Notes

How to make a Safe Work Method Statement.
A Safe Work Method Statement is a document that sets out the High danger construction work (HRCW) activities to be carried out at a work environment, the risks arising from these activities and the procedures to be put in place to control the dangers to health and safety.
Tuesday, 24th May 2022.
Its main purpose is to help workers and managers to carry out and keep an eye on the control measures established to make sure the work is performed securely.

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

involves a threat of a person falling more than 2 metres (3 metres in South Australia); or.
involves demolition of a component of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical stability of the structure; or.
involves, or is most likely to include, the disturbance of asbestos; or.
involves structural modifications or repairs that require short-lived support to prevent collapse; or.
is carried out in a location at a work environment in which there is any motion of powered mobile plant; or.
is performed in or near a confined area; 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 the use of dynamites; or.
is carried out on or near pressurised gas circulation mains or piping; or.
is performed on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or.
is performed on or near energised electrical setups or services; or.
is performed in a location that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere; or.
includes tilt-up or precast concrete; or.
is carried out on, in or adjacent to a roadway, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in usage by traffic aside from pedestrians; or.
is carried out on a telecommunication tower; or.
is carried out in a location at a workplace in which there is any motion of powered mobile plant; or.
is carried out in a location in which there are synthetic extremes of temperature level; or.
is carried out in or near water or other liquid that includes a risk of drowning; or.
includes diving work.
Note: Victorian OHS guidelines have some minor variations of the above definition of HRCW.

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

Gather all pertinent information about the work.
The very first task is to determine the kinds of HRCW that the work includes and how it is to be carried out.

Learn the dangers.
Review the proposed work and info about each task to determine the risks, i.e., the events or things that might cause harm to workers or other individuals. Details, such as codes of practice or guidance material, may be offered in the site of your local workplace health and safety regulator for specific construction jobs.

Consult with the pertinent employees.
In assessment with the workers that will undertake the HRCW, their supervisors and health and safety representatives (if any) examine the regional health and safety requirements, and the proposed work.

Think about the views of workers about the risks, the prospective danger control procedures and any site-specific matters that might impact the security of the work. If there are other workers that could be affected by the work they need to also be consulted.

Keep in mind: There is a legal commitment to speak with affected workers and their health and safety representatives when identifying dangers or picking procedures to manage threat, and to take their views into account.

Select the most appropriate control procedures to eliminate or lower risks.

To pick the most suitable control procedures you need to use the 'hierarchy of control' as detailed in steps 1 to 5 below. HIA's information sheet The Hierarchy of Control discusses how the hierarchy of control applies to the requirements for managing work environment risks and threats.

You should look for to get rid of risks so far as is fairly practicable (e.g., doing as much work as possible on the ground rather than at height).
If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate dangers, you must execute any specific control measures that are compulsory by law in your State or Area.
Some workplace health and safety laws recommend particular control measures that must be looked for managing threats to health and safety developing from specific threats or activities. Examples consist of, however are not limited to, work involving asbestos, work at height, operate in confined areas. Particular requirements remain in the office health and safety laws readily available in the site of your regional workplace health and safety regulator.

After implementing step 2, if a danger stays, the danger should be lowered so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing one, or a mix of the following:.
Replacing a procedure or compound with one that is less harmful. For instance, damp sweeping instead of dry sweeping of harmful dusts such as crystalline silica.
Separating employees and other individuals from the hazard. For instance by installing barriers between workers and mobile plant.
Using engineering controls. Using a raised work platform or a scaffold to lower the risk of falling from height.
If after carrying out the above control determines a risk to health or security still stays, minimise that risk, so far as is fairly practicable, by Utilising administrative controls. This consists of, safety training, work instructions, cautioning indications and supervision.
If a danger to health or security still stays after executing the above, minimise that danger, so far as is reasonably practicable by supplying personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes Utilising protective clothing such as shatterproof glass, construction hats, gloves, breathing protection, or a mix of suitable PPE.
A mix of control steps will need to be used to minimise dangers as far as is reasonably practicable.

Writing up the SWMS - What details must be included?
A SWMS needs to:.

recognise the work that is high threat construction work.
define the risks associating with the high risk construction work and the risks to health and safety.
describe the steps to be carried out to control the dangers, and.
describe how the control measures are to be implemented, kept track of and reviewed.
For an example of how to do this see: How to finish a SWMS when Utilising silica.

The control procedures should be set out and expressed in a manner that is readily available and comprehensible to the individuals who will utilise the SWMS. Explain in clear terms how risks to health and wellness are to be managed to make it possible for the work to be done safely, and how the control steps are to be implemented.

You can use any form or template to write the SWMS, including paper and electronic formats, supplied the above details is consisted of and is easily available.

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

To learn more about SWMS and your commitments go to the website of your local office health and safety authority and search for safe work technique declarations.
swms

Website: https://occupational-safety.com.au/collections/swms