How long does an SSSP take to prepare?
Writing an SSSP yourself or filling in a template typically takes a few hours if you already know your hazards, and a day or more if you are researching as you go. A consultant works in days, set by their diary. A generated SSSP takes about ten minutes of questionnaire plus a few minutes of delivery. The time sink in every method is the site-specific content, not the formatting.
Where the hours actually go
The structure of an SSSP is settled and quick. What takes time is the content that makes it site-specific: identifying the hazards of your work on that site, writing controls in the order reg 6 of the 2016 Regulations requires, preparing task analyses for the higher-risk tasks, and an emergency plan that matches the real site. That is also exactly the content a main contractor reads first.
Typical times by method
- •Writing from scratch with WorkSafe guidance: several hours to a full day, more if the regulations are new to you
- •Filling in Site Safe forms or a downloaded template: two to four focused hours if you know your hazards, longer if not
- •A safety consultant: days, driven by their availability rather than the writing itself
- •A generated SSSP: about ten minutes of answering questions, delivery in minutes, plus the review you should give any document before handing it over
The deadline scenario
The common crunch: the main contractor asks for your SSSP on Friday and the job starts Monday. That is the scenario where the do-it-yourself estimate matters, because a rushed template job with a generic hazard register gets rejected, and the rejection cycle costs more days than the original writing would have. If the deadline is real, use a method that produces site-specific content fast, then spend your remaining time reviewing it with the crew.
Common questions
Can I write an SSSP in one evening?
If you know your trade’s hazards and the site, and you are working from a good structure, yes, a focused evening can produce a solid SSSP. What does not work in one evening is learning the regulations, writing the plan, and getting it reviewed all at once.
How long before the job should I send the SSSP?
Ask the main contractor, but two or three working days before the start is a sensible minimum: it leaves time for their review and one round of changes without moving the start date.
Does a generated SSSP still need my time?
Yes, two kinds: accurate answers to the questionnaire, and a read-through with your crew before the job. The generation replaces the writing, not the responsibility.
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