Safe Work Method Statements

Safe Work Method Statements

Don’t overcomplicate.

They are not intended to be a work procedure.

The basics:

SWMS are required under the WHS Regulations for high risk construction work (e.g excavation > 1.5m, falls risk > 2m, confined space, mobile plant operations, etc.).

A SWMS is a document that outlines the hazards, risks, and control measures associated with high risk construction work.

What can make a SWMS ineffective:

Making them overly lengthy.

Including hazards and risks which are not directly associated with high risk construction work.

Making them overly generic and vague.

Overly repeating information.

Pro tips:

Outline non-high risk construction work hazards and risk controls, like manual tasks and noise exposure, in other documents.

Use pictures, diagrams, and images to communicate hazards and risk controls as practicable.

Set out in logical steps for undertaking the high risk construction work activity.

Don’t list a hazard or risk as a work task.

Consult the work crew when developing and reviewing.

Developing effective SWMS specific to your organisation can be challenging, so if you would like our construction safety specialist to help, get in touch.