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What is a SWMS or Safe Work Method Statement?

Below quoted in part from the Safe Work fact sheet found here.

A Safe Work Method Statements or SWMS is a document that sets out the high risk construction work activities to be carried out at a workplace, the hazards arising from these activities and the measures to be put in place to control the risks. One SWMS can be used for work that involves multiple high risk construction work activities, for example a work activity that requires using powered mobile plant, working at heights of more than 2 metres and working adjacent to a road used by traffic other than pedestrians. A Safe Work Method Statement is classed as an administrative control and is used to support higher order controls to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety, for example engineering controls. A Safe Work Method Statements is generally different from other documents that focus on specific tasks or processes, such as a Job Safety Analysis or a Safe Operating Procedure. A Safe Work Method Statements is not intended to be a procedure—rather it is a tool to help supervisors and workers confirm and monitor the control measures required at the workplace.

What information must be included in a SWMS? A SWMS must: „

identify the work that is high risk construction work „ specify hazards relating to the high risk construction work and the risks to health and safety „ describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks, and „ describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.