Safety Information Booklet
Safe Work Method Statements
Safe Work Method Statements |
1
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Safe Work Method Statements ...................................................................................................... 3
What is a SWMS? ........................................................................................................................ 3
How to prepare and write a SWMS ........................................................................................... 4
What to do to put into operation a SWMS................................................................................ 7
In summary! ................................................................................................................................ 8
Attachment 1: High-risk construction work ............................................................................ 10
Attachment 2: WorkSafe ACT’s recommended Safe Work Method Statement Template ... 13
Attachment 3: Hazard, possible cause and suggested control measure ............................... 15
Attachment 4: Hierarchy of control ......................................................................................... 19
Attachment 5: SWMS example–Changing a tyre .................................................................... 21
Figures
Figure 1: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Task steps ............................................................... 5
Figure 2: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Hazards................................................................... 6
Figure 3: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Control measures .................................................. 7
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| Safe Work Method Statements
SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENTS
What is a SWMS?
Purpose of a SWMS
The purpose of a SWMS is to allow supervisors, workers and others to
understand the requirements developed to carryout high-risk
construction work in a healthy and safe manner.
!
SWMS are only required for the 18 high-risk construction
work activities.
 s299(1) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
 Attachment 1: High-risk construction work
Tasks set out in a
logical sequences
The SWMS sets out the tasks in a logical sequence, and identifies the
hazards and describes the control measures. Its aim is to:

describe the task being done

identify the resources, manpower and skills required for the
task

assess and select control measures, as appropriate

logically plan the task, so it can be completed efficiently and
effectively.
 WorkSafe ACT’s Safe Work Method Statements [SWMS]
2: WorkSafe ACT’s recommended Safe Work
 Attachment
Method Statement Template
Must be easy to read
The SWMS must be easy to read by those who need to know what has
been planned to manage the risks and apply the control measures.
Those who need to know include:

the supervisor of the high-risk construction work
Safe Work Method Statements |
3

the worker carrying out the high-risk construction work

the Principal Contractor (for a construction project) or the
person who has management and control over the high-risk
construction work.
Those who need to know must make sure the work is being carried out
in line with the SWMS.
Worksafe ACT and
SWMS
WorkSafe ACT states the SWMS should be:

