Hi there, welcome to my blog where I share my insights and tips on construction projects. Today, I want to talk about Safe Work Method Statements, or SWMS for short. If you are involved in high risk construction work, you need to know what a SWMS is and why it is important.
A SWMS is a safety planning document that outlines the hazards and risks of high risk construction work, and the measures to control them. High risk construction work is any work that involves a risk of serious injury or death, such as working at heights, near powerlines, in confined spaces, or with asbestos. A SWMS is required by law under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017.
A SWMS helps you and your workers to stay safe on site by providing clear instructions on how to perform the work safely. It also helps you to comply with your legal obligations and avoid penalties or prosecution. A SWMS should be site-specific and developed in consultation with your workers and other relevant parties, such as the principal contractor or the WHS regulator.
A SWMS should include the following information:
- The work that is high risk construction work
- The hazards and risks associated with the work
- The control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks
- How the control measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed
- The roles and responsibilities of the workers and supervisors
A SWMS should be written in simple language that everyone can understand. It should be reviewed and updated regularly, especially when there are changes in the work environment or methods. A SWMS should be kept at the workplace and made available to anyone who needs to see it.
A SWMS is not only a legal requirement, but also a good practice that can help you improve your productivity, quality and reputation. By following a SWMS, you can reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, delays, defects and disputes on your construction site.
If you need help with preparing a SWMS for your high risk construction work, you can check out some of the resources available online, such as the model Code of Practice: Construction Work from Safe Work Australia, or the guidance materials from your state or territory WHS authority. You can also use some of the templates or examples provided by reputable sources, such as SafetyCulture or WorkSafe Victoria.
Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made SWMS from my online store, where I offer a range of SWMS for different types of high risk construction work. My SWMS are professionally written, compliant with the WHS laws and standards, and easy to customise for your specific needs. You can download them instantly and use them right away.
To find out more about my SWMS products and services, please visit: Salvare - Construction Templates (salvaresolutions.com)