Prevention plan template

Drawing up a prevention plan is an essential step in ensuring the safety of operations involving several companies, particularly when there are risks associated with simultaneous activities. However, this essential document is often time-consuming to develop, varies from one site to another and is sometimes incomplete due to a lack of clear structure or shared standards. It is precisely to address these challenges that a well-designed prevention plan template becomes a real asset: it serves as a guide, ensures regulatory compliance and facilitates collaboration between all stakeholders.

In this article, you will find everything you need to build an operational, adaptable and compliant template: mandatory content, variable data to be included, recommended structure and annotated examples. The objective is simple: to provide you with a solid foundation for quickly producing reliable, readable and secure documents, while paving the way for modernised management thanks to tools such as those offered by Altsis.

Why use a prevention plan template?

Adopting a prevention plan template is the quickest way to improve efficiency and compliance. A structured template guides you step by step: you never start with a blank page and you reduce the risk of forgetting an essential detail (scope of work, risk analysis, electrical lockouts, coordination, approvals). The result: halved drafting time, consistent documents across sites, and enhanced traceability.

In terms of compliance, a good model aligns with the requirements of the french Labour Code (prevention plan in the event of simultaneous activities, particularly for hazardous work) and best practices in the electrical industry (lockout/tagout, authorisations, operating procedures).

It also facilitates stakeholder involvement (client, external contractors, local management) thanks to a clear division of roles and responsibilities and the definition of their terms of engagement.

Finally, it is an educational tool: it formalises the method, reinforces safety reflexes and serves as a reference during inspections and audits.

Mandatory and customisable content of a prevention plan

A model prevention plan must enable several elements to be reliably integrated.

Mandatory information in a prevention plan template 

The following elements are essential components of a prevention plan:

• Identification of parties: principal, user company, service providers (company name, SIRET number, representatives).
• Scope and nature of the work: precise description, location, interfaces with equipment, installations and devices in service (electrical, mechanical, fluid, etc.).
• Analysis of risks associated with simultaneous activities: collisions, falls, hazardous energies, fire/explosion, chemical risks, biological risks (pathogenic biological agents), ATEX, radiation, noise, handling, etc.
• Prevention and protection measures adopted: lockouts, PPE – Personal Protective Equipement, signage, locking/labelling, operating procedures, associated permits (fire, working at height, excavation, etc.).
• Organisation and coordination: roles, responsibilities, planning, access authorisations, subcontractor management.
• Required qualifications and skills (e.g. electrical qualifications in accordance with NFC 18-510 – french standard), training, medical aptitudes.
• Emergency procedures: alert, assistance, contacts, available resources.
• Control procedures: joint preliminary visits, inspections, removal of defects, final acceptance of works.
• Signatures and validations: effective date, duration, updates.

Contextual data to be customised

In addition to the mandatory information, it is also necessary to customise other elements:

• Names of companies and stakeholders, contact details, site and area concerned
• Dates and time slots for intervention
• Affected equipment
• Reference documents (plans, single-line electrical diagrams, ATEX (EXplosive ATmosphere) analyses, safety data sheets)
• Specific inventory of energy sources and interfaces (HTA/BT, automation systems, multi-energy logbooks).

Standard structure of an effective prevention plan template

An effective model is based first and foremost on a simple, clear and consistent structure.

The typical structure of a prevention plan template

Here is a robust framework that covers the essentials and defines the phases without making it difficult to read:

1. Context & scope

Purpose of the plan, stakeholders, description of the work, list of operations to be carried out, location, interfaces (live installations, ATEX zones, local production, robots, networks).

2. References & requirements

Applicable regulations, internal standards, plans/diagrams, required permits, site instructions, waste management.

3. Coactivity risk analysis

Hazards, scenarios, risk levels, interactions (simultaneous presence of teams, machinery, lifting, energy), existing measures.

4. Risk prevention measures & protection

Lockouts (electrical, mechanical, fluid), lockout/tagout, marking, CPE – Collective Protective Equipment/PPE – Personal Protective Equipment, ventilation, detection, permits (fire, height).

5. Organisation & coordination

Roles (principal, site manager, lockout officer, site foreman), planning, coactivity (sequencing, time slots), contingency management.

6. Skills and qualifications

Electrical certifications by position (e.g. B0/H0, B1/B1V, B2/B2V, BR/BC/HC), CACES – Certificate of Aptitude for Safe Driving/driving licence, ATEX training, SST – Workplace First Aid (french certifications).

7. Emergency procedures

Means of alert, numbers, assembly points, evacuation, emergency instructions, on-call duty.

8. Inspections, visits & receptions

Joint preliminary visit, checklists, raising of points, testing, acceptance, completion of works, updating of documentation.

9. Traceability & archiving

Versions, distribution, retention period, feedback.

10. Validation

Signatures (with possible delegation of signature authority), effective dates, appendices (plans, diagrams, lists of recorded equipment).

Suggested formats for a prevention plan template

Several formats are possible. Preference should be given to formats that are readable and easy to maintain:

• Table for risk matrices and action plans (readability, monitoring).
• Structured text for context and references (clarity).
• Form for variable data (companies, dates, areas, authorisations) to automate generation and ensure completeness.

 Depending on the format chosen (Word or Excel prevention plan template), it may also be distributed as a PDF template for greater convenience.

Commented example – Work on a HV/LV transformer

1 Purpose and scope of the intervention

Excerpt from the plan:

The work involves replacing the high-voltage switch located in the public distribution substation “Substation No. 214 – Rue des Acacias”.

The transformer concerned is a 250 kVA – 20 kV / 400 V transformer in a masonry substation owned by the network operator. The work involves completely disconnecting the incoming cell and securing the transformer cell.

