J. J. Keller® SAFETY MANAGEMENT SUITE offers 125+ pre-written safety plan templates to help you comply with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and more. Just choose a topic, fill out the form, and you’ll have a comprehensive written plan customized for your business in minutes.
Experience an Easier Way to Manage Safety Plans & Policies
-
-
Expansive Selection
Browse a wide range of safety plan templates covering topics in workplace safety, construction, environmental compliance, and more.
-
-
Effortless Compliance
Our pre-written templates fulfill all requirements from OSHA and other regulatory agencies, so you can rest assured that you’re compliant.
-
-
Simple Document Management
Easily upload existing plans and policies and share frequently referenced templates with others in your organization.
-
-
Complete Oversight
Manage roles and permissions to control who can view and maintain your written plans.
WRITING YOUR SAFETY PLANS HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER!
- GET FREE SAFETY PLANS
J. J. Keller Keeps Us Updated
When asked by outside auditors how we keep updated on environmental issues, we just tell them J. J. Keller keeps us updated. Safety Management Suite offers what we need and the staff is very helpful. The SDS section and Plans and Policies are especially helpful. Try it, you will like it.
Joel Cerny
Training and EHS Coordinator
CAMACO
Columbus, NE
What Is a Written Safety Plan and Why It Matters
A written safety plan—also known as a safety program or written plan—is a documented strategy outlining how a workplace protects employees from health and safety hazards. These plans are essential for regulatory compliance, risk management, and fostering a culture of safety. Unlike step-by-step safety procedures or overarching safety policies, written safety plans provide a comprehensive framework that may include all three elements.
Key Benefits of Written Safety Plans:
- Ensure OSHA compliance and meet regulatory requirements
- Define safety roles, responsibilities, and expectations
- Reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and associated costs
- Lower insurance premiums and MOD rates
- Demonstrate management’s commitment to safety
- Improve operational efficiency and profitability
- Provide a foundation for disciplinary actions and standard procedures
Scope of Written Safety Plans:
OSHA mandates written safety plans for various hazards and operations. The scope of each plan depends on the applicable OSHA standards. Employers should review relevant regulations to determine if a written plan is required for their specific workplace conditions.
Required General Industry OSHA Written Plans:
The following general industry written plans are required by OSHA if the specific regulation applies.
*The above list is only the plans that OSHA requires to be in writing. There are additional regulations which require employers to have plans or programs, but OSHA doesn't specifically require them to be in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
A safety plan is a written document that explains how a workplace protects employees from safety or health hazards. It outlines the measures an establishment uses to maintain a safe and healthful environment for its workers.
Written safety plans, also called programs, serve as formal records of an organization’s safety efforts. The terms “plan” and “program” are often used interchangeably, as both describe how a facility documents and implements actions to keep employees safe and healthy.
Yes, OSHA requires written safety plans for certain situations, but not all apply to every workplace. There are over 35 written plan, program, procedure, or manual requirements in OSHA 29 CFR 1910 for general industry, along with more than 20 additional requirements in 29 CFR 1926 for construction.
However, not every requirement applies to every establishment. Employers should review each applicable standard individually to determine which written plans are required for their specific operations.
Yes, small companies must have written safety plans if the applicable OSHA regulations require them. The obligation to create a written plan depends on the specific regulation, not the number of employees in the organization.
There is no blanket exemption for small employers, and OSHA does not set a general employee threshold for written safety plan requirements. If a regulation applies to a workplace, the employer must develop the required written plan regardless of company size.
Yes, OSHA allows written safety plans to be kept in either paper or electronic format, as long as they meet all applicable standard requirements. The key requirement is that the plans remain accessible and compliant regardless of format.
If an OSHA standard requires employee access, you must ensure:
- Employees know how to access the electronic document
- There are no barriers preventing access
You should also consider how electronic plans will be shared during an OSHA inspection. Providing a printed copy to an inspector is generally acceptable if needed.
A safety plan should include the specific elements required by the OSHA regulation that applies to it. The content is not the same for every plan, because each requirement depends on the particular standard involved.
For some OSHA regulations, the agency clearly outlines the elements that must be included in the written plan or program. In other cases, OSHA requires a written plan but does not specify exact elements, so the content must still align with the applicable regulatory requirement.
No, OSHA does not require written safety plans to be translated into other languages. However, plans should be provided in a language that employees can understand so they can follow the procedures safely and effectively.
If employees do not read English, translating the plans is recommended and may be especially important for certain procedures, such as lockout/tagout. The goal is to ensure that all employees can clearly understand and apply the safety program.
Yes, you can use a template to create a safety plan, but it must be customized to your specific workplace. The final plan needs to accurately reflect your operations, employees, and hazards.
Templates can help structure your plan, but they should not be used as-is. You must tailor the content so it aligns with your actual work site conditions and addresses the specific risks present in your environment.