based on a risk assessment

site specific.
How to prepare and write a SWMS
Task steps
Break the task down to its basic steps to complete it safely.
!
Concentrate on what, not how.
 Figure 1: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Task steps
The steps cannot be too broad to leave out important ones or too many
to make it complicated, but must ‘be set out in a way that is readily
accessible and understandable to persons who use it’.
 s299(3)(b) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
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| Safe Work Method Statements
What are the
tasks involved?
What are the hazards and
risks?
(What is the problem?)
What are the control measures?
(Describe the control measures and how they will
be used)
Think about the workplace and each stage of the work, including preparation and clean up.
Figure 1: SWMS example:
1. Park vehicle.
Changing a tyre—Task
2. Get spare tire
steps
Identify the hazards and
Describe what will be done to control the risk.
risks that may cause harm to What will you do to make the activity as safe as
workers or the public.
possible?
and tool kit.
3. Remove
hubcap.
4. Loosen wheel
nuts.
5. And so on…
Hazards and risks
For each step look at all the hazards and risks, and list them.
 Figure 2: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Hazards
3: Hazard, possible cause and suggested control
 Attachment
measure
For the SWMS to be productive all the hazards and risks need to be
listed.
!
Do not forget the ‘hidden hazards’ that may be present,
i.e. energy sources (electrical, mechanical, thermal and
pressure), airborne contaminants, and fire and explosion.
Safe Work Method Statements |
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What are the
tasks involved?
What are the hazards and
risks?
(What is the problem?)
What are the control measures?
(Describe the control measures and how they will
be used)
Think about the workplace and each stage of the work, including preparation and clean up.
Identify the hazards and
Describe what will be done to control the risk.
risks that may cause harm to What will you do to make the activity as safe as
workers or the public.
possible?
1. Park vehicle.
a) Can be hit by passing
traffic.
b) Can be hit by vehicle on
uneven, soft ground.
c) Vehicle may roll on
driver.
2. Get spare tire
and tool kit.
a) Lifting spare may cause
strain.
3. Remove
hubcap.
a) Hubcap may pop off and
hit the driver.
4. Loosen wheel
nuts.
a) Wheel brace may slip
and hurt the driver.
5. And so on…
a) …
Figure 2: SWMS example:
Changing a tyre—
Hazards
Control measures for
identified hazards
For each hazard decide whether the risk is possible and requires
control, and then decide on control measures and how to implement
them.
3: SWMS example: Changing a tyre—Control
 Figure
measures
The best way is to use the ‘Hierarchy of Control’, with some hazards
needing more than one control measure to lower the risk to an
acceptable level remember, the management of risk is ‘so far as is
reasonably practicable’.
 s17 Work Health and Safety Act 2011
 Attachment 4: Hierarchy of control
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What are the
tasks involved?
What are the hazards and
risks?
(What is the problem?)
What are the control measures?
(Describe the control measures and how they will
be used)
Think about the workplace and each stage of the work, including preparation and clean up.
Identify the hazards and
Describe what will be done to control the risk.
risks that may cause harm to What will you do to make the activity as safe as
workers or the public.
possible?
1. Park vehicle.
a) Can be hit by passing
traffic.
b) Can be hit by vehicle on
uneven, soft ground.
c) Vehicle may roll on
driver.
a) Drive to area well clear of traffic turn on
emergency flashers.
b) Choose a firm, level area.
2. Get spare tire
and tool kit.
a) Lifting spare may cause
strain.
a) Turn spare into upright position in the wheel
well. Using your legs and standing as close
as possible, lift spare out of boot and roll to
flat tyre.
3. Remove
hubcap.
a) Hubcap may pop off and
hit the driver.
a) Remove hubcap using steady pressure.
4. Loosen wheel
nuts.
a) Wheel brace may slip
and hurt the driver.
a) Use proper wheel brace apply steady
pressure slowly.
5. And so on…
a) …
a) …
Figure 3: SWMS example:
Changing a tyre—Control
measures
Documentation
c) Apply the parking brake, leave transmission in
gear or in PARK place blocks in front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite to the
flat.
Document the job steps, hazards and risks, and control measures on
the SWMS template.
 Attachment 5: SWMS example–Changing a tyre
What to do to put into operation a SWMS
Before
implementation
Before implementing the SWMS:

consult with the workers involved (to make sure everything is
covered and it makes sense)

discuss it at a toolbox talk or during the task induction

have it sign off by workers
Safe Work Method Statements |
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
Work to be carried
out in accordance
with the SWMS
make certain the workers understand it!
A PCBU conducting high-risk construction work ‘must put in place
arrangements for ensuring that high-risk construction work is carried
out in accordance with the SWMS for the work’.
 s300(1) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
If high-risk work is NOT being carried out in accordance with the SWMS,
work must be stopped immediately.
 s300(2)(a) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
The PCBU must have a reasonable process for checking that high-risk
work is being carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
Reviewed, available
and kept
SWMS must be:

reviewed (regularly, i.e. every 12 months, after an incident or
if there are changes in legislation etc.)

available (‘readily accessible’) to any worker engaged to carry
out the high-risk construction work

kept until the work to which it applies is completed, unless a
notifiable incident occurs (then keep for 2 years)
In summary!
Other work
8
For other work (not high-risk construction work), the same process
applies:
| Safe Work Method Statements
SWMS overview

