliminary investigation of the work, including the terrain, ground conditions, and soil structure of the worksite, and prepare a work plan based on the investigation results.
The employer must prepare a work plan for the following types of work:
① Installation, assembly, or dismantling of tower cranes
② Work involving vehicle-mounted handling and transport machinery
③ Work involving vehicle-mounted construction machinery
④–⑤ (omitted)
⑥ Excavation work where the height of the excavation face is 2 meters or more
⑦–⑩ (omitted)
⑪ Handling of heavy loads
⑫–⑬ (omitted) -
The employer must inform the relevant workers of the contents of the work plan prepared in accordance with Paragraph 1.
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When assembling, dismantling, modifying, or relocating pile drivers or pile hammers, the employer must establish the work methods and procedures and ensure that workers are fully informed.
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√ (Designation of Work Supervisors)
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When a work plan has been prepared under Article 38(1), Subparagraphs 2, 6, 8, and 11, the employer must appoint a work supervisor who will direct the work in accordance with the work plan.
However, for work under Article 38(1), Subparagraph 2, a work supervisor is not required if the work area is inaccessible to other workers or if only one piece of vehicle-mounted handling or transport machinery is operating and there is no risk of collision due to the absence of workers nearby. -
When assembling, dismantling, modifying, or relocating pile drivers or pile hammers, the employer must establish the work methods and procedures and ensure that workers understand them.
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√ (Signals)
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When performing any of the following types of work, the employer must establish a standard signaling method, and operators must follow those signals:
① Work involving lifting machines
② Work requiring the assignment of a signaler under Article 171 or the proviso of Article 172(1) (vehicle-mounted handling and transport machinery)
③ Work requiring the assignment of a signaler under the proviso of Article 200(1) (vehicle-mounted construction machinery)
④ Operation of pile drivers or pile hammers
⑤ Work in which two or more workers handle or transport heavy loads
⑥–⑧ (omitted) -
Operators and workers must comply with the signaling methods established under Paragraph 1
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