Comment: This paragraph must be precise in order to remove any ambiguity regarding the installation and the work area. On a high-voltage substation, the electrical limits and the equipment concerned must be clearly identified: incoming cell, low-voltage outgoing cell, transformer, any auxiliary services.

2 Identification of companies

Excerpt from the plan:

Contracting authority/Network manager: Réseau Énergies Atlantique – Operations Department.

Contracting company: TechElec Services – high-voltage works team.

HTA-authorised practitioners:

– Team leader: Mr Lefort (H2V – HC – BR)
– Works technician: Ms Roussel (H1V – B2V)

Comment: Identification must specify the role and level of authorisation, which is essential in HTA. Lack of appropriate authorisation is grounds for refusing access to the post.

3. Analysis of risks specific to the HV/LV transformer

Excerpt from the plan:

• High-voltage electrical energy: risk of electric arc, induction, presence of exposed parts in the cell.
• BT under residual voltage: risk of energy feedback from local production or sensitive customers.
• Shunting manoeuvre: mechanical risk (springs, locks), arc propagation.
• Confined cabin atmosphere: heat, poor ventilation.
• Potential co-activity: telecom operators at the front of the building.

Comment: The analysis must cover hazardous energies, network interfaces, decentralised generation (PV, generators), substation topology and interactions with third parties.

4. Prevention and protection measures

Excerpt from the plan:

• Complete HTA recording of the arrival cell:
  • opening of the upstream disconnector,
  • mechanical lock + padlock,
  • installation of no-manoeuvre labels,
  • grounding and short-circuiting on the supply side,
  • Verification of absence of high voltage using an approved detector.
• Low voltage safety: general low voltage cut-off + voltage absence check.
• Signage for the post: electrical hazard signs, restricted area signs.
• Mandatory PPE: Class 2 arc flash clothing, suitable category insulating gloves, face shield.
• Ventilation of the cabin, previously opened for 10 minutes.

Comment: The HV sequence (opening, locking, VAT – Verification of Absence of Voltage, MALT/CC – Earthing and Short-Circuiting) must be exhaustive, without approximation. The use of PPE is essential in HV environments.

5. Organisation and coordination

Excerpt from the plan:

• Work scheduled for 14/03 between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
• No other companies authorised in the area during the intervention window.
• Network coordination provided by the DSO operations manager (remote position).
• Dedicated radio communication between field team and supervision.

Comment: Simultaneous operation is prohibited in a high-voltage substation during works. Coordination with network supervision is essential, particularly for manoeuvres and monitoring of the section.

6. Emergency procedures

Excerpt from the plan:

• In the event of an electrical incident, immediately stop work and leave the area.
• Supervision/remote control number: XX.XX.XX.XX.
• Nearest fire station: Fire station – 1 km.
• Mandatory presence of an SST in the team.
• Defibrillator nearby (town hall – 200 metres).

Comment: Procedures must be contextual: emergency access, workstation constraints, direct numbers, immediate actions.

7. Checks, preliminary visits and acceptance

Excerpt from the plan:

• Joint preliminary visit carried out on 12/03, with list of discrepancies (discrepancy no. 3: blocked ventilation → corrected).
• HTA consignment checklist completed and validated.
• Final tests performed: LV continuity, absence of HV faults, supervision synchronisation OK.
• Commissioning approved by the operations manager.

Comment: The preliminary visit allows dangerous areas to be identified: cluttered premises, inadequate ventilation, obstructed manoeuvres, etc.

8. Plan validation

Excerpt from the plan:

Plan approved version 1.3.

Signatures: xxxx

Appendices:

Comment: Validation ensures that all parties are aware of and accept the scope and security rules.

Customisation according to site type, intervention or risk

A prevention plan template must remain adaptable.

Variation depending on the type of site or intervention

• Industrial sites: integrating process risks (pressure, temperature, chemicals), ATEX (zoning, certified equipment), multi-energy lockouts (electricity, steam, air, hydrogen), specific permits (fire, confined space entry), vehicle traffic plan.
• Tertiary & hospital sector: continuity of service, patient/public constraints, limited working hours, noise and dust control, coordination with safety/fire services.
• Networks & energy (HV/LV, photovoltaic, EVCI – Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure): upstream/downstream consignments, up-to-date single-line diagrams, management of multiple sources (PV – Photovoltaic, GE – Generator), electrical influence zones, enhanced authorisations (H1V/H2V/HC), road marking and DICT – Declaration of Intent to Commence Work.

Variants according to the type of risk:

• Dense coactivity: organise intervention windows, single conductor, daily briefing (5 minutes safety).
• Chemical risks: SDS – Safety Data Sheet, ventilation, detection, shower/eyewash, specific PPE, controlled atmosphere work permit.
• Electrical hazards: formalised lockout/tagout procedure, arc flash PPE, barrier installation, lockout certification, authorisation register.

Digitisation and automatic generation of prevention plans

Digitisation transforms the prevention plan into a seamless process: smart forms, mandatory fields, hazard/measure libraries, versioned appendices, electronic signatures, audit logs (who does what, when), and multi-site dashboards (completion rates, deadline reminders, follow-ups). Templates come to life: centralised updates, controlled distribution, GDPR traceability, and document compliance.

The Pégase solution, which includes prevention plan software, offered by Altsis allows you to create, store, monitor, and track prevention plans:

• Drafting based on a customisable template (sites, contributors, authorisations).
• Approval workflows and version history.
• Possible connectors including georeferencing and HR software to avoid double entries.

The prevention plan template as a reference framework

A well-designed prevention plan template provides a structured foundation: it speeds up the drafting process, enhances safety and facilitates compliance. By combining it with a digital solution such as Altsis‘ Pégase, you can transform a static document into a controlled, traceable and scalable process that promotes the safety of field workers.