Safe work method statements (SWMS) are a core part of a safety system. But exactly are they for and how they are used?
A safe work method statement, typically abbreviated down to SWMS, (pronounced “swims”) is a document that outlines the known risks present and the control measures to be implemented in order to mitigate them.
Understanding how to create and use a safe work method statement is a key component of making sure workers are protected against the risks to health and safety that can exist at a job site. This is particularly important when it comes to work at height.
When do I need a safe work method statement?
A SWMS is required to be completed when work that is deemed high-risk is proposed to be undertaken.
High risk work is defined in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW) s 291. (This applies to NSW only. Although work health and safety laws are harmonised across the country, there may be some differences in other jurisdictions.)
The regulation lists work that involves “the risk of a person falling more than 2m”, along with “on a telecommunication tower” and “in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5m” and others as being deemed to have a high degree of risk
The SWMS is to be prepared prior to the commence of work.
What should my SWMS contain?
A SWMS should contain everything a worker needs to know about the potential risks they may be exposed to onsite while undertaking work as well as the controls that have been put in place to mitigate those risks.
The regulation specifies requirements such as the hazards that exist in relation to the work as well as the risks posed to workers from those hazards. The SWMS should also describe the control measures that will be implemented to mitigate the risks and explain the process for how those controls will be monitored and reviewed.
The SWMS should also consider other activities that may be happening on site and the effect they could potentially have on the high-risk work. This can include the work being conducted by other trades along with other aspects of the site like overhead powerlines and secondary structures that could potentially impact the work and pose risk to workers.
Do I need a new SWMS for every job?
In short, yes. Every new job and every new site must have a safe work method statement developed that considers the specific hazards and risks that for that site.
However, there are many cases where the type of work being undertaken, and the hazards associated with it can be repeated. In these cases, a generic SWMS can be prepared and used that lists out those risks.
For example, the Height Safety Engineers installation team have a generic SWMS used that outlines the risks and controls for accessing roofs that do not have a fall protection system installed on them. This allows them to safely access the roof as part of their work to install one.
That SWMS is then adapted to suit the specific risks that may exist on any given site. This can include heavily pitched roofs, existence of non-trafficable areas, plant and other equipment that could be on site.
Who is responsible for creating a SWMS?
The person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is responsible for creating and administering the safe work method statement.
In many situations, especially on construction and building sites, there may be more than one PCBU. In these cases, the safe work method statement must be developed to take into account not only the specific work undertaken but also what affects the work may have on others, as well as the effect others may have on the work.
Collaboration between all levels of the contractual chain is a vital part of ensuring the SWMS is adequate and will ensure workers are protected against risk.
Collaboration with workers and supervisors is also critical, as those are the people with direct exposure to the risks associated with workplace hazards. As such, they are typically well-placed to understand how work can made safe while being completed.
Does a SWMS need to look a particular way?
No, as long as all the relevant information is present and easy for a worker to read and understand then the exact format does not matter.
That said, most workplace safety regulators have templates available on their websites that can be used as a starting point for developing your own.
- SafeWork NSW
- WorkSafe Victoria
- WorkSafe Tasmania
- SafeWork SA
- NT WorkSafe
- WorkSafe Western Australia
- WorkSafe ACT
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