A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a crucial document in the construction industry, especially for high-risk construction work (HRCW). Its primary role is to outline the specific hazards and risks associated with HRCW activities and provide a detailed plan for managing and mitigating those risks.<\/p>\n
SWMS acts as a practical guide for workers and supervisors, ensuring they understand the safe procedures and controls required to carry out their tasks safely.<\/p>\n
By clearly identifying potential dangers and prescribing control measures, SWMS helps prevent accidents, injuries, and even fatalities on construction sites.<\/p>\n
It is also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, reinforcing its significance in ensuring workplace safety and regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n
Regularly reviewing and updating SWMS ensures its effectiveness in addressing evolving risks and maintaining a safe working environment.<\/p>\n
In this exclusive blog, we discuss SWMS in detail and shed light on how it can help construction businesses.<\/p>\n
High-risk construction work encompasses activities that entail specific hazards. These activities involve:<\/p>\n
1) Working at heights exceeding 2 meters, especially near roadways or railways frequented by road or rail traffic.<\/p>\n
2) Engaging in tasks over or near bodies of water or liquids where there’s a risk of drowning.<\/p>\n
3) Operating in workplaces where powered mobile plant movement is prevalent.<\/p>\n
4) Carrying out structural alterations necessitating temporary support to prevent collapse.<\/p>\n
5) Working in environments with extreme temperature variations.<\/p>\n
6) Performing tasks near energized electrical installations or services.<\/p>\n
7) Tasks involving trenches or shafts deeper than 1.5 meters.<\/p>\n
8) Proximity to pressurised gas distribution mains or piping.<\/p>\n
9) Engaging in demolition work.<\/p>\n
10) Undertaking activities in confined spaces.<\/p>\n
11) Working near chemical, fuel, or refrigerant lines.<\/p>\n
12) Handling tilt-up or precast concrete.<\/p>\n
13) Tasks on telecommunications towers.<\/p>\n
14) Diving-related activities.<\/p>\n
15) Tasks involving the removal or disturbance of asbestos.<\/p>\n
16) Working in areas potentially contaminated or with a flammable atmosphere.<\/p>\n
17) Engaging in activities requiring the use of explosives.<\/p>\n
18) Tasks related to tunnels.<\/p>\n
These activities demand heightened precautions and safety measures due to their inherent risks.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, it’s essential to involve individuals most knowledgeable about the High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) activity when developing the Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). This includes affected employees and their Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).<\/p>\n
1) Employers<\/b><\/p>\n
The employer of the employees planning to engage in High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
2) Self-employed Persons<\/b><\/p>\n
The self-employed individuals, in cases where they or their contracted workers plan to perform High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
3) Labour Hire<\/b><\/p>\n
The employer and the host employer of employees planning to engage in High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
1) Duty holders, which encompass employers and self-employed individuals, have the responsibility to ensure that HRCW aligns with the SWMS.<\/p>\n
2) If there is non-compliance with the SWMS, HRCW must cease immediately, or as soon as it’s safe to do so. HRCW cannot recommence until it adheres to a compliant SWMS, or the SWMS undergoes a review and necessary revisions.<\/p>\n
3) Duty holders, in collaboration with affected employees and their Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), must periodically review and update the SWMS whenever changes occur in the HRCW or when there are indications that risks are inadequately managed.<\/p>\n
4) Duty holders are obligated to retain a copy of the SWMS for the entire duration of the HRCW.<\/p>\n
5) The SWMS should be easily accessible at the HRCW site for reference by affected individuals or for review and revisions as needed. Electronic copies may also be maintained for convenience.<\/p>\n
Below given are the steps to prepare a SWMS:<\/p>\n
1) Gather the pertinent employees, including their Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and supervisors, ideally at the site where the planned work will take place.<\/p>\n
2) Thoroughly assess the planned works and take into account any site-specific variables that could affect the project. Identify all intended High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) activities and compile a comprehensive list of associated hazards and risks.<\/p>\n
3) Carefully choose the risk control measures and provide detailed descriptions alongside each of the identified hazards and risks.<\/p>\n
4) Regularly evaluate, review, and update the Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) if any changes occur on-site, such as alterations in weather conditions or modifications to the scope of work.<\/p>\n
5) Handwritten amendments can be made directly on-site as necessary.<\/p>\n
