A Safe Work Method Statement is a document that sets out the High threat construction work (HRCW) activities to be performed at a workplace, the threats arising from these activities and the procedures to be put in place to control the risks to health and wellness.

Tuesday, 24th May 2022.

Its primary function is to assist workers and managers to implement and monitor the control measures established to make sure the work is performed securely.

What is ‘high danger construction work’ (HRCW)?

High danger construction work is specified in WHS regulations as construction work that:.

involves a danger of a person falling more than 2 metres (3 metres in South Australia); or.

includes demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure; or.

involves, or is most likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; or.

involves structural alterations or repairs that need short-term support to prevent collapse; or.

is performed in an area at an office in which there is any motion of powered mobile plant; or.

is performed in or near a confined area; or.

is performed in or near:.

a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1 5 metres; or.

a tunnel; or.

involves using dynamites; or.

is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; or.

is carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or.

is performed on or near energised electrical setups or services; or.

is carried out in a location that might have an infected or combustible environment; or.

involves tilt-up or precast concrete; or.

is carried out on, in or adjacent to a roadway, train, shipping lane or other traffic passage that remains in usage by traffic other than pedestrians; or.

is performed 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 performed in an area in which there are synthetic extremes of temperature; or.

is carried out in or near water or other liquid that includes a risk of drowning; or.

involves diving work.

Note: Victorian OHS guidelines have some small variations of the above meaning of HRCW.

How do I tackle preparing a SWMS?

A typical approach to developing a SWMS involves the following:.

Collect all pertinent info about the work.

The very first task is to determine the types of HRCW that the work includes and how it is to be carried out.

Discover the threats.

Review the proposed work and info about each job to figure out the hazards, i.e., the events or things that may cause damage to employees or other people. Information, such as codes of practice or assistance material, may be offered in the website of your regional office health and wellness regulator for specific construction tasks.

Talk to the appropriate employees.

In assessment with the workers that will carry out the HRCW, their managers and health and wellness representatives (if any) evaluate the local health and safety requirements, and the proposed work.

Consider the views of employees about the threats, the prospective danger control steps and any site-specific matters that might impact the security of the work. If there are other employees that could be affected by the work they need to also be sought advice from.

Note: There is a legal obligation to speak with affected employees and their health and safety agents when determining dangers or choosing procedures to manage danger, and to take their views into account.

Select the most suitable control procedures to get rid of or reduce threats.

To pick the most suitable control steps you need to apply the ‘hierarchy of control’ as detailed in steps 1 to 5 listed below. HIA’s information sheet The Hierarchy of Control explains how the hierarchy of control applies to the requirements for handling work environment hazards and risks.

You should seek to eliminate 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 get rid of threats, you should execute any specific control steps that are compulsory by law in your State or Area.

Some office health and safety laws prescribe particular control measures that should be obtained managing risks to health and safety occurring from particular hazards or activities. Examples consist of, however are not limited to, work involving asbestos, work at height, work in restricted spaces. Specific requirements remain in the workplace health and safety laws offered in the site of your regional office health and wellness regulator.

After implementing step 2, if a risk remains, the threat needs to be reduced so far as is fairly practicable by executing one, or a combination of the following:.

Substituting a process or substance with one that is less dangerous. Wet sweeping rather of dry sweeping of harmful dusts such as crystalline silica.

Isolating employees and other persons from the hazard. For example by setting up barriers between employees and mobile plant.

Utilising engineering controls. For instance, Utilising a raised work platform or a scaffold to lower the risk of falling from height.

If after implementing the above control determines a threat to health or safety still stays, reduce that threat, so far as is fairly practicable, by using administrative controls. This consists of, security training, work instructions, cautioning indications and supervision.

If a risk to health or safety still remains after executing the above, minimise that threat, up until now as is reasonably practicable by providing personal protective equipment (PPE). This consists of Utilising protective clothing such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, breathing defense, or a mix of proper PPE.

In most cases, a mix of control measures will require to be applied to minimise dangers as far as is reasonably practicable.

Writing the SWMS – What information must be included?

A SWMS needs to:.

determine the work that is high threat construction work.

specify the threats associating with the high threat construction work and the risks to health and wellness.

explain the procedures to be implemented to control the risks, and.

explain how the control procedures are to be implemented, monitored and evaluated.

For an example of how to do this see: How to complete a SWMS when using silica.

The control steps must be set out and expressed in a way that is readily available and understandable to the persons who will utilise the SWMS. Explain in clear terms how threats to health and safety are to be managed to enable the work to be done securely, and how the control steps are to be carried out.

You can utilise any form or template to come up with up the SWMS, consisting of paper and electronic formats, offered the above details is included and is easily accessible.

Can I utilise a generic SWMS?

A generic SWMS can be utilised after it has actually been examined and modified as necessary to ensure that it covers all the dangers and dangers that are present on the site where the work is to be performed. A generic SWMS needs to be reviewed/revised prior to starting the work and prior to commencing a brand-new activity or a modification in work area or situations.

To find out more about SWMS and your obligations go to the site of your local work environment health and safety authority and search for safe work approach declarations.

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