Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS Template) delivered in Microsoft Word format for easy editing.
Whether you need to get on site to start work, looking to create a safe work environment or pitching for that next big contract or government tender - the Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement is easy to customise, easy to use and integrate into your current Safety Management System. If you don't have a Safety Management System, we need to talk, seriously, you don't need to be carrying that level of risk exposure in your business - we can help.
Look, we understand that business should be rewarding and not consumed by tedious red tape. The Safe Work Method Statement Template we create is in an easy to understand format, while at the same time being some of the highest quality documents in the industry. Our SWMS documents get you onsite, save you loads of time and are very user-friendly. This way, you can get on with doing what you do best.
The Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the following Job Steps, including potential hazards, control measures and risk ratings:
Risk Assessment Matrix | Hierarchy of Controls | PPE | Emergency Response
Your Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement is ready to be used in three easy steps:
Your SWMS is now read to use, and may also be used as training materials for work related activities such as Workplace Inductions or WHS-OHS Toolbox Meeting Talks.
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See an example of a Safe Work Method Statement Template below. All our SWMS Template documents are comprehensive in nature, easy to use, and are a huge time saver. Our Safe Work Method Statement Templates are quick and easy to customise to your specific business or operation and are perfectly suited for every day use, for larger contracts and tenders right through to qualifying for contractor management platforms such as CM3.
A SWMS is a document that outlines the high-risk construction work activities that will be performed at a workplace, the hazards that will be present as a result of these activities, and the controls that will be implemented to mitigate the risks.
A single SWMS can be utilised for numerous high-risk construction work activities, such as employing powered mobile plant, working at heights of more than 2 metres, and working near to a road that is used by traffic other than pedestrians.
A SWMS is an administrative control that is used to support higher-order controls, such as engineering controls, that are designed to remove or reduce hazards to health and safety.
A SWMS differs from other documentation such as a Job Safety Analysis or a Safe Operating Procedure in that it focuses on specific jobs or processes. A SWMS isn't meant to be a procedure; rather, it's a tool for supervisors and workers to check and monitor the workplace control measures. For high-risk work activities, a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or check that one has been prepared before starting work. It is important to note that before any work process has started, a SWMS must be prepared.
A PCBU, on the other hand, also must manage health and safety hazards by eliminating or reducing them as much as possible. Before beginning any work on a project, the principal contractor must also obtain a copy of the SWMS.
A Safe Work Method Statement should identify high-risk work and any specify hazards related to high-risk construction work as well as any health and safety risks. The SWMS should describe the risk-control measures to be implemented, monitored, and reviewed and also should describe how the risk-control measures will be effective at reducing or eliminating the risk, and how they will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed.
A Safe Work Method Statement should be concise and focus on outlining the specific risks identified for the high-risk work to be performed, as well as the control measures to be implemented to ensure that the work is completed safely.
A long and overly complex Safe Work Method Statement which could be difficult to comprehend, implement and monitor or review may be confusing for workers to mentally digest and therefore is not ideal in helping to reduce or eliminate risks in the workplace. It is imperative that workers, and especially those who do not speak English, are able to understand the Safe Work Method Statement. Consider having pictures or diagrams added to the SWMS as a more effective way of presenting information contained within the SWMS.
The SWMS should also contain other regulatory requirements to protect health and safety of all personnel, such as controlling noise exposure and manual job risks. Also, keep in mind that evidence of a completed risk assessment may be required by the regulator or for auditing reasons if the Safe Work Method Statement is based on a workplace-specific risk assessment.
In collaboration with workers who will be directly engaged in the activity, the person responsible for carrying out the work is usually best equipped to prepare the SWMS document. In most cases, this means that a Safe Work Method Statement is created by the builder for his or her employees, or by the subcontractor for their employees.
To establish who is in the best position to prepare the Safe Work Method Statement, the principle contractor, builder, and/or subcontractors should decide who will take responsibility for the SWMS.
It's also a requirement that all managers, contractors, supervisors, and workers be involved in the creation of a Safe Work Method Statement. Workers must be consulted so that they understand the SWMS in depth and what they must do to establish and maintain risks and implement control measures to manage the risk. Sharing information and utilising workers' knowledge and experience may also aid in ensuring that the task is completed in accordance with the SWMS.
If your workplace has a Health and Safety Representative, they should also be contacted while creating a Safe Work Method Statement.
Before beginning work, a principal contractor must take all reasonable steps to obtain a SWMS from any contractor performing high-risk work. If no SWMS exists, the principal contractor must arrange for one to be created, for example by the contractor or subcontractor.
A general contractor should establish plans to ensure that high-risk work is carried out safely and in compliance with the Safe Work Method Statement. This can be done by keeping an eye on how the SWMS is being implemented on the ground.
The principal contractors' WHS management plan must also include detailed arrangements for collecting, assessing, monitoring, and reviewing the SWMS, according to the WHS Regulations.
If you're looking to write your own Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement, the first step is to create the document as a Safe Work Method Statement Template. This way, you can use the same SWMS Template and then adjust the document for each different hazardous substances project as needed, making sure that your Hazardous Substances SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks.
The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Hazardous Substances SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own hazardous substances SWMS.
Note: The Hazardous Substances SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection at least until the hazardous substances work is completed. Where the Hazardous Substances SWMS is revised, all versions of theSWMS Template should be kept. If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the Hazardous Substances Safe Work Method Statement, the Hazardous Substances SWMS must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of the incident.
The Hazardous Substances SWMS must be reviewed continually to ensure it remains effective and relevant. The Hazardous Substances SWMS must be reviewed (and revised if necessary) if relevant control measures in relation to hazardous substances work are revised. The review process should be carried out in consultation with workers (including contractors and subcontractors) who may be affected by the Hazardous Substances and their health and safety representatives who represented that work group at the workplace.
When preparing your Hazardous Substances SWMS, here are some topics you might want to also include to ensure you have covered as many risks and hazards as possible.
When writing your Hazardous Substances SWMS, establish any policies, procedures and systems for working with Hazardous Substances in consultation with the Principal Contractor and workers while being sure to establish:
Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when working with hazardous substances and ensure that:
Ensure all workers have the appropriate licenses in conducting Hazardous Substances as well as any qualifications that may be required for various hazardous substances projects before starting work. If White Cards are required, retain copies of all cards, licenses and qualifications of personnel.
All personnel must:
National: View the Model Codes of Practice for Excavation Work on Safe Work Australia's website here.
Victoria: Victoria's Code of Practice for Excavation Work may be viewed on Work Safe Victoria's website here.
