What it means
A pre-task plan is a quick plan the crew makes at the start of the day or the start of a task. It names the work, the hazards, the controls and the people involved. It usually fits on one page or one phone screen.
It's lighter than a full job safety analysis. Many sites use a pre-task plan for routine work and a longer analysis for jobs that are new, complex or high risk.
Its value is the conversation. The paper just shows the conversation happened.
Why it matters
Conditions change from day to day. Overhead work moves, another trade shows up, the weather turns. A pre-task plan makes the crew look at today's job, not yesterday's.
What it looks like on a site
- The foreman fills it out with the crew before the first task, not after.
- It lists today's tasks, the hazards that go with them and the controls the crew will use.
- It asks about nearby work from other crews, weather and who has stop work authority.
- Everyone on the crew signs it.
- If the task changes mid-shift, the crew stops and updates the plan.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and your own procedures. Back to the glossary