GCCEC-Safe-Work-Method-Statement-SWMS-Template

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS
Reference: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources/guides/safe-work-method-statements
Safe word method statements
Duty holders
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) carrying out any high risk work in connection with a construction project is required under the
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation) to:
• Ensure that a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before the proposed work starts
• Plan to ensure that any high-risk construction work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS
• Ensure that a copy of the SWMS is given to the principal contractor before the work starts
• Ensure that a SWMS is reviewed and revised if necessary
• Keep a copy of the SWMS until any high-risk construction work is completed
All duty holders involved in a high-risk work activity must make sure:
• The work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS

• If the work is not carried out in accordance with the SWMS, the work is:
o stopped immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so
o resumed in accordance with the statement
• All SWMSs are given to the principal contractor prior to work commencing
• SWMSs are kept being readily available for inspection
SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 1

Purpose of a safe work method statement (SWMS)
The primary purpose of a SWMS is to help supervisors, workers and any other persons at the workplace to understand the requirements that have
been established to carry out the high-risk construction work in a safe and healthy manner.
The SWMS:
• Sets out the work activities in logical sequences

• Identifies hazards
• Describes control measures
Both simple and complex activities can be broken down into a series of basic steps that will allow for full analysis of each part of the activity for hazards
and potential incidents. The description of the process should not be so broad that it leaves out activities with the potential to cause incidents and
prevents proper identification of the hazards nor is it necessary to go into fine detail of the tasks.
The aim of a SWMS is to:
• Describe the activity or task to be undertaken

• Identify the resources, manpower and skills associated with the task
• assess and select control measures (as appropriate)
• systematically plan the activity so it can be completed efficiently and effectively
The SWMS must be able to be easily read by those who need to know what has been planned to manage the risks and implement the control measures
and ensure the work is being carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
This includes:
• The supervisor of the high-risk construction work

• The worker carrying out the high-risk construction work
• The principal contractor (if it is a construction project) or the person who has management and control over the high-risk construction work

What should be in a safe work method statement (SWMS)?
When preparing a SWMS, the following must be considered:
• The circumstance at the workplace that may affect the way in which the high-risk construction work is carried out
• On a construction project, the WHS management plan prepared by the principal contractor
o identify the work that is high risk construction work
o specify hazards relating to the high-risk construction work and risks to health and safety associated with those hazards
o describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks
o describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed
A SWMS should also include the following information:
• The PCBU’s name, address and ABN (if they have one)
• Details of the person(s) responsible for ensuring implementation, monitoring and compliance with the SWMS
• If the work is being carried out at a construction project:
o the name of the principal contractor
o the address where the high-risk construction work will be carried out
o the date the SWMS was prepared and the date it was provided to the principal contractor
o the review date (if any)
A SWMS may also include:
• The names of workers that have been consulted on the content of the SWMS
• The date the consultation occurred
• The signature of each worker acknowledging their participation in this consultation and the opportunity to discuss the proposed measures

The content of a SWMS should provide clear direction on the control measures to be implemented. There should be no statements that require a
decision to be made by supervisors or workers. For example, the statement ‘use appropriate PPE’ does not detail the control measures. The control
measures should be clearly specified.
Workers and their health and safety representatives should be consulted in the preparation of the SWMS. If there are no workers engaged at the
planning stage, consultation should occur with workers when the SWMS is first made available to workers for example, during induction training, or
when it is reviewed such as during workplace-specific training or a toolbox talk.
Generic safe work method statement (SWMS)
A generic SWMS may be prepared and used for work activities that are carried out on a regular basis. The content of this type of SWMS may be refined
over several years and include consultation with workers and other PCBUs. Prior to each new activity, the SWMS must be reviewed and revised to
ensure it applies to the high-risk construction work and the actual workplace.
Providing information and instruction
A PCBU must ensure that all workers who will be involved in high-risk construction work are provided with information and instruction so they:
• Understand the hazards and the risks arising from the work
• Understand and implement the risk controls in a SWMS
• Know what to do if the work is not being conducted in accordance with the SWMS
For example, this information and instruction may be provided during induction training, workplace-specific or during a toolbox talk by principal
contractor, contractor or subcontractor.

