[PRE TASK PLAN TITLE]

Project: [PROJECT NAME]

Date: 2026-06-25

Location: [LOCATION]

Supervisor: [SUPERVISOR NAME]

Task Overview

This pre-task plan covers work at heights activities where workers may be exposed to fall hazards from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms, aerial lifts, or other elevated work surfaces. The plan addresses fall protection selection and use, hazard identification and risk assessment, permit-to-work controls, anchor point verification, dropped object prevention, rescue preparedness, supervision, training, and compliance with applicable OSHA and work-at-height safety procedures. The plan is intended to be reviewed before work begins and updated whenever site conditions, equipment, or methods change. [4] [5] [6] [10]

Expected Duration: Duration to be determined by the site supervisor based on the specific work scope and conditions.

Number of Workers: Number of workers to be determined by the site supervisor based on the specific work scope and rescue requirements.

Required PPE and Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

• Full-Body Harness: Use a properly fitted full-body harness for all fall arrest applications. The harness must distribute fall arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders and must be compatible with the selected lanyard, lifeline, and anchorage system. Inspect before each use and remove from service if damaged or worn. [12] [15]
  • Adjust all straps snugly before climbing.
  • Verify the dorsal attachment point is centered between the shoulder blades.
  • Do not use body belts for fall arrest.
• Shock-Absorbing Lanyard or Self-Retracting Lifeline: Wear a compatible connecting device selected for the task, fall distance, and anchor location. The device must be rated for the intended use and protected from sharp edges, heat, flame, and corrosive substances. Use only manufacturer-approved combinations of components. [14] [8]
  • Confirm connector compatibility before use.
  • Keep lifelines clear of abrasion points.
  • Do not connect incompatible devices together.
• Hard Hat with Chin Strap Where Needed: Wear head protection suitable for overhead work and dropped object exposure. A chin strap should be used where there is a risk of the helmet being dislodged by wind, movement, or rescue activity. Ensure the hard hat is in good condition and properly adjusted. [13]
  • Select a helmet suitable for the work environment.
  • Replace cracked, dented, or impact-damaged helmets.
  • Keep the chin strap fastened when required by site conditions.
• High-Visibility Apparel: Wear high-visibility clothing to improve worker visibility to equipment operators, spotters, and other personnel working below or nearby. This is especially important where mobile equipment, rescue operations, or traffic exposure may be present. [3]
  • Use garments that remain visible in low light or poor weather.
  • Keep apparel clean and free of damage that reduces visibility.
  • Coordinate color/reflective requirements with site rules.
• Safety Footwear: Wear slip-resistant safety footwear with adequate ankle support and toe protection appropriate to the surface conditions. Footwear should provide traction on ladders, scaffold platforms, roofs, and access routes, and should be maintained free of mud, oil, or debris. [3]
  • Use slip-resistant soles for ladder and scaffold access.
  • Inspect soles for wear that reduces traction.
  • Select footwear compatible with site hazards and weather.
• Gloves and Eye Protection: Use gloves and eye protection suited to the task to reduce hand injuries from sharp edges, hardware, and rigging, and to protect against dust, debris, or impact during installation, inspection, or rescue activities. [3]
  • Choose gloves that preserve grip and dexterity.
  • Use impact-rated eye protection where debris may fall.
  • Replace damaged or contaminated PPE immediately.

Tools and Equipment

• Portable Ladder: Use only ladders that are suitable for the task, properly rated, and inspected before use. Ladders must be set on stable footing, secured against movement where required, and used in accordance with safe access and three-point contact practices. Do not use damaged, slippery, or improperly positioned ladders. [10] [16]
  • Verify ladder condition before each shift.
  • Maintain proper angle and secure the top and bottom as needed.
  • Keep the ladder clear of electrical and overhead hazards.
• Scaffold or Supported Work Platform: Use scaffold systems only when erected, altered, inspected, and used by competent personnel. Ensure the platform is fully decked as required, access is safe, and fall protection and falling object protection are in place. Do not overload the scaffold or use makeshift extensions. [10] [13]
  • Inspect before each work shift.
  • Confirm guardrails, toe boards, and access are in place.
  • Keep materials organized to prevent dropped objects.
• Anchorage and Tie-Off Hardware: Use approved anchor points, connectors, and tie-off hardware that are suitable for the load, location, and rescue method. Anchor points must be evaluated before work begins and must be compatible with the fall protection system and any rescue procedure. [2] [14]
  • Use only approved structural attachment points.
  • Verify strength, stability, and location before tie-off.
  • Do not improvise anchors from pipes, vents, or non-structural members.
• Dropped Object Prevention Kit: Use tool lanyards, toe boards, debris nets, barricades, and secured storage containers to prevent tools, fasteners, and materials from falling to lower levels. All loose items should be tethered or contained before work begins. [13] [11]
  • Tether hand tools when working above others.
  • Install toe boards or equivalent edge protection where required.
  • Keep materials away from unprotected edges.
• Rescue Equipment and First-Aid Kit: Maintain rescue equipment and first-aid supplies on site and immediately accessible. Equipment should be selected for the specific rescue method, inspected before use, and stored so it can be deployed quickly in an emergency. [1] [2]
  • Include retrieval lines or lowering devices as applicable.
  • Keep first-aid supplies stocked and accessible.
  • Ensure rescue equipment is compatible with the anchor system and access method.

