Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) General Information

Unlocking Safety: Understanding Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

In any workplace, safety is paramount. From construction sites to office environments, ensuring the well-being of employees and visitors is a fundamental responsibility of employers. Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) serve as a crucial tool in achieving this objective, providing a systematic approach to identifying and mitigating hazards in the workplace.

It is important for a SWMS to reflect the specific circumstances of the workplace in which it will operate.
Understanding SWMS involves grasping high-risk tasks, identifying hazards, and implementing effective control measures.

Comprehending SWMS

Safe Work Method Statements, often abbreviated as SWMS, are documents that outline the high-risk construction work activities, hazards involved, and the control measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of workers and others affected by the work.

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.

These statements are a legal requirement in many jurisdictions and are typically required before commencing any high-risk construction work (HRCW).

When is it necessary to have a SWMS?

You must prepare a SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) before the work commences. 

For all other construction activities a SWMS is not required. However, a PCBU must manage risks to health and safety by eliminating or minimising risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

 
Compliance with Workplace Health and Safety laws ensures a safe and secure environment for all employees.

Under the WHS act you must prepare a SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work. 

There are 18 high risk construction work activities defined in the WHS Regulations.

  • Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
  • Likely to involve disturbing asbestos
  • Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m or a tunnel
  • Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
  • Tilt-up or precast concrete elements
  • Work in areas with artificial extremes of temperature
  • Work on a telecommunication tower
  • Temporary load-bearing support for structural alterations or repairs
  • Use of explosives
  • Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
  • Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians
  • Work in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning
  • Demolition of load-bearing structure
  • Work in or near a confined space
  • Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping
  • Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
  • Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
  • Diving work
Eliminating the hazard and risk is the highest level of control in the hierarchy.
A SWMS must be site-specific and made available to workers, supervisors and any other persons at the workplace.

Key Components of SWMS

Description of Work:

SWMS begin with a clear description of the high-risk construction work to be undertaken. This includes details such as the location, duration, and specific tasks involved.

Hazards Identification:

The next step involves identifying potential hazards associated with the work. These may include physical hazards (such as falls or electrical hazards), chemical hazards, biological hazards, or ergonomic hazards.

Risk Assessment:

Once hazards are identified, a risk assessment is conducted to evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm that could result from these hazards. This helps prioritize control measures.

Control Measures:

SWMS detail the control measures that will be implemented to eliminate or minimize the risks identified. This may include engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Monitoring and Review:

SWMS should also outline procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of control measures and for reviewing and updating the SWMS as necessary. This ensures that safety remains a priority throughout the duration of the work.

 

 

Implementing and reviewing a SWMS

High risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with the SWMS.

A SWMS must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective.

SWMS must be formally reviewed & updated whenever:

  • a significant change to task or activity is identified
  • an incident occurs relating to the task or
    activity
  • a significant hazard is identified relating to
    the task or activity

 

It is a good idea to perform and document a task observation and safety inspection to ensure the work is being carried out in accordance with the SWMS

Review the SWMS at a minimum of 3 monthly intervals
A generic SWMS is not acceptable unless further work is done to make it 'site-specific'.

Can I use a ‘generic’ SWMS?

A generic SWMS used at different workplaces may not meet the requirements of the WHS laws unless it has first been reviewed to take into account the hazards and risks at the specific workplace and amended as necessary.  

A SWMS must reflect the specific circumstances of the workplace in which it will operate.

Penalties for non-compliance.

Under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws in Australia, penalties for not completing a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) can vary based on the specific circumstances and the jurisdiction.

 

In NSW uder the WHS Regulations, Division 2 High risk construction work—safe work method statements
299 Safe work method statement required for high risk construction work
(1) A person conducting a business or undertaking that includes the carrying out of high risk construction work must, before high risk construction work commences, ensure that a safe work method statement for the proposed work—
(a) is prepared, or
(b) has already been prepared by another person.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of an individual—70 penalty units , or
(b) in the case of a body corporate—345 penalty units.

In NSW in 2024 the value of a penalty unit is $110.00. So, 345 Penalty Units = $37,950.00

This value may change over time, so it’s essential to verify the most up-to-date information from official sources.

Build a Site-Specific SWMS with JSEAsy

A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

Creating Site-Specific SWMS Reports with JSEAsy Safety Management Software

Creating a site-specific SWMS is easy using JSEAsy . Once created, you can print/ save a pdf of either a full or simplified SWMS report. 

Download an example of a full SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Download an example of a simplified SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

The JSEAsy software comes preloaded with hundreds of templates (job steps) to build your site-specific SWMS with.

Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (PERA) are also included in all versions.

The JSEAsy Premium EHS Software is your total WHS management system.

The JSEAsy safety management software is available for download and install on a PC, or hosted in the cloud

There are over 1000 SWMS templated for multiple industries included in the JSEAsy EHS Software.
JSEAsy EHS software available for download or cloud hosted.

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Save time and Money!

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Management Software, not only to get all of the templates specifically for your industry, but you also get all of the templates for all of the other industries and trades as well. 

You will also benefit from many of the other industry templates.

Order Now!
Thousands of SWMS templates included in the JSEAsy SWMS software.

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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