identify the hazards/risks

assess the hazards/risks

implement controls, if necessary [and document, but no
SWMS is required, it could be a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), or
be part of a procedure, training, policy, etc.].
1. SWMS is a means to an end, not the end in itself, its primary goal is
for high-risk work to be carried out safely
2. Keep them short and to the point
3. Consult with the workers–toolbox talks and task inductions
4. Put in place a process for checking that work is being carried out as
per the SWMS.
5. What happens at the coalface where the work is being done is far
more important than the paperwork.
Contact Master
Builders ACT for
further information
Work Health and Safety is always at the forefront in terms of issues
within the industry and Master Builders ACT pursuit to lift standards to
ensure the safety and well-being of workers is an ongoing one.
Master Builders ACT can provide additional advice on developing and
implementing Safe Work Method Statements
 For more information, contact Master Builders ACT.
Safe Work Method Statements |
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Attachment 1: High-risk construction work
High-risk construction work
Examples
Work that involves a risk of a person falling more than  Installing an evaporative cooler on the roof of a
2m.
house
 Installing roof trusses
 Installing roof tiles or roof sheeting
 Working adjacent to a pit or opening with a fall
height of more than 2m
Work carried out on a telecommunication tower
 Installing equipment on a telecommunications
tower
Work that involves demolition of an element of a
structure load-bearing or otherwise related to the
physical integrity of the structure
 Knocking down a load-bearing wall in a house
 Removing bracing from a wall or roof as part of a
renovation
 Knocking down load-bearing walls as part of a
warehouse conversion
Work that involves, or is likely to involve the
disturbance of asbestos
 Removing floor tiles containing asbestos as part of
a renovation
 Cutting or drilling into an asbestos cement sheet
wall
 Demolishing a house that contains asbestos
 Working on asbestos cement pipework
Work that involves structural alterations or repairs
that require temporary support to prevent collapse
 Using props to support a ceiling where a loadbearing wall will be removed
Work carried out in or near a confined space
 Connecting a new sewer to a sewer main in a 3m
trench
 Unblocking a sewer line from within a large
underground sewer pit
Work carried out in an area which may have a
contaminated or flammable atmosphere
 Removing pipework or tank which may contain the
residue of hazardous chemicals
 Demolishing a petrol station and removing old
tanks
 Decommissioning plant
Work carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an
 Laying or repairing pipes or conduits in a trench
excavated depth greater than 1.5m or is carried out in
more than 1.5m deep
or near a tunnel
 Testing drainage pipes in a trench more than 1.5m
deep
 Working near bored piers greater than 1.5m deep
 Building a tunnel in the course of constructing an
underground railway or road
10 | Safe Work Method Statements
High-risk construction work
Examples
Work that involves the use of explosives
 Using explosives to breakup rock or to remove a
tree stump
 Blasting in preparation of construction of a building
or a road
NOTE: Using explosive power tools is not considered
“work that involves the use of explosives”
Work carried out on or near:
 pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
 chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
 energised electrical installations or services
 Excavating foundations near to an existing gas
supply
 Drilling into a wall where live electrical wiring may
be present
 Working near overhead or underground power
lines
“Near” in the above circumstances, means close
enough that there is a risk of hitting or puncturing the
mains, piping, electrical installation or service.
Electrical installations / services do not include
appliances such as power leads and electrically
powered tools.
Work that involves tilt-up or precast concrete
 Building housing units using precast panels
 Installing a precast drainage pit
Work carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway,
shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic
other than pedestrians.
 Using part of the road to deliver construction
materials to the site
 Installing drainage that involves digging up part of
the road, kerb or gutter
 Building an additional lane on a road
Work carried out in an area on site in which there is
any movement of powered mobile plant
 Working in an area of a construction site not
isolated from the movement of skid steer loaders,
backhoes, mobile cranes or trucks
Work carried out in an area in which there are artificial  Inside enclosed roof cavities
extremes of temperature.
 Construction work in an operating cool room or
freezer
 Construction work alongside an operating boiler
Work carried out in or near water or other liquid that
involves a risk of drowning
 Installing shade sails over a swimming pool
 Building a gazebo adjacent to a swimming pool
 Constructing a bridge over a river or restoring a
wharf
Work that involves diving work
 Divers undertaking structural repairs to the jetty of
a waterfront home
 Structural work on marinas, wharves and piers
Safe Work Method Statements | 11
Attachment 2: WorkSafe ACT’s recommended Safe Work Method Statement Template
Safe Work Method Statements | 13
14 | Safe Work Method Statements
Attachment 3: Hazard, possible cause and suggested control measure
Hazard
Possible cause
Suggested control measure
Traffic hazards
Working in close proximity to
roads
 Use of witches hats or temporary barriers to
cordon off sections of road
 Closure of road
 Use of safety signs
 Speed restriction signs displayed and enforced
Manual handling
Handling of large Items