Hazard Analysis

Identified Hazards

Control Measures

• The plan should identify hazards, controls, equipment, rescue arrangements, and responsibilities for the specific task and location.: Implement a site-specific fall protection plan before work begins and review it with all affected workers. [5] [8]
• Where feasible, use guardrails, covers, barriers, travel restraint, or alternative access methods such as aerial lifts to reduce exposure.: Use the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce fall exposure before relying on personal fall arrest alone. [2] [11]
• Document inspections where required and ensure replacement equipment is available before work proceeds.: Inspect all fall protection, ladder, scaffold, and rescue equipment before each use and remove defective items from service immediately. [2] [14]
• Confirm strength, stability, location, and compatibility with the selected system; use manufacturer instructions and engineer certification where required.: Verify anchor points, tiebacks, and lifelines are engineered or otherwise approved for the intended load and rescue method. [2] [7]
• Define who initiates rescue, how communication occurs, what equipment is used, and how the worker will be retrieved quickly to prevent suspension trauma.: Establish a prompt rescue procedure that does not rely solely on external emergency services. [1] [7]
• Secure all tools and loose materials before work starts and maintain exclusion zones below the work area.: Provide dropped object controls such as toe boards, debris nets, tool lanyards, barricades, and controlled storage of materials. [13] [11]
• Reassess conditions before work begins and continuously during the task; suspend work for wind, ice, unstable ground, electrical hazards, or other unsafe conditions.: Stop work when weather, ground conditions, or site changes increase risk beyond the controls in place. [3] [16]

Emergency Procedures

Emergency Contact Information

• Site Emergency: Site emergency response number or radio channel to be inserted by the site. [1] [6]
• First Aid: On-site first aid attendant contact details to be inserted by the site. [1]
• Supervisor: Supervisor contact details to be inserted by the site. [7]

Emergency Response Steps

1. Stop work immediately, alert nearby workers, and initiate the site rescue communication protocol without delay. [7]
2. Dispatch the designated rescue team and use the preplanned rescue method that is appropriate for the task, location, and access conditions. [2]
3. Provide first aid and medical care to the rescued or injured worker as soon as they are safely retrieved, and arrange immediate transport to the nearest hospital if required. [3] [9]
4. Keep all other workers and bystanders in a designated safe area, secure the scene, and prevent additional exposure to the original hazard. [9]
5. After the incident, inspect, remove from service, and discard or repair any fall protection or rescue equipment used, then investigate and update the rescue plan before resuming work. [9] [9]

Evacuation Routes

Use the primary access route identified for the work area, such as the designated ladder, stairway, scaffold access, or platform egress route. If the primary route is blocked or unsafe, use the secondary route identified in the site rescue plan. All emergency exits and access routes within the worksite, including roof and work area access, must be identified before work begins and kept clear for rescue and evacuation.

Proceed to the designated assembly point established by the site emergency plan and remain there until accounted for by the supervisor or emergency coordinator. [6] [6]

Required Permits and Certifications

• Permit to Work for working at heights, issued before the task begins and kept active for the duration of the work. [1]
• Competent person or qualified supervisor authorization for fall protection planning, inspection, and oversight. [12]
• Documented working-at-heights or fall protection training for all exposed workers and designated rescuers, including rescue drills and CPR/first aid where required. [7] [7]
• Inspection and, where applicable, engineering certification of anchor systems and fall protection equipment before use. [7]

Additional Safety Considerations

• Conduct a final pre-job review immediately before work begins to confirm that the rescue plan, hazards, and controls still match site conditions. [3]
• Ensure supervision is active and that workers are encouraged to report concerns about hazards, equipment, or rescue readiness before starting work. [2]
• Train workers and rescuers to recognize the signs and symptoms of suspension trauma and to respond immediately if a worker is suspended after a fall. [7]
• Review legal and jurisdictional requirements for rescue at heights, fall protection, and training before work begins, and update the plan whenever regulations or site conditions change. [3] [6]

Pre-Task Plan Verification

By signing below, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand this pre-task safety plan:

Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

Workers:

1. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________
2. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________
3. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________

This pre-task plan must be reviewed and updated if conditions or scope of work changes.

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