THE SAFETY BUDGET

How much is the appropriate safety budget for a construction project? The safety budget for your construction
project should be a percentage of the estimated construction cost (ECC).

Construction costs include but are not limited to:

Land acquisition, including assembly, holding and improvement
Planning and feasibility studies
Architectural and Engineering design
Attorney services
Permits, Licenses, and Inspections
Bonds, Insurance and taxes during construction
Construction financing
Construction, including materials, equipment and labor
Equipment and furnishings not included in construction
Field supervision of construction
Owner's general office overhead

For large construction project with longer duration, the safety budget (excluding management fees) can be 1.5% since
some items can be repetitively used. For smaller short term projects the budget can be as high as 3%. That’s works out to
as much as $30,000 per million ECC. Safety Management fees will run between $125 to 175 per hour. Most important is
how the budget is allocated. The safety budget should be broke down in detail so that the safety budget can be used to
check whether the safety plan is being properly implemented and managed. This issue is important because many project
managers and clients tried not to spend on safety expenses for increasing their profits.

The cost for safety cannot be avoided. You either pay for it up front or you pay more for it later.

Line items to consider when developing your safety budget may include the following:

ADMININSTRATION
Safety Manager
Site Safety Representatives
Site Office / Trailer
Desk
Table
File Cabinet, 4 drawer
Book Case
Storage Cabinet
Copy Machine
Fax Machine, Plain Paper
Telephone Answering Machine
Cork Boards
Dry Erase Board
Computer, Scanner, Printer & Projector
Software
Office Supplies
Manuals, Handbooks
Awards & Incentives
Required Labor & OSHA Posters (FED & ST)
1
HOUSEKEEPING & SANITATION
Portable Toilets
Hand Cleaning Stations
Dumpsters
Laborers
Disposable, Consumables

EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Orientation
Hazard Communication
Respiratory Protection
Hearing Conservation
Fire Extinguisher
Substance Abuse

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Industrial Hygienist
Monitoring & Sampling Equipment

MEDICAL, ON SITE
First Aid Office / Trailer
Nurse
Supplies, Materials, & Equipment

MEDICAL, OFF SITE

Consulting Physician
Pre employment exams & Drug Testing
Fitness For Duty Exams
Post Injury Drug Testing
Radom Drug Testing
Respirator Fit Testing

ENVIRONMENTAL
Monitoring, Sampling & Testing
Hazwoper
Hazard abatement (Asbestos, Lead, ectera)

EMERGENCY & DISASTER PLANNING

Evacuation
Relocation

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EQUIPMENT
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguisher Stands
Air Sampling Analyzer
Explosive Gas Meter
Light Meter
Sound Level Meter
GFCI Receptacle Tester
Voltage / Continuity Tester
Soil Pentrometer
Digital Camera
Video Camera
Audio Recorder
DVD/VCR Player
35"Televison w/ 5' cart
Measuring Wheel
25' Tape Measure
100' Tape Measure
Two Way Radios
Flashlight / Baton
Traffic Cones 28" or 36" w/ reflective collar
Barricade, "A" Frame, Type II
2" X 4" X 12'
1" X 6" X 12'
4" X 4" X 8'
3/4" X 4' x 8' Plywood
Barricade Tape, Yellow, "CAUTION"
Barricade Tape, Red, "DO NOT ENTER"
Blank Sign, "DANGER"
Blank Sign, "WARNING"
Blank Sign, "CAUTION"
Blank Sign, "NOTICE"
Duck Tape
Bailing Wire
Cable Ties

PPE
Hard Hats
Liners
Safety Glasses, Clear
Safety Glasses, Shade 3
Side Shields
Face Shield, Clear
Face Shield, Shade 3
Face Shield Frame
Hearing Protection, Plugs
Hearing Protection, Muffs
Gloves, Canvas
Gloves, Leather
Gloves, Cotton
Fall Protection Harnesses
Lanyard, 6 ft
Lanyard, 20 Ft retractable
Straps, Carabineers, Hooks
Type III Reflective Vest

TOOLS
Claw Hammer
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Wrenches
Tin snips
Nails & Screws
Staple Gun & Staples
Pry bar
Cordless drill
Cordless circular saw