Safety Stop Work Order

Full Description

This stop work order template lets you formally stop work on your jobsite when safety requirements are not being met. It records why work was stopped, who was involved and what corrective actions were taken before work restarted, so you have a clear written record of the decision.

What is a safety stop work order?

A safety stop work order is a written notice that halts a task, a crew or an area of the jobsite because the work is unsafe or breaks the site’s safety rules. It is issued by a supervisor, safety lead or other person with stop work authority. The order states the reason, the time, date and location, and the party responsible for the work. Work stays stopped until the hazard is corrected and the person who issued the order agrees it can safely resume.

When to use it

• A crew is working at height without fall protection or with damaged equipment
• Excavation, lifting or hot work starts without the required permit or controls
• A subcontractor repeatedly ignores site safety rules after verbal warnings
• An unsafe condition appears, such as unstable ground, exposed live services or missing guardrails
• An inspection finds a serious hazard that must be fixed before work continues

What’s included

The download is an editable Word document (.docx) for a safety stop work notice. It lets you record:

• The reason for the stop work order
• The party responsible for the work
• Time, date and location details
• The corrective actions taken, with related details

How to fill it out

1. Stop the work first and make the area safe. Complete the paperwork once people are out of danger.
2. Enter the date, time and exact location of the work being stopped.
3. Name the company, crew or person responsible for the work.
4. Describe the unsafe act or condition clearly and factually. Note the site rule or requirement that was not met.
5. Agree the corrective actions with the responsible party and record them, including who will complete each one.
6. Inspect the corrections. Record when work was allowed to restart and who approved it.
7. Give a copy to the responsible party and keep one in your safety records.

Tips

• Take photos of the hazard and attach them to your file copy.
• Stick to facts. Describe what you saw, not who is to blame.
• Track repeat orders against the same subcontractor. Patterns point to training or supervision gaps.
• Make sure every worker knows they can stop unsafe work without fear of reprisal.

Related templates and guides

• Stop Work Notice – Quality
• Safety Violation Notice
• Safety Infraction Notice
• Safety Notice / Infraction Log
• Corrective Action Form Template

Frequently asked questions

What is a stop work order in construction?

It is an instruction to stop some or all work on a project. On a jobsite, a contractor’s supervisor or safety lead may issue one when work is unsafe. Separately, building departments and other authorities can issue stop work orders for work without permits or code violations. This template is for the contractor’s internal safety stop work orders.

Who can issue a stop work order on a jobsite?

Under most contractor safety programs, supervisors, safety staff and project managers can issue a formal stop work order. Many companies also give every worker stop work authority, meaning anyone can stop a task they believe is unsafe. Your site safety plan should state who can issue formal orders and who can approve a restart.

What happens after a stop work order is issued?

The affected work stops and the area is made safe. The responsible party investigates the cause and puts corrective actions in place. The person who issued the order, or another authorized person, then checks the fixes before allowing work to restart. The completed form is kept with the project’s safety records.

How do you lift a stop work order?

For an internal safety order, correct the hazard, confirm the controls are in place and have the issuer or an authorized supervisor inspect and sign off the restart. For an order from a building department or other authority, follow that authority’s process, which usually involves correcting violations and requesting a re-inspection.

What is stop work authority?

Stop work authority is a safety policy that gives workers the right and responsibility to stop any task they believe is unsafe, without fear of reprisal. The task stays stopped until the concern is reviewed and resolved. A written stop work order is often used to document serious cases.