Approval of the Health and Safety Plan: Why It’s a Mandatory Step for Your Construction Project
One of the most important procedures before starting a construction project—although often overlooked—is the approval of the Health and Safety Plan. This document is key to ensuring that the work is carried out with all the necessary preventive measures, both for workers and for anyone who may be affected by the project. Want to know why it’s necessary? Keep reading…
WHAT IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN?
The Health and Safety Plan is a technical document that develops and adapts the Health and Safety Study included in the project, tailoring it to the specific execution conditions of the work. It outlines all foreseeable risks during construction, as well as the necessary prevention, protection, and control measures to eliminate or reduce them.
The plan includes aspects such as:
• Risks associated with the planned work
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Site signage
• Emergency procedures
• Access and circulation rules on site
This document must be fully defined before any physical work begins on site. If you want to know the difference between a Study and a Health and Safety Plan, check out our post on the topic.
WHO DRAFTS THE SAFETY PLAN?
The main contractor of the project—meaning the construction company carrying out the work—is responsible for drafting the Health and Safety Plan. This company must adapt the Safety Study or Basic Safety Study (previously prepared by the architect or the coordinator during the project phase) to the actual construction process, the machinery used, the work methods, and the personnel involved.
The responsibility for accurately detailing the preventive measures lies with the builder, who has first-hand knowledge of how the project will be organized.
WHO APPROVES THE PLAN AND WHEN SHOULD IT BE DONE?
Once drafted, the Plan must be approved by the Health and Safety Coordinator in the construction phase, a technician specifically appointed for this role—typically a technical architect or specialized engineer.
Approval must be obtained before the project starts, as no work can begin without an approved plan. This is a legal requirement established under the Occupational Risk Prevention Law and Royal Decree 1627/1997.
Moreover, in many municipalities—including Marbella, Estepona, and Mijas—the City Council may request proof of approval as part of the project start documentation or for random inspections.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PLAN IS NOT APPROVED BEFORE STARTING?
Starting construction without an approved Health and Safety Plan constitutes a serious violation. This can lead to financial penalties, project stoppage, and legal liability in the event of an accident.
Additionally, during inspections by labor or urban planning authorities, the developer could face issues if they cannot prove that the plan is approved and in force. That’s why it’s crucial to handle this process properly and in advance.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE ARCHITECT PLAY IN THIS PROCESS?
They are indirectly involved in this process, as part of the project’s technical management team. While they don’t directly approve the plan, they work with the Health and Safety Coordinator to ensure that its contents align with the project and can be safely executed.
They also advise the developer throughout the process—from appointing the coordinator to submitting the plan and checking its approval—something especially important in self-built projects or for first-time developers.
If you're starting a construction project in Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, or Sotogrande, make sure you have a technical team overseeing the entire process from the beginning. This includes the support of an architect who coordinates all parties involved and ensures that documentation—such as the Health and Safety Plan—is approved and compliant.
At Munoz Barcia Architects, we’d be happy to answer any questions—feel free to contact us without obligation.
Hello I am Javier Muñoz Fuentes, Architect registered 1856 COA Málaga. Let me know how may I be of assistance…You will find me calling at + 34 654 00 11 69
Hello I am Crisanto Barcia Garcia, Architect registered 1501 COA Málaga. If you have any further question about this post, do not hesitate to call me at +34 678 478 993
