What is a safe work method statement (SWMS)
A safe work method statement (SWMS) is a safety planning document that must be developed for work that is considered high risk construction work under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017.
A SWMS must be site-specific and made available to workers, supervisors and any other persons at the workplace, so they can understand the hazards, risks and safety controls that must be used to keep workers and others safe.
A SWMS is intended to be a simple safe system planning and implementation tool, used by supervisors and workers to stay safe on construction sites when undertaking high risk construction work.
When is a SWMS required
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to have a SWMS prepared for high risk construction work before that work commences.
Who needs to complete a SWMS
A PCBU that carries out high risk construction work must ensure a SWMS is prepared, or has already been prepared by another person, such as another PCBU.
If more than one PCBU is involved, then each PCBU must consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other PCBUs.
For example, a sub-contracting business may be working on a construction site for a principal contractor (PC). The sub-contractor will need to develop the SWMS for the high risk construction work they are undertaking, taking into account circ*mstances that may affect the way in which high risk construction work is carried out and the construction projects’ WHS management plan. The SWMS must be developed in consultation with the PC to ensure agreed controls are appropriate and in place prior to the activity commencing.
What should be included in a SWMS
As a minimum, the SWMS must:
- identify the work that is high risk construction work (e.g. work that involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres)
- specify the hazards (e.g. working on a roof) and associated risks (e.g. a fall from the roof)
- describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks (e.g. roof rails)
- describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed (e.g. who will arrange for the install of the roof rails, who will check the roof rails are installed correctly, the job sequence, safe access to the roof, communication and site induction for roof workers, supervision, intermittent checking of the rails, review of work required for any additional controls, such as work extending to a section with skylights now requiring skylight covers etc.)
- be understood by all persons using the document.
In developing the SWMS, ensure you consider the site conditions and specifics e.g. site access/egress, proximity to other structures or powerlines, ground conditions, other trades/or activities happening at the same time or access to safety equipment.
You don’t need to include activities that are not defined as high risk construction work in a safe work method statement.
Here is a SWMS template and some examples of SWMS:
- Safe work method statement for demolition work - SafeWork NSW
- High risk construction work method statement - SafeWork NSW
- Construction work Code of Practice - SafeWork NSW
- Interactive SWMS guidance tool - Safe Work Australia
Using a generic SWMS
A generic SWMS may be prepared and used for high risk construction work activities that are carried out on a regular basis.
To ensure the SWMS complies with the WHS legislation, it must be reviewed and take into account site-specific hazards and risks.
Do you need a separate SWMS for each high risk construction work activity
One SWMS can be prepared to cover a number of high risk construction work activities.
Alternatively, a separate SWMS can be prepared for each high risk construction work activity. If developing separate SWMS, always consider or cross reference situations where different activities may impact each other, for example, work involving the risk of falls greater than 2 metres during the removal of asbestos roof sheeting.
Implementing and reviewing a SWMS
High risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
The PCBU must ensure:
- the controls are in place prior to the activity commencing
- the hazards, risks and controls are communicated to workers
- if the work is not being conducted in accordance with the SWMS, then work must cease immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so
- the SWMS is reviewed
- work must not resume until the work can be carried out in accordance with the (reviewed if necessary) SWMS.
A SWMS must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective. Reviews of SWMS should also occur when there are changes to:
- the high risk construction work process
- the site work environment, where new or unforeseen hazards and risks are evident
- the controls.
The review process should be carried out in consultation with other PCBUs, workers (including contractors and sub-contractors) and relevant workgroup health and safety representatives.
Where should I keep a SWMS
The SWMS should be kept and made available at the workplace where the high risk construction work will be carried out and until the work in which it relates is completed. A SWMS can also be kept electronically, if it is readily available to workers.
For more information on SWMS and working safely in construction, see the:
- Building and Construction page
- Housing industry site safety pack