Use of heavy hand held tools,
i.e. jack hammer
 Use of support harness, where appropriate
 Limits on duration of use
Handling of heavy objects
 Provide mechanical aids
 Redesign object or task
Hot materials
 Provide appropriate protective clothing and
training
Fire in the workplace






Faulty electric leads and tools
 Tools and leads used by contractors are
inspected every 6 months as per testing and
tagging requirements
No earth leakage detectors
 Residual current devices in all circuits
 Residual current devices tested monthly
Electric leads on ground
 Electrical leads kept elevated and clear of work
areas
Electrical leads in damp areas
 All electric leads kept dry and off the ground
Contact with heat
Contact with electricity
Use of lifting aids
Imposed restrictions on certain activities
Requirements for two person lifts
Training of workers
Keep workplace clear of waste materials
Issue of Hot Work Permit
Remove flammable materials or store correctly
Provide adequate firefighting equipment
Worker firefighting training
Eliminate ignition sources from flammable
atmospheres
Electric leads tied to metal rails  All electric leads are kept insulated
Items of plant not isolated
 Ensure Permit-to-Work system followed
 Lock-out and equipment tag procedure
Contact with underground or
overhead cables
 Location of services to be established
 Services to be isolated when working in
proximity
 Establish safe clearance distances
Safe Work Method Statements | 15
Hazard
Exposure to noise
Contact with high
pressure
Contact with chemicals
Contact with radiation
Struck against
Struck by object
Possible cause
Suggested control measure
Plant and equipment not
silenced
 Fit noise suppression to noisy plant and
equipment
Not wearing appropriate
protection
 All workers to wear appropriate PPE (hearing
protectors)
Excessive exposure time to
noisy areas
 Regulate worker exposure to noise
Burst air lines
 Air hoses in good condition and regularly
inspected
Hoses becoming uncoupled
 All hose couplings fitted with pins or chains
Using compressed air to clean
clothing
 Prohibit and instruct workers on dangers
Improper handling of gas
cylinders
 Cylinders stored upright and secured
Defective pressure gauges
 All pressure gauges inspected regularly for
defects
Incorrect handling procedures
 All workers trained in SDS requirements
Lack of information
 Review material SDS and assess risks
Not wearing appropriate PPE
 All workers provided with appropriate PPE
Incorrect storage
 Hazardous substances stored and labelled
correctly
Elevated exposure levels
 Provide mechanical ventilation
 All workers provided with appropriate PPE
Exposure to arc welding
 Welding operations shielded
Not wearing appropriate PPE
 All workers wear appropriate PPE
Protruding objects in access
routes
 Protruding objects are removed or marked
 Provide appropriate PPE (hard hat, safety boots)
Not wearing appropriate PPE
 Provide appropriate PPE & training
Workers running in the
workplace
 Workers exercise restraint and walk
Objects falling from work
platforms





