Accident Prevention
Contractors must proactively implement and maintain comprehensive safety measures on construction-related contracts, with immediate corrective action required for any safety violations, or risk work stoppage without compensation.
Overview
FAR 52.236-13, Accident Prevention, requires contractors performing construction, dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements to maintain safe work environments and procedures. The clause mandates safeguarding public and government personnel, property, and equipment, as well as minimizing operational interruptions and controlling costs. Contractors must provide safety barricades, signs, and signal lights, comply with OSHA standards (29 CFR Part 1926 and 1910), and implement any additional safety measures required by the Contracting Officer. For Department of Defense contracts, compliance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1) is also required. The Contracting Officer may order work stoppage if safety violations are not corrected immediately, with no entitlement to contract price or schedule adjustments. The clause must be flowed down to all subcontracts. Alternate I adds requirements for a written safety plan and pre-work safety meetings for long-duration or hazardous projects or those involving hazardous materials or operations on government facilities.
Key Rules
- General Safety Obligations
- Contractors must maintain safe work environments and procedures to protect people and property, avoid delays, and control costs.
- Specific Safety Measures
- Contractors must provide safety barricades, signs, signal lights, and comply with OSHA standards and any additional measures required by the Contracting Officer.
- DOD-Specific Requirements
- For DOD contracts, compliance with EM 385-1-1 is mandatory.
- Noncompliance and Corrective Action
- Immediate corrective action is required upon notification of noncompliance; failure may result in stop-work orders without compensation.
- Subcontractor Flowdown
- The clause must be included in all subcontracts.
- Alternate I (if applicable)
- Requires a written safety plan and pre-work safety meetings for hazardous or long-duration projects.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Monitor compliance, issue notices of noncompliance, and enforce corrective actions or stop-work orders.
- Contractors: Implement and maintain safety measures, comply with all applicable standards, respond immediately to safety notices, and flow down the clause to subcontractors.
- Agencies: Oversee contractor compliance and ensure safety standards are enforced.
Practical Implications
- This clause exists to prevent accidents, protect personnel and property, and ensure project continuity and cost control.
- Contractors must be proactive in safety planning and compliance, especially on hazardous or DOD projects.
- Failure to comply can result in work stoppages and no compensation for delays or costs incurred due to safety violations.