Table of Contents
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the organisation complies with legislative requirements and, guide workers (including management) in the development and use of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS).
Policy: A2Z Services is committed to ensuring high-risk work activities that require the development of a SWMS are:
- Identified
- A SWMS is developed and maintained by workers undertaking the high-risk activity (developed in consultation with workers).
Use a SWMS for A2Z Services to:
- Outline a safe method of work for a specific activity
- Provide an instructional document that workers must read and understand before commencing the operation
- Meet legal requirements
- Provide evidence in auditing and inspection
- Satisfy contractual requirements.
Responsibilities:
At A2Z Services takes responsibility for ensuring that:
- A safe and healthy work environment is in place for all workers and others
- Workers are aware of, trained in, and understand the contents of safe work method statements
- Ensuring WHS responsibilities are appropriately defined
- Provide managers and workers with the training and resources needed to carry out their WHS responsibilities.
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Procedure
Develop SWMS in consultation with all relevant persons and risk assessment/controls will be developed following the Risk Management protocols outlined in this WHSMS. Train all persons involved in the task in the SWMS, and all risk controls detailed therein.
A2Z Services will ensure all SWMS comply with the requirements of the Insert applicable state legislation here. SWMS will also be used as the format to write safety instructions for general hazardous tasks undertaken under this project using the same criteria for compliance with current WHS Regulations. SWMS will be site/task specific and detail all steps involved in the job.
SWMS will be collected and provided to the Principal Contractor and copies of current SWMS will be accessible to all relevant persons – including Duty Holders/Contractors. SWMS for each task will be kept for the duration of the project or until work relating to the particular SWMS is completed.
If a notifiable incident occurs concerning the SWMS, it will be kept for two years after the incident and made available for inspection by HSR’s and Government –appointed Inspectors as required.
Review all SWMS on a regular basis and if necessary, revised:
- If the results of consultation indicate that a review is needed, or if a health and safety representative requests a review
- After an incident or near-miss (control measure was not effective in controlling the risk)
- If the task/activity changes
- Identified new hazard or risk
- Where the equipment or plant used in the SWMS changes
- If there is a change to legislation, standards or codes of practice
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Register (OR0024) will be used to track the number and type of SWMS and review timeframes.
Forms and Registers
| Document Number | Document Name |
| OF0026 | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)Checklist |
| OF0030 | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)Template |
| OR0024 | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)Register |
Amendment Record
Issue#: 1 Issue Date: 13/7/2022
| Rev# | Date | Section# | Para.# | Description of Change | Prepared By | Approved By |
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 |
Disclaimer: This documentcontains material to assist in meeting environmental management, Work Health and Safety and Quality obligations under the International Standard ISO AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016,14001:2016 and other legislative bodies. This document contains material sourced from Safe Work Australia. Any such material remains subject to copyright © Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/copyright. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication, it is provided as guidance only and does not provide legal advice on meeting your obligations. This document and its contents are © A2Z services 2018 and or the originating source authors and no permission is given for its duplication or copying, in part or in its entirety, for use outside its original purposes as stated within the company.