There requires to be more clearness around SWMS files and their usage, and we want to supply that. Whether you use them in high-risk construction or somewhere else, they can be one of your most effective and effective control procedures, and when you do SWMSs well, almost everything else you do will tend to follow.

Let’s quickly look at the following:

What they are.
Why are they main to your WHS or OH&S system.
How they are different from a J.S.A. and S.O.P
. What must an SWMS include?
Who is responsible?
Using SWMSs in high-risk construction.
When they’re requested elsewhere.
Some industry package and system solutions.
WHAT IS A SWMS?
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a file that explains how specific workplace activities are to be performed. The document determines:

The actions being satisfied.
Associated threats,
The risks they produce, and
How to control those dangers.
WHY ARE SWMS CENTRAL TO YOUR WHS SYSTEM?
There are 2 reasons why SWMS files are main to your system. Firstly, in particular circumstances, they are required. They are effective, effective and useful in their execution.

An SWMS is required whenever high-risk building and construction work is performed (as specified by the WHS. Act, which we’ll discuss soon). This implies the Person Carrying out a Business or Endeavor (the PCBU) need to guarantee the preparation, following, and retention of these SWMS and their regular and systematic review.

SWMSs are likewise one of the most reliable of all control procedures. They are the most common and prominent of administrative controls. When their use becomes a work-culture centrepiece, they can powerfully make it possible for and evidence your responsibility of care observance and due diligence compliance.

Enabling yourself a little creative imagination, believe about how you manage dangers as being like strapping on a bulletproof vest. Your Safe Work Approach Statements (SWMS) are like those velcro straps that hold the vest comfortably and efficiently in place.

They can be exaggerated. More on that quickly.

HOW IS A SWMS DIFFERENT FROM A J.S.A. OR S.O.P.?
A Job Security Analysis (J.S.A.) and a Safe Operating Treatment (S.O.P.) are more focused than a SWMS. They concentrate on separated tasks and procedures. An SWMS is various since:

It is more comprehensive in its treatment of activities,
It is extremely concentrated on identifying and keeping an eye on control procedures.
It can cover both specific activities as well as mix and complex activities (which most high-risk building work activities are).
WHAT MUST AN SWMS INCLUDE?
Safe Work Technique Statements (SWMS) are simply one of different available risk control procedures. When utilized effectively, they bring structure and stability to other WHS.

Like straps on a bulletproof vest, they help other controls work and empower the individuals who utilize them. A safe work approach statement does this by offering the needed information, directions, and a method of recording actions in a predictable and fuss-free format.

Determine the High-Risk Building Work (HRCW) function – if it is one.
Determine hazards and hazardous work practices.
Information the very best control steps, along with backup controls.
Describe what enters into the implementation of danger management plans.
Information the person or organization doing the work and the individual accountable.
At a building project, detail the primary professional, worksite address, the date of preparation and when supplied to the primary specialist.
Note the names of employees sought advice from, the dates and the signatures.
Show any evaluation date and summarise any modifications made.
SWMS risk control methods, as per the hierarchy of control, generally look for to:.

Remove threats (perhaps by using engineering controls),.
Lower them (for example, by producing traffic passages),.
Administratively minimise them (e.g. by SWMS) and/or.
Recommend Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A properly designed SWMS template is easy to prepare, straightforward for pertinent workers to carry out, and will allow an effective and effective review procedure. That is what our SWMS templates do.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
When a safe work approach statement is needed, the PCBU should prepare it; where there is more than one PBCU, or the work costs $250,000 or more, a Principal Specialist (PC) is selected. This person is then responsible for collecting, examining, keeping track of and evaluating any SWMS in place.

A PC and PCBU can entrust processes and work activities, BUT the duty for SWMS quality and execution stays with them.

The Principal Contractor (or PCBU where there is not a P.C.) is accountable for:.

Preparing SWMS documents prior to work starts,.
Guaranteeing anybodies included satisfy their duties regularly,.
Determining and controlling threats and risks as per the file, and.
Evaluating and changing the SWMS for continuous efficiency gradually (Note: employees need to be sought advice from – consisting of specialists and subcontractors).
SAFE WORK TECHNIQUE STATEMENTS AND HIGH-RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK (HRCW).
Both Australia’s Work Health and wellness Regulations (2011) and the Model WHS Laws (last updated in 2022) need utilizing SWMS files for a variety of high-risk building work activities. Specifically, Guideline 291 details 19 High-Risk Category activities and an SWMS should be prepared before any such work is undertaken.