To effectively manage the hazards associated with High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW), employers should follow the hierarchy of control, which involves:<\/p>\n
Whenever reasonably practicable, eliminate risks entirely.<\/p>\n
After elimination, focus on reducing any remaining risks by:<\/p>\n
If risks persist, introduce administrative controls, such as displaying warning signs.<\/p>\n
If risks are still present, provide and ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.<\/p>\n
It’s important to note that implementing these controls does not negate the requirement to adhere to mandated controls as stipulated by applicable regulations (e.g., the OHS Regulations 2017).<\/p>\n
A Safety and Health Risk Management System (SHRMS) should primarily address hazards and risks directly associated with High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) activities. While it’s acceptable to incorporate non-HRCW hazards and risks if deemed beneficial, this inclusion should not be excessive to the extent that it dilutes the intended emphasis on HRCW.<\/p>\n
A \u2018generic SWMS\u2019 is a pre-prepared safety document designed to address a spectrum of hazards related to particular High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) activities.<\/p>\n
To make a generic SWMS suitable for a specific site, duty holders must conduct an on-site review and incorporate all relevant HRCW and associated risks before commencing work.<\/p>\n
Any content that does not pertain to the site should be excluded.<\/p>\n
Organisations should ensure to provide descriptions or names for the following:<\/p>\n
1) Identify the High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) activities that are relevant to the SWMS you are preparing. Please review all applicable HRCW activities listed on page 4 of the template.<\/p>\n
2) Clearly state the specific task or activity that will be carried out. For example, you might specify \u2018roof framing.\u2019<\/p>\n
3) Identify the hazard(s) that have the potential to cause harm. Organisations can refer to the list of 19 HRCW activities on page 1 of the template to help identify relevant hazards. For instance, you might mention hazards related to working at heights or involving excavations.<\/p>\n
4) Outline the control measures that will be implemented to prevent harm. These could include safety measures such as guardrails, scaffolding, or catch platforms. Ensure to refer to the hierarchy of control and Regulation 44 for the Falls hierarchy of control.<\/p>\n
5) Clearly designate who is responsible for implementing the specified controls. For example, an organisation might identify the foreman as responsible for ensuring the proper use of guardrails or scaffolding.<\/p>\n
It should be noted that businesses do not need to include reference other documents like Australian or Industry standards in their SWMS, as these documents can change, and employees may not have easy access to them. Additionally, it’s important to note that including a risk matrix and risk scores in an organisation\u2019s SWMS is not a legal requirement.<\/p>\n
This guide outlines the process and timing for creating a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for high-risk construction work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
It offers a flexible SWMS template that can be conveniently completed online, saved to a computer, or printed for manual completion. The template also includes sample text to facilitate the process.<\/p>\n
The document additionally provides comprehensive guidance on the following:<\/p>\n
1) Identifying the 19 activities categorized as High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
2) Specifying the responsible party for ensuring the preparation of a SWMS prior to commencing HRCW.<\/p>\n
3) Clarifying the roles and responsibilities related to SWMS duties.<\/p>\n
4) Offering a step-by-step approach to crafting a SWMS, including the selection of risk control measures.<\/p>\n
5) Defining the essential elements to incorporate within an SWMS and outlining any exclusions.<\/p>\n
Construction businesses should utilise this template and accompanying guidance to craft a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) prior to commencing High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW).<\/p>\n
Anitech\u2019s experienced consultants can not only assist organisations in understanding SWMS, but they can also help in creating a SWMS template tailored to specific business requirements.<\/p>\n
For assistance, call us today at 1300 802 163 or e-mail \u2013\u202fsales@anitechgroup.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a crucial document in the construction industry, especially for high-risk construction work (HRCW). Its primary role is to outline the specific hazards and risks associated with HRCW activities and provide a detailed plan for managing and mitigating those risks. SWMS acts as a practical guide for workers and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9163,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,174],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[253],"class_list":["post-9155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-occupational-health-safety-iso-45001"],"yoast_head":"\n