ASSP update focuses on pre-project and pre-task planning
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has introduced an updated voluntary consensus standard designed to elevate safety practices on construction and demolition sites, which remain some of the most hazardous workplaces in the industry. The revised standard, ANSI/ASSP A10.1-2024, places a greater emphasis on comprehensive pre-project and pre-task safety planning, aiming to set new benchmarks for preventing injuries and incidents on construction projects of all sizes.
The update comes at a critical time, as stakeholders across the construction industry look for innovative strategies to address long-standing safety challenges. The new standard is poised to make a significant impact by emphasizing proactive measures, including the use of leading indicators and integrating safety considerations into the earliest stages of project design.
Wesley Wheeler, executive director of safety at the National Electrical Contractors Association and Chair of the A10 subcommittee, says this update aligns with ASSP’s commitment to improving safety outcomes. “The planning process, the pre-planning process, has been so important over the years to make sure that you’ve got everything covered,” Wheeler says. He emphasizes that effective safety planning helps prevent projects from spiraling out of control. “If you go into a project unknowingly and without the thought process of what it’s going to take to complete, you can get yourself in over your head.”
The A10.1-2024 standard encourages construction owners and contractors to integrate safety management early, detailing elements such as workforce training, allocation of safety resources, and clear reporting on safety practices. The document is built to be adaptable, offering practical guidance that is useful for both small and large construction firms. “We’ve tried to make this as universal as possible… whether it’s a homeowner and a small general contractor or a large general contractor in the utility industry,” says Wheeler.
Emphasis on leading indicators
A notable component of the revised standard is the inclusion of leading indicators—metrics that help organizations anticipate and prevent incidents before they occur. Traditionally, construction firms have relied on lagging indicators, such as incident rates, to evaluate safety performance. Wheeler argues that forward-thinking measures are essential for modern safety management. “Something as simple as how many hazard recognitions have been conducted or noticed by employees, or how engaged senior leaders are in the safety process, can have a significant impact,” he says.
The standard outlines that management engagement, like site visits conducted by project managers or company executives, can serve as a crucial leading indicator of safety culture. “One of the biggest challenges we have is ensuring that our upper-level management is involved in the safety process,” Wheeler notes. By having leaders visibly participate in safety activities, companies can create a culture where safety is prioritized across all levels of the organization.
Technology integration
In today’s rapidly evolving construction landscape, technology is transforming how safety data is collected and analyzed. The A10.1-2024 standard acknowledges this shift by providing guidance that accommodates both low-tech and high-tech approaches. Wheeler points out that while smaller companies may continue to use paper-based systems, larger firms have the option to incorporate advanced technologies, such as fleet management software and digital safety audits, to drive efficiency. “We’re getting away from the paper,” he says. “Companies can translate this into a format they can access online or on a smart device.”
For larger organizations, technology can also play a crucial role in behavior modification and risk management. Wheeler cites the example of fleet management systems that reduce on-the-road incidents by tracking driver habits and using forward-facing cameras. Such tools provide actionable data that, when analyzed properly, can prevent accidents and lower associated costs.
Prevention through design
Another key advancement in the updated standard is the focus on “prevention through design.” This concept encourages engineers and project planners to embed safety features directly into the design phase, ensuring that construction sites are inherently safer. Wheeler describes how this forward-thinking approach can make a lasting impact. “Let’s design the project so that it’s inherently safe,” he says, highlighting examples like integrating safe anchor points for workers at height. “What’s going to be there in the future that’s going to assist people in working safely?” he asks.
Worker participation and inclusivity
The new standard also calls for greater worker participation in safety planning, a move Wheeler believes will enhance on-the-ground safety practices. He underscores the value of drawing insights from experienced workers. “If you let the people that know what they’re doing do what they know how to do, the job will go a lot smoother,” he says. By involving workers in the planning phase, companies can tap into practical expertise that might otherwise be overlooked.
While ANSI/ASSP A10.1-2024 remains a voluntary standard, Wheeler is optimistic about its adoption and impact. “Companies that actually plan their work and work their plan are more successful,” he asserts. Although compliance is not mandatory, he believes that the industry’s collective commitment to consensus-based safety standards will drive meaningful improvements in worker protection.
As construction projects continue to evolve, this updated standard provides a robust framework to help companies prioritize safety from day one. By integrating proactive measures, leading indicators, and worker feedback, the revised standard offers a comprehensive approach to mitigating risk and protecting workers.
