A Safe Work Method Statement is a document that identifies high-risk construction work activities, the hazards associated with those activities, and the measures that will be implemented to control those hazards. Unlike a general risk assessment, an SWMS is specific to a type of high-risk work and must be prepared before that work begins.
WHEN AN SWMS IS LEGALLY REQUIRED
Under the model WHS Regulations adopted across Australian states and territories, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who carries out or directs high-risk construction work must ensure an SWMS is prepared before that work starts. High-risk construction work includes work that involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres, work in or near a confined space, work involving demolition of a structure or element of a structure, work that may disturb or remove asbestos, work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere, and work involving structural alterations that require temporary support.
In the restoration industry, SWMS obligations arise frequently: mould remediation involving removal of wall linings (demolition of structure elements), work in confined spaces such as subfloor voids or ceiling spaces, work involving suspected asbestos-containing materials in pre-1990 buildings, and any work at height above two metres.
Even when an SWMS is not legally mandated, preparing one for any high-risk restoration task is best practice that demonstrates due diligence and significantly reduces WHS liability exposure.
PREPARING A COMPLIANT AND USEFUL SWMS
A compliant SWMS must not be a generic template completed without reference to the actual job. A site-specific SWMS is completed by a person with knowledge of the specific work and the specific site. This requires a site walk before the SWMS is completed. Hazards that are not identified during the site walk will not be in the SWMS. An SWMS completed from a template in an office is not compliant and does not protect the business or its workers.
The SWMS must identify: the work activity being carried out, the location where the work will be carried out, who will carry out the work, the high-risk construction work elements involved, the specific hazards associated with each work step, the risk controls that will be implemented for each hazard, the PPE required, the emergency procedures applicable to this work, and the names and signatures of all workers who have reviewed and understood the document before commencing work.
IMPLEMENTING SWMS IN A RESTORATION BUSINESS
Develop SWMS templates for the high-risk activities your business carries out regularly. Templates provide a starting point for the site-specific document — not a finished product. For each job requiring an SWMS, take the relevant template to the site, conduct the site walk, add site-specific hazards and conditions, confirm all control measures are in place, brief all workers on the SWMS content, obtain signatures, and file the completed document in the job record.
Review SWMS whenever conditions change during the work — if a new hazard is identified, if the scope of work changes, or if a near-miss or incident occurs. A SWMS that does not reflect actual site conditions at any point during the work is not compliant.
Workers have the right to stop work if they believe the work creates an unacceptable health or safety risk. If a worker raises a safety concern on a job with an SWMS in place, the work must stop, the concern must be assessed, and if valid, the SWMS must be updated and re-signed before work resumes.