The Definition of Accident Prevention Plan (APP)

Definition of Accident Prevention Plan (APP)

An accident prevention plan (APP) is a written, project-specific safety program that describes how a contractor will manage safety and health on a job, including who is responsible for what, how hazards will be analyzed and controlled, required training, inspections, emergency procedures and incident reporting. APPs are required on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and many other federal construction contracts under the USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1, and Washington State requires construction employers to maintain a written APP under WAC 296-155-110.

Key Facts About Accident Prevention Plans

• An APP is site and project specific, unlike a company-wide safety manual.
• On USACE projects, the APP is submitted for government acceptance before work begins and is supported by Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) for each phase of work.
• It typically incorporates site-specific plans such as fall protection, excavation, crane lift and hazard communication plans.
• The APP is a living document and should be updated when scope, subcontractors or site conditions change.

Example of an Accident Prevention Plan

Before mobilizing on a federal dam rehabilitation project, a general contractor submits its APP, along with site-specific fall protection and crane plans and activity hazard analyses for each work phase, to the government's safety office. Work starts only after the plan is accepted and reviewed with all subcontractor foremen.

What an Accident Prevention Plan Includes

• Company safety policy, signatures and lines of responsibility
• Project description and an overview of expected hazards
• Training, qualification and competent person requirements
• Subcontractor and contractor safety management
• Inspection and audit schedules
• Emergency response, medical support and evacuation procedures
• Incident reporting and accident investigation procedures
• Site-specific plans for high-risk work, such as a lift plan

Related Terms

• Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
• Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
• Jobsite Safety
• Competent Person

Frequently Asked Questions: Accident Prevention Plan

How is an APP different from an Injury and Illness Prevention Program?

An IIPP is a company-wide program that sets out how the employer finds and fixes hazards everywhere it works, while an APP applies that approach to one specific project, with its own hazards, people, schedule and emergency arrangements.

Who prepares the accident prevention plan?

The contractor prepares it, usually led by a qualified safety professional working with the project manager and superintendent. It should be signed by company leadership to show management commitment.

Is an APP required on private projects?

Outside federal contracts and states such as Washington, an APP is not always legally required, but many owners and general contractors require one in their contract terms, and it is a recognized best practice for any construction project.