Design is an important and powerful ability. It affords us the opportunity to create an environment to our liking. While architects and engineers design buildings and bridges, in the construction industry, it is about designing work processes. Whatever we design and build, good design demands attention; that is especially true during logistics planning and work process design that could affect worker safety. However, for complex projects that contain high-energy hazards, designing safe work operations may be easier said than done. In this study, we aim to explore tools and practices that support risk management and enable the effective design of safe construction work operations during pre-construction planning. We will conduct experiments to document the efficacy and value of selected tools and practices and develop guidance for their effective implementation. We envision the study will lead to a protocol for their implementation in practice, and ultimately facilitate a culture of safe design within construction firms when planning and scheduling work operations.