Do you need Safe Work Method Statements?
SafeWork NSW give clear and precise definitions and examples of Safe Work Method statements on their website: Prepare safe work method statement | SafeWork NSW
Their website says:
A safe work method statement (SWMS) is a safety planning document that must be developed for work that is considered high risk construction work under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017.
A SWMS must be site-specific and made available to workers, supervisors and any other persons at the workplace, so they can understand the hazards, risks and safety controls that must be used to keep workers and others safe.
A SWMS is intended to be a simple safe system planning and implementation tool, used by supervisors and workers to stay safe on construction sites when undertaking high risk construction work.
When is a SWMS required
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to have a SWMS prepared for high risk construction work before that work commences.
Who needs to complete a SWMS
A PCBU that carries out high risk construction work must ensure a SWMS is prepared, or has already been prepared by another person, such as another PCBU.
If more than one PCBU is involved, then each PCBU must consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other PCBUs.
For example, a sub-contracting business may be working on a construction site for a principal contractor (PC). The sub-contractor will need to develop the SWMS for the high risk construction work they are undertaking, taking into account circumstances that may affect the way in which high risk construction work is carried out and the construction projects’ WHS management plan. The SWMS must be developed in consultation with the PC to ensure agreed controls are appropriate and in place prior to the activity commencing.
What should be included in a SWMS
Here is a SWMS template and some examples of SWMS:
Safe work method statement for demolition work - SafeWork NSW
High risk construction work method statement - SafeWork NSW
Construction work Code of Practice - SafeWork NSW
Interactive SWMS guidance tool - Safe Work Australia
Using a generic SWMS
A generic SWMS may be prepared and used for high risk construction work activities that are carried out on a regular basis. To ensure the SWMS complies with the WHS legislation, it must be reviewed and take into account site-specific hazards and risks.
Do you need a separate SWMS for each high risk construction work activity
One SWMS can be prepared to cover a number of high risk construction work activities.
Alternatively, a separate SWMS can be prepared for each high risk construction work activity. If developing separate SWMS, always consider or cross reference situations where different activities may impact each other, for example, work involving the risk of falls greater than 2 metres during the removal of asbestos roof sheeting.
Implementing and reviewing a SWMS
High risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
The PCBU must ensure:
the controls are in place prior to the activity commencing
the hazards, risks and controls are communicated to workers
if the work is not being conducted in accordance with the SWMS, then work must cease immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so
the SWMS is reviewed
work must not resume until the work can be carried out in accordance with the (reviewed if necessary) SWMS.
A SWMS must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective. Reviews of SWMS should also occur when there are changes to:
the high risk construction work process
the site work environment, where new or unforeseen hazards and risks are evident
the controls.
The review process should be carried out in consultation with other PCBUs, workers (including contractors and sub-contractors) and relevant workgroup health and safety representatives.
Where should I keep a SWMS
The SWMS should be kept and made available at the workplace where the high risk construction work will be carried out and until the work in which it relates is completed. A SWMS can also be kept electronically, if it is readily available to workers.
For more information on SWMS and working safely in construction, see the:
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