Workers learning about safe work method statement services in Queensland

Safe Work Method Statement in Queensland

Method statements are designed to outline the procedures with which specific work-related tasks should be carried out.

These documents are very common within the construction industry, but any line of work that requires detailed, actionable protocols should make use of them.

Most method statements include information like start dates and end dates of a project, a description of the project, and all potential hazards associated with the project.

Emergency procedures and monitoring guidelines should also be included. Although a mission statement may sound much like a risk assessment evaluation, the difference is that a method statement takes the information compiled in a risk evaluation and uses it to put together a guide for how to complete work safely.

Having Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) in your business is very important for a few key reasons:

Safety Planning: SWMS help plan out how to do a job safely. Think of it like a recipe for safety – it gives step-by-step instructions on how to do a task without getting hurt.

Legal Requirements: For certain high-risk jobs, having SWMS is a legal must-do. It's like wearing a seat-belt in a car – it's not just a safety practice, it's the law.

Training Tool: SWMS can be used to train workers, especially new ones, on how to do their jobs safely. It's like a guidebook that teaches employees the right way to handle dangerous tasks.

Accident Prevention: By following SWMS, accidents and injuries at work can be greatly reduced. This means a safer workplace for everyone.

Improves Work Quality: When workers follow SWMS, they are more likely to do their jobs correctly and efficiently, leading to better work quality.

Protects Business Reputation: A business that uses SWMS shows that it takes safety seriously. This can improve the business’s reputation and can be good for attracting more clients or customers.

In simple terms, SWMS are like having a detailed safety map for your business. They guide workers on how to do their jobs safely, make sure you're following the law, and help keep everyone protected from harm.

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are commonly used for a variety of machines and business practices, especially those that are considered high-risk. Here are some examples:

Construction Equipment: This includes the use of cranes, forklifts, excavators, and other heavy machinery. SWMS are crucial for operating these safely.

Electrical Work: Any work involving electrical installations or repairs, especially in construction sites or industrial settings.

Working at Heights: Activities like working on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or any elevated work platforms where there is a risk of falling.

Confined Spaces: Work in confined spaces like tanks, silos, pits, or duct work, where there are risks associated with limited space or oxygen.

Demolition Work: Practices involved in demolishing buildings or structures, which can be high-risk without proper methods and precautions.

Hazardous Chemical Handling: The use and disposal of hazardous chemicals require SWMS to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Hot Work: Activities like welding, grinding, or any work involving flames or heat, which pose fire and burn hazards.

Manual Handling: Tasks that involve heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying, which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.

Use of Power Tools: Operating power tools such as saws, drills, and grinders, which can be dangerous without proper safety methods.

Asbestos Removal: Given the health risks associated with asbestos, any removal work requires strict safety protocols outlined in SWMS.

These are just a few examples, but SWMS can be developed for any task that has potential health and safety risks. The key is to assess the specific risks associated with each task or piece of equipment and develop a method statement that addresses those risks to ensure a safe working environment.