All work platforms fitted with toe-boards
Fence off areas below to prevent access
Materials stacked securely
All workers wear appropriate PPE (hard hats)
Secure loose objects to structure
Debris from grinding operations  Workers wear appropriate PPE
 Shield grinding operations
Wind-blown particles
16 | Safe Work Method Statements
 All workers wear appropriate PPE
Hazard
Fall from height
Possible cause
Suggested control measure
No handrails
 All work platforms have secure handrails
Working outside handrails
 Persons wear full fall arrest type harness
Floor penetrations not covered  All floor penetrations covered or barricaded
Slips and falls
Ladders not secured
 All ladders secured to prevent movement
 Ladders to extend at least 9mm above landings
Unsafe area
 Tag and fence to prevent access
Access routes obstructed by
materials / objects
 All access routes kept clear of materials and
debris
 Mobility impaired access provisions addressed
Leads and hoses across access
routes
 All leads kept clear of ground or covered
Slippery surfaces
 All surfaces used for access kept dry and in good
condition
Safety footwear not appropriate  Workers wear appropriate safety footwear
Caught between
Overstress
Ergonomic hazards
Poor visibility
 Provide adequate lighting
Operating plant




Moving plant
 Workers kept clear when operating plant
 Fit reverse alarms to plant & check operation
Moving loads
 All workers kept clear when using cranes
Loads tipping or swinging
 Load slings properly secured
Materials being positioned
 SOP/SWMS for moving heavy loads
WLL exceeded during lifting
operations
 Compliance with WLL and radius charts on
cranes
 All lifting gear checked regularly
Sprains and strains
 All workers trained in manual handling
techniques
Poor work posture
 Work station to conform with ergonomic
standards
 Seating to conform with ergonomic standards
 Training of workers
 Provide adequate task lighting
Use of excessive force
 Provide mechanical aids
 Modify workplace design
Repetitive movements
 Modify task requirements
 Job rotation
Guarding of rotating plant and hand tools
SOP/SWMS to be followed
Provide roll over cage protection
Pre-start daily safety inspection
Safe Work Method Statements | 17
Hazard
Possible cause
Suggested control measure
Asbestos hazards
Accidental disturbance or
contact
 Asbestos materials identified and labelled
 Asbestos materials removed from workplace
 SOP/SWMS developed
Biological hazards
Needle stick injury
 Provide appropriate waste disposal containers
 Provide workers with PPE
 Develop SOP/SWMS and train workers
Potential exposure to HIV,
Hepatitis
 Develop SOP/SWMS and train workers
 Immunisation program
Potential exposure to Legionella  Provide workers with PPE
bacteria
 Implement microbial control procedures
Emergency
management /
evacuation
Inadequate access / egress
routes





No exit signage
 Provide appropriate signage
Blocked access ways
 Ensure blocked access ways are clear
 Periodical workplace inspections
Inoperable emergency
equipment
 Ensure fire equipment is periodically maintained
 Ensure a fire equipment schedule is
implemented
18 | Safe Work Method Statements
Provide appropriate access / egress routes
Provide appropriate access / egress signage
Ensure access ways are clear
Provide emergency control organisation
Provide emergency evacuation procedures /
plans
Attachment 4: Hierarchy of control
The hierarchy of control
•The highest level of control that is reasonably
practical to implement is to be utilised to
control the identified risk
1. Elimination
•The most desirable option - If you eliminate
the hazard you completely eliminate the
associated risk.
2. Substitution
•You can substitute something else (a
substance or process) that has less potential
to cause injury.
3. Isolation
•You can make a structural change to the work
environment or work process to interrupt the
path between the worker and the risk.
4. Engineering Controls
5. Administrative Controls
•You may be able to reduce risk by upgrading
training, changing rosters or other
administrative options.
The least desirable option;
when you can’t reduce the
risk of injury in any other
way, use personal protective
equipment (gloves, goggles
etc.) as a last resort.
Safe Work Method Statements | 19
Attachment 5: SWMS example–Changing a tyre
Safe Work Method Statements | 21
22 | Safe Work Method Statements
MBA Group Training Ltd.
1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 | PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Tel: (02) 6280 9119 Fax: (02) 6280 9118 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mba.org.au
ABN: 62 130 865 253
Master Builders Association of the ACT
1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 | PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Tel: (02) 6247 2099 Fax: (02) 6249 8374 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mba.org.au
ABN: 52 853 376 568
24 | Safe Work Method Statements