Sample Safety Program
Stop Work Authority
Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide an outline of the site and project “stop work
authority” for employees, contractors, and visitors.
Scope
This procedure describes the company’s “stop work authority” program.
Application
This procedure applies to all (Insert Company Name) employees, contractors, subcontractors,
and visitors.
Policy and Program Overview
This program formally establishes the Stop Work Authority (SWA) of all (Insert Company Name)
employees and contractors to stop individual work or group operations when the control of
health and safety risk is not clearly established or understood.
It is the policy of (Insert Company Name) that:
All employees and their contractors have the power and are expected to stop any work
in the operation where concerns or questions regarding the control of health and safety
risks exist.
No work will start again until all stop-work issues have been adequately addressed.
Any form of retaliation or intimidation directed at any employee or the company for
carrying out their authority as explained in this program will not be tolerated.
As with all policies, accountability for non-compliance will follow established disciplinary
procedures.
Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Company Employees and Contractors
Responsible for initiating a “stop work” when necessary.
Support the intervention of others.
Properly report all “stop work” actions.
Foreman and Supervisors
Responsible for promoting a culture where stop work authority is exercised openly.
Honor any request for “stop work”.
Resolve issues before work activity resumes.
Recognize those participating and ensure all “stop work” actions are properly reported
with necessary follow-up completed.
Site Managers
Establish a clear expectation to exercise stop work authority.
Promote a culture where stop work authority is freely exercised.
Resolve SWA conflicts when they arise.
Hold anyone accountable who chooses not to comply with established stop-work
authority policies.
Management
Responsible for compliance monitoring with the requirements of this program.
Maintenance of documentation, processes, and training materials, identification of
trends, and sharing of lessons learned.
Intervention Protocol
In general terms, the stop work authority procedure is an intervention to stop, make others
aware, alter, and resume approach for the resolution of perceived unsafe work actions or
conditions.
Much like behavior-based safety processes, a workforce that clearly understands how to
initiate, receive, and respond to a “stop work” intervention is more likely to participate.
Though obvious to some, the following protocol creates an environment where people know
how to act and respond.
Though situations may differ, the following steps should be the framework for all stop-
work interventions.
Protocol Instruction
Steps
1. When a person identifies an unsafe act, condition, error, omission, or lack of
understanding that could result in an undesirable event, a “stop work” intervention will
be immediately initiated with the person(s) potentially at risk.
2. If the supervisor is readily available and the affected person(s) are not at immediate risk,
the “stop work action” should be coordinated through the supervisor. If the supervisor
is not readily available or the affected person(s) are at immediate risk, the “stop work”
intervention should be initiated directly with those at risk.
3. “Stop work” interventions should be initiated positively by briefly introducing yourself
and starting a conversation with the phrase “I am using my stop work authority
because…” Using this phrase will clarify the users’ intent and set expectations as
detailed in this procedure.
4. Notify all affected personnel and supervision of the stop work issue. If necessary, stop
associated work activities, remove person(s) from the area, stabilize the situation,
and make the area as safe as possible.
5. All parties will discuss and gain agreement on the stop-work issue.
6. If it is determined and agreed that the task or operation is OK to proceed as is (i.e., the
stop work initiator was unaware of certain facts or procedures) the affected persons
should thank the initiator for their concern and proceed with the work.
7. If determined and agreed that the stop work issue is valid, then every attempt should be
made to resolve the issue to all affected person’s satisfaction before the
commencement of work.
8. If the stop-work issue cannot be resolved immediately, work shall be suspended until
proper resolution is achieved. When opinions differ regarding the validity of the stop
work issue or adequacy of the resolution actions, the Site Manager will make the final
determination.
9. Positive feedback should be given to all affected employees regarding the resolution of
the stop-work issue. Under no circumstances should retribution be directed at any
person(s) who exercise in good faith their stop work authority as detailed in this
program.
10. All stop-work interventions and associated details will be documented and reported as
detailed in this program.
Reporting
All “stop work” interventions exercised under the authority of this program will be
documented in the (Insert Company Name) Incident Investigation Report.
“Stop Work” reports will be reviewed by line supervision to:
Measure participation.
Determine the quality of interventions and follow-up.
Trend common issues and identify opportunities for improvement.
Facilitate sharing of lessons learned.
Feed recognition programs.
The health and safety department (Safety Director’s name) will regularly publish incident
details regarding the number of “stop work” actions reported by location as well as details
regarding common trends and lessons learned.
Follow-Up
The outcome desired of any “stop work” intervention is that the identified safety concerns are
addressed, satisfying all involved persons before resuming work. Most issues can be resolved
adequately in a timely fashion on the job site. However, occasionally additional investigation
and corrective actions may be necessary to identify and address root causes.
“Stop Work” interventions that require additional investigation or follow-up will be handled
utilizing existing protocols and procedures for incident investigation and follow-up.
Recognition
To build and reinforce a culture in which SWA is freely exercised and accepted, line supervisors
are encouraged to positively recognize employee and contractor participation in the program.
Each line supervisor should informally recognize individuals when they exercise their authority
to “stop work” or demonstrate constructive participation in a “stop work” intervention. This
informal recognition needs to be no more than an expression of appreciation for a job well
done or the awarding of a nominal item (hat, gloves, flashlight, etc.) or
recognition. Additionally, formal recognition of selected examples of “stop work” interventions
should be made during regularly scheduled safety meetings.
Training
Training regarding this SWA Policy and Program will be conducted as part of all new employee
and contractor orientations. Additionally, a review of the SWA Policy will be completed as part
of all field location safety briefings and regular safety meetings.
Documentation of all training and reviews will be maintained per established procedures.
Stop Work Authority cards can be obtained by contacting (Name of safety director).
Insert Company Name
Stop Work Authority Program Acknowledgement
I, _________________________________ have received training on the risks and controls
associated with Stop Work Authority and I have asked and received clarification on all questions
regarding this risk.
I, _________________________________ understand that following the proper procedures
required by Stop Work Authority is my responsibility and I am accountable for adhering to
these procedures. I understand that my failure to do so may result in disciplinary actions, up to,
and including, termination.
_______________________________________________________ _____________
Employee Signature Date
_______________________________________________________ _____________
Supervisor’s Signature Date