Reference:
Job Details
Job Details Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Description of work activity
Date of delevlopment SWMS Number

Author(s)
Names and Contact details
Project
Review Team
SWMS Approved by
Location Area
Skills/Qualifications/Licences
required
Plant/Equipment required
Permits required
PPE (tick required)
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Uniform Footwear Eyewear Gloves Hard hat High-vis Hearing Other Other Other
Protection
SAFEMETHOD
SAFE METHOD WORK
WORK STATEMENT
STATEMENT (SWMS)(SWMS) 5 5
SAFE METHOD
Reference: WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS
Potential hazards
Potential hazards associated
associated with
with the
the job
job Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Category Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard
Working at ☐ Ladders Pressure ☐ Competitive pressures Workplace ☐ Asbestos
heights ☐ Lifting equipment, scissors / EWP’s ☐ Compressed gases / air ☐ Confined space / void space
☐ Scaffolding ☐ Fluid ☐ Falling objects
☐ Stairs / platforms ☐ High pressure steam ☐ General access
☐ Working at height ☐ Hydraulic ☐ Housekeeping
☐ Working above others ☐ Water ☐ Illumination / lighting
☐ Multiple work requiring EWP’s ☐ Noise, i.e. Exposure / nuisance
Working with ☐ Static electricity/Induction Human ☐ Rushing ☐ Poor ventilation
Electricity ☐ Sub-stations / switch rooms factors ☐ Complacency ☐ Protrusions
☐ Underground cables ☐ Fatigue ☐ Restricted visibility
☐ Contact with electrical equipment ☐ Unclear work direction ☐ Restricted work area
☐ Electrical cables ☐ Stress / Anxiety / Frustration ☐ Slip & trip hazards
☐ High voltage equipment ☐ Lack of knowledge ☐ Unauthorised personnel
☐ Overhead cables ☐ Poor communications ☐ Unlabelled controls
☐ Non-compliant earths (tagged/tested) ☐ Negative attitudes ☐ Vibration
Radiation ☐ Infra-red Using mobile ☐ Traffic / pedestrian interaction / collision ☐ Wet / slippery
☐ Microwaves plant ☐ Uneven terrain ☐ Wind / storm activity
☐ Ultra-violet light, i.e., sun ☐ Unlicensed / untrained operators ☐ Fog / mist / smoke
☐ X-ray ☐ Vehicle instability ☐ Working in isolation
☐ Laser ☐ Vehicle access ☐ Dust / particulates
Mechanical ☐ Abrasive blasting / grinding Hazardous ☐ Awkward / unbalanced load Chemical ☐ Chemicals / reagents
☐ Auto-start equipment Manual Tasks ☐ High / low reach ☐ Fumes / vapour / mist (e.g. SF6)
☐ Conveyors (ergonomic) ☐ High force / heavy loads ☐ Flammable gases
☐ Equipment failure ☐ Lighting ☐ Handling flammable materials
☐ Hand and power tool ☐ Over exertion / fatigue ☐ Hazardous chemical exposure
☐ Impact and crushing areas ☐ Poor design / layout / surface ☐ Solid chemical
☐ Pinch / cutting points ☐ Repetitive movements ☐ Splashes / burns
☐ Residual / stored energy ☐ Spills to ground or work area
☐ Uncontrolled movement Environment ☐ Air contamination Thermal ☐ Cold – ambient temperature
☐ Unguarded moving parts ☐ Soil contamination ☐ Heat – ambient temperature
☐ Welding or cutting ☐ Storm water contamination ☐ Hot materials/fluids
☐ Waste (effluent/hazardous ☐ Hot surfaces
☐ Solid waste ☐ UV exposure

