Work preparation in construction and civil engineering – step by step according to AFS 2023:3
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AFS 2023:3 defines work preparation (arbetsberedning) as the detailed planning of how an individual work task is to be carried out, which also includes the management of work environment risks. Good work preparation therefore links production, quality, and safety in the same practical plan.
Quick overview
- Work preparation is the detailed planning of a specific work task.
- Work environment risks must be integrated into the method – they should not be in a separate document without a link to the execution.
- Relevant professional groups and subcontractors should be involved before starting.
- Machines, materials, logistics, sequence, and simultaneous work need to be assessed.
- The preparation must be communicated and updated if conditions change.
| Task | What is to be done and in what order? |
| Method | How is the work performed and what tools are used? |
| Risks | Falls, lifting, traffic, collapse, chemicals, electricity, ergonomics, and simultaneous work. |
| Resources | Personnel, competence, machines, materials, and protective equipment. |
| Control | What must be ready before starting and what is followed up during the work? |
Start with the work task – not the document template
Define which task is to be planned. Work preparation becomes most useful when it is concrete enough to describe the sequence, staffing, equipment, and critical control points.
Integrate work environment risks into the work method
The risk assessment should influence how the work is actually to be performed. If a lift requires cordoning off, an assembly requires collective fall protection, or traffic needs to be separated from pedestrians, it must be stated directly in the work preparation.
Coordinate with the BAS-U and other actors
Construction projects often have multiple contractors and simultaneous work. Work preparation should therefore be handled within the project's coordination and linked to the work environment plan when the risks or measures belong there.
Go through the preparation with those who are to perform the work
The document does not create safety on its own. A review before starting provides an opportunity to discover practical problems, check understanding, and capture experience from those who know the task best.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Copying an old work preparation without site- and task-specific checking.
- Having the risk assessment separate and not letting it affect the work method.
- Not taking other contractors' simultaneous work into account.
- Lacking stop criteria when conditions change.
- The document being written by management but never reviewed with the performers.
Frequently asked questions
What is work preparation according to AFS 2023:3?
Detailed planning of how an individual work task is to be carried out, including the management of work environment risks.
Is work preparation the same thing as a work environment plan?
No. The work environment plan applies to the project's overall work environment efforts and specific risks, while work preparation normally goes down to a specific work task.
Who should do the work preparation?
Responsibility and participation depend on the project organization. In practice, management and those who will perform the task should be involved, and the preparation should be coordinated with the BAS-U where relevant.
When should it be updated?
When methods, conditions, the workplace, equipment, staffing, or the risk profile change in a way that affects the execution.
Template for work preparation in construction & civil engineering
The template package gathers work tasks, methods, risks, resources, control points, and reviews into a practical Word/PDF document.
Also read
Sources and further reading
Last updated: October 5, 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace an activity-specific work environment assessment.
