Notes

How to make an SWMS.
A Safe Work Method Statement is a file that sets out the High danger construction work (HRCW) activities to be carried out at a workplace, the threats occurring from these activities and the procedures to be put in place to manage the risks to health and safety.
Tuesday, 24th May 2022.
Its main purpose is to assist workers and managers to execute and keep an eye on the control determines developed to make sure the work is performed securely.

What is 'high threat construction work' (HRCW)?
High threat construction work is specified in WHS guidelines as construction work that:.

involves a risk of an individual falling more than 2 metres (3 metres in South Australia); or.
involves demolition of an aspect of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical stability of the structure; or.
involves, or is most likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; or.
includes structural alterations or repairs that need momentary assistance to prevent collapse; or.
is performed in an area at a work environment in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or.
is carried out in or near a confined space; or.
is carried out in or near:.
a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1 5 metres; or.
a tunnel; or.
involves making use of dynamites; or.
is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; or.
is performed on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or.
is carried out on or near energised electrical setups or services; or.
is carried out in an area that may have an infected or flammable atmosphere; or.
includes tilt-up or precast concrete; or.
is carried out on, in or adjacent to a roadway, train, delivering lane or other traffic passage that remains in usage by traffic aside from pedestrians; or.
is performed on a telecommunication tower; or.
is carried out in a location at a work environment in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or.
is carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature level; or.
is performed in or near water or other liquid that includes a risk of drowning; or.
includes diving work.
Note: Victorian OHS guidelines have some slight variations of the above meaning of HRCW.

How do I go about preparing a SWMS?
A typical approach to developing a SWMS includes the following:.

Collect all appropriate information about the work.
The very first job is to determine the types of HRCW that the work involves and how it is to be performed.

Discover the threats.
Review the proposed work and details about each task to identify the risks, i.e., the occasions or things that may trigger damage to workers or other people. Information, such as codes of practice or guidance product, may be readily available in the site of your local workplace health and safety regulator for specific construction jobs.

Talk to the relevant workers.
In consultation with the workers that will undertake the HRCW, their managers and health and wellness representatives (if any) evaluate the regional health and safety requirements, and the proposed work.

Think about the views of employees about the hazards, the prospective threat control procedures and any site-specific matters that might affect the safety of the work. If there are other workers that could be affected by the work they need to likewise be sought advice from.

Note: There is a legal responsibility to seek advice from affected employees and their health and wellness agents when identifying threats or choosing procedures to manage risk, and to take their views into account.

Select the most suitable control procedures to eliminate or reduce risks.

To select the most appropriate control procedures you need to apply the 'hierarchy of control' as detailed in steps 1 to 5 listed below. HIA's info sheet The Hierarchy of Control describes how the hierarchy of control applies to the requirements for handling work environment threats and dangers.

Initially, you need to look for to get rid of threats so far as is reasonably practicable (e.g., doing as much work as possible on the ground instead of at height).
If it is not fairly practicable to get rid of threats, you should carry out any particular control procedures that are compulsory by law in your State or Area.
Some workplace health and safety laws recommend specific control procedures that should be applied for handling threats to health and wellness arising from specific risks or activities. Examples include, however are not limited to, work including asbestos, work at height, operate in restricted areas. Particular requirements are in the workplace health and safety laws readily available in the website of your local workplace health and safety regulator.

After implementing step 2, if a risk remains, the threat must be reduced up until now as is reasonably practicable by carrying out one, or a mix of the following:.
Substituting a procedure or substance with one that is less harmful. Wet sweeping rather of dry sweeping of hazardous dusts such as crystalline silica.
Separating workers and other individuals from the hazard. For example by installing barriers in between workers and mobile plant.
Using engineering controls. For instance, Utilising an elevated work platform or a scaffold to decrease the threat of falling from height.
If after implementing the above control determines a danger to health or safety still remains, lower that danger, so far as is reasonably practicable, by using administrative controls. This consists of, security training, work guidelines, cautioning signs and supervision.
If a risk to health or security still remains after carrying out the above, minimise that danger, so far as is fairly practicable by offering personal protective devices (PPE). This consists of Utilising protective clothes such as shatterproof glass, hard hats, gloves, respiratory protection, or a mix of proper PPE.
A combination of control procedures will need to be used to minimise threats as far as is reasonably practicable.

Writing the SWMS - What info must be included?
A SWMS should:.

recognise the work that is high risk construction work.
specify the dangers connecting to the high risk construction work and the risks to health and safety.
describe the steps to be executed to control the dangers, and.
describe how the control procedures are to be implemented, kept track of and evaluated.
For an example of how to do this see: How to complete a SWMS when using silica.

The control procedures should be set out and revealed in a manner that is readily accessible and understandable to the individuals who will use the SWMS. Explain in clear terms how risks to health and safety are to be managed to allow the work to be done safely, and how the control procedures are to be implemented.

You can use any type or design template to draft up the SWMS, consisting of paper and electronic formats, provided the above information is included and is easily available.

Can I utilise a generic SWMS?
A generic SWMS can be utilised after it has been examined and modified as required to ensure that it covers all the threats and threats that are present on the website where the work is to be carried out. A generic SWMS needs to be reviewed/revised prior to commencing the work and prior to starting a brand-new activity or a change in work place or scenarios.

For more details about SWMS and your obligations go to the site of your local office health and safety authority and search for safe work method statements.
Safe Work Method Statement Templates

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