SAFE METHOD
Job Specific
Job Specific Hazards
Hazardsand
andControls
Controls Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Job Steps Reference Hazards Controls
List the steps required to perform the List the references for the required For each job step list the hazards Initial List the control measures required to Residual
job in the sequence they are carried out job step such as work instructions, that could cause injury when the Risk eliminate or minimise the risk of injury Risk
client requirements etc. task is performed Rating arising from the identified hazards Rating
Plan and prepare
Carry out the job
Complete the job

Job Specific Hazards and Controls [COMPANY NAME]
SAFE METHOD
List the steps WORK
required to perform the STATEMENT (SWMS)
List the references for the required TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS
For each job step list the hazards Initial List the control measures required to Residual
SAFE
Reference:METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) TEMPLATE
job in the sequence they are carried out job step such as work instructions,
INSTRUCTIONS Risk
that could cause injury when the eliminate or minimise the risk of injury Risk
Plan and prepare
Job Specific
Hazardsand
andControls
[COMPANY NAME]
Carry outprepare
Plan and the job
Carry out the job

Complete the job
Complete the job

SAFE METHOD
Carry out the job
Job Specific
Hazardsand
andControls
[COMPANY NAME]
Complete the job
Plan and prepare
Carry out the job
Complete the job

SAFE METHOD
Risk Matrix
Risk Matrix Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Consequence
Likelihood Low Minor Moderate Major Critical
A B C D E
Almost Certain (5) 11 16 20 23 25
Likely (4) 7 12 17 21 24
Possible (3) 4 8 13 18 22
Unlikely (2) 2 5 9 14 19
Rare (1) 1 3 6 10 15
LOW MODERATE HIGH EXTREME
Likelihood Consequence
Description Frequency Safety Environment
Almost Certain Limited damage to area of low

Expected to happen Occurs once a week Low (A) First aid treatment
(5) significance
Minor short-term damage to

Likely (4) May easily happen Occurs once a month Minor (B) Medical treatment
environmental / heritage area
Lost time Injury or Restricted Moderate effects on

Possible (3) May happen Occurs once a year Moderate (C)
work case environmental / heritage area
Occurs once in 10 Fatality or severe permanent Significant environmental /

Unlikely (2) May happen sometime Major (D)
years disability heritage damage
Severe damage to
May happen in Occurs once in 100 Multiple fatalities / health
Rare (1) Critical (E) environmental / heritage
extreme circumstances years effects to >50 persons
damage

SAFE METHOD
Job Specific
Hazardsand
andControls
Controls––Work crew
Work crew to complete
to complete this sectionthis section
Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Site Specific Amendments

SAFE METHOD
SWMSSign
SWMS Sign off
off Page
Page Company name:
[COMPANY NAME]
Crew Member Name Signature Date
This SWMS has been developed through consultation with our employees and has been read, understood, and signed by all employees/contractors/persons undertaking the works:


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SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS

Safe word method statements

• The work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 1

Purpose of a safe work method statement (SWMS)

• Sets out the work activities in logical sequences

• Describe the activity or task to be undertaken

• The supervisor of the high-risk construction work

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 2

What should be in a safe work method statement (SWMS)?

When preparing a SWMS, the following must be considered:

A SWMS should also include the following information:

A SWMS may also include:

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 3

Generic safe work method statement (SWMS)

Providing information and instruction

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 4

Description of work activity

Date of delevlopment SWMS Number

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 6

Carry out the job

Complete the job

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 7

Carry out the job

Complete the job

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 7

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 8

Carry out the job

Complete the job

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 7

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 9

Almost Certain Limited damage to area of low

Minor short-term damage to

Lost time Injury or Restricted Moderate effects on

Occurs once in 10 Fatality or severe permanent Significant environmental /

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 10

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 11

SAFE METHOD WORK STATEMENT (SWMS) 12

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