You can follow the Regulation 291 link to see the particular list, but for ease of understanding, we’ll summarise them as follows.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED HIGH-RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK?
There are 19 activities categorized as high-risk construction work (HRCW), and they all include risks and risks with significant potential for significant harm. For clarity, we reduce this 19-item list into five threat groupings. They are activities that:.

It may result in falling,.
Might develop due to distance (or being close to something/someone),.
Arise from the use of a powered mobile plant, particular equipment or products,.
Are common when handling particular structures and services, and.
Occur in a series of ecological specifics.
To break this down more specifically, these 5 activity groups involve the following circumstances: an SWMS is required in such scenarios:.

When there is a risk of an individual falling more than two metres or falling under a trench or shaft of excavated depth greater than 1.5 m.
If somebody could drown by falling under a liquid, a structural collapse or as a result of diving work.
Where structural alterations are utilized to prevent a collapse.
Wherever a tunnel is included.
When powered mobile plant work is being done or the plant is being moved.
If rail traffic or nearby road users could be damaged.
Whenever asbestos is being interrupted or eliminated.
If tilt-up or precast concrete work is being done.
Wherever dynamites are used or demolition work is being carried out.
When work happens on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines, energised electrical services, pressurised gas circulation mains, piping or telecommunications towers.
If a work space might have an infected or combustible atmosphere, synthetic temperature extremes or a restricted area.
A safe work technique statement must be kept in these prescribed situations. The SWMS can be specific to each high-risk building work product or encompass many items in a single SWMS. The most crucial thing to remember is that these hazards are determined, and the threats are controlled.

If you wish to see the detailed list, follow this Regulation 291 link.

WHAT IF YOU’RE REQUESTED FOR A SWMS FOR ANOTHER ACTIVITY?
It’s not unusual for clients to specify separate SWMS that exceed the legal minimums for building and construction tasks – and it doesn’t matter whether the tender procedure is open, worked out, selective or staged. These extraordinary expectations can consist of requests for safe work technique declarations beyond the stated high-risk construction work activities. We understand from discussions with our clients that this is increasingly occurring which there needs to be more clearness around the problem.

These expectations and confusion aren’t assisted by SWMS template suppliers that don’t inform you their additional offerings are not needed or who oversell with needless SWMS documents. Both are practices we do refrain from doing.

We always inform our customers that there are two forms of compliance; what is legally required and what your customers anticipate. Both are extremely real and appropriate to win work!

WHEN CLIENTS ASK FOR MORE.
They’re paying for the work, so they can state whatever control determines they want. Theoretically, they can even require a SWMS for taking a dump (and no, we’re not talking about rubbish elimination).

When the marketplace demands additional SWMS or industry control determines change, we generally swiftly resolve the requirement. In some cases we likewise develop specific solutions for particular clients. At other times we have helped them use a generic SWMS template to meet the need. Eventually, we aim to be as handy as we can afford to be.

There have actually also been times when we have actually coached our consumers on challenging the tender requirement, and sometimes, changes result. Often it is a sincere error by an overzealous tender writer, and when the proposed procedures are pleasantly questioned, they are withdrawn. Numerous do not understand the policies and know there are less laborious approaches of handling threats to health and safety.

Here, as always, we advise you talk with us. Call 1800 304 336 to delight in higher clarity and effectiveness in your purchase journey.

An SWMS is required whenever high-risk construction work is carried out (as specified by the WHS. Safe Work Approach Statements (SWMS) are simply one of different offered danger control procedures. Like straps on a bulletproof vest, they assist other controls work and empower the people who utilize them. The SWMS can be specific to each high-risk building and construction work product or include many products in a single SWMS. These extraordinary expectations can include requests for safe work approach declarations beyond the specified high-risk building and construction work activities.
For more information, contact:Occupational Safety SolutionsLevel 3/55 Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont NSW 20091800 304 336www.occupational-safety.com.au