How to Write a Safe Work Method Statement 

If you're looking to write your own Sharps – Handling And Disposal 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 SWMSTemplate and then adjust the document for each different sharps – handling and disposal project as needed, making sure that your Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks.

The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own sharps – handling and disposal SWMS.

There are some fundamental requirements and information which you may want to consider adding to your Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS such as: 

• Details of the person(s) responsible for making sure implementation, monitoring and compliance of the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS as well as any reviews and modifications.
• Any information detailing safety meetings or toolbox talks in relation to sharps – handling and disposal work, scheduled in accordance with legislative requirements to first identify any site hazards where the sharps– handling and disposal work is being conducted, secondly, communicate the risks and hazards and then take steps to eliminate or control each hazard in relation to the sharps – handling and disposal work being done.
• Any changes added to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS after an incident or a near miss.

Note: The Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection at least until the sharps – handling and disposal work is completed. Where the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS is revised, all versions of the SWMS Template should be kept. If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal Safe Work Method Statement, the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of the incident.

Your Sharps – Handling And Disposal Safe Work Method Statement Template should list any high risk construction work, such as: 

• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve a risk of a person falling more than 2 meters?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out on or near pressurised gas mains or piping?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out on a telecommunication tower?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve demolition of an element related to the physical integrity of a structure?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve tilt-up or precast concrete?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve structural alteration or repair that requires temporary support to prevent collapse?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in or near a confined space?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in an area of a workplace where there is any movement of powered mobile plant?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in/near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5m or tunnel involving use of explosives?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in areas with artificial extremes of temperature?
• Is the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in the Sharps– Handling And Disposal SWMS carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning?
• Does the sharps – handling and disposal work outlined in theSharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS involve diving work? 

Your Sharps – Handling And Disposal Safe Work Method Statement should also identify any high-risk machinery or equipment in operation near the work site, such as:

• Forklift
• Crane
• Hoist
• Working In Public Areas
• Backhoe
• Loader
• Boom Lift
• Elevated Work Platform (EWP)
• Genie Lift
• Trencher
• Drilling Rig
• Trucks
• Formwork
• Bobcat
• Flammable Gas
• Fuel
• Dozer
• High Voltage
• Mulcher
• Tilt-up Panels
• Roller
• Scissor Lift
• Tractor 

Your Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS should also list any Personal Protective Equipment such as:

• Foot Protection - Boots or closed in shoes
• Hand Protection - Gloves
• Head Protection - Hard hat or helmet
• Hearing Protection - Ear plugs or ear muffs
• Eye Protection - Safety glasses, goggles or face shields
• Respiratory Protection - Face masks etc
• Face Protection - Face shield, welding mask etc
• High Visual Clothing
• Protective Clothing - Overalls etc
• Fall Protection - Safety harness, edge protection etc
• Sun Protection - Sunscreen, hat etc
• Hair and Jewellery Secured - Hair Net, etc 

The Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS must be reviewed continually to ensure it remains effective and relevant. The Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS must be reviewed (and revised if necessary) if relevant control measures in relation to sharps – handling and disposal work are revised. The review process should be carried out in consultation with workers(including contractors and subcontractors) who may be affected by the Sharps – Handling And Disposal and their health and safety representatives who represented that work group at the workplace.

When the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS has been revised, the person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure:  

1. All persons involved in the sharps – handling and disposal work are advised that a revision has been made and how they can access the revised Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS;
2. Persons who will need to change a work procedure or system as a result of the review are advised of the changes in a way that will enable them to implement their duties consistently with the revised Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS; and,
3. Workers that will be involved in the sharps – handling and disposal work are provided with the relevant information and instruction that will assist them to understand and implement the revised Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS.

When preparing your Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS, here are some topics you might want to also include to ensure you have covered as many risks and hazards as possible.

Planning and Preparation When Working With and Around Sharps– Handling And Disposal.

When writing your Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS, establish any policies, procedures and systems for working with Sharps – Handling And Disposal in consultation with the Principal Contractor and workers while being sure to establish: 

• Health and Safety guidelines for sharps – handling and disposal work
• Emergency plans and evacuation procedures for the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Worker inductions for Sharps – Handling And Disposal
• Toolbox talks (safety meetings) added to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Outline details of supervision of the site and workers on the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Check all workers qualifications, permits and competencies for Sharps – Handling And Disposal operations
• Ensure the Sharps – Handling And Disposal and any related equipment is functioning correctly
• Hazard reporting procedures in place and added to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Incident reporting procedures in place and added to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Exclusion zones when conducting sharps – handling and disposal work
• Risk Assessment for TASK completed and noted on the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS
• Electrical NO GO ZONES identified, discussed and documented. 

Assessment of Site Conditions

Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when working with sharps and ensure that. 

1. A risk assessment of the sharps – handling and disposal work is conducted
2. Suitable access and adequate space to conduct sharps – handling and disposal work safely
3. Consult with all stakeholders on potential hazards and risks when conducting sharps – handling and disposal work
4. Consultation with all relevant workers and personnel for Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS details
5. If conducting Sharps – Handling And Disposal at night, ensure there is adequate lighting
6. Check that the work environment is suitable for sharps –handling and disposal work

Sharps – Handling And Disposal Training and Worker Qualifications

Ensure all workers have the appropriate licenses in conducting Sharps – Handling And Disposal as well as any qualifications that may be required for various sharps – handling and disposal projects before starting work. If White Cards are required, retain copies of all cards, licenses and qualifications of personnel.

All personnel must: 

1. Be trained and/or have received instructions on the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS including all safety and emergency procedures.
2. Be qualified, knowledgeable and competent in Sharps – Handling And Disposal operations and sharps – handling and disposal work as well as all delegated tasks/responsibilities
3. Be fully aware and understand the scope of work in relation to the Sharps – Handling And Disposal SWMS 

Below are some examples of some Control Measures to be implemented when creating your own Sharps – Handling And Disposal Safe Work Method Statement Template:

• Identify the areas where sharps such as syringes, scalpels, etc., are used. Display notices regarding the safe handling, use and disposal of sharps.
• Only authorised persons who have been instructed in the procedures for safe use and disposal must handle sharps.
• Be careful when picking up incorrectly dropped or disposed syringes or scalpels.
• Scalpel blades lying of a surface must be picked up by an implement or tool.
• Areas where sharps are handled or used must have warning signs conforming to AS1319.
• Use tools such as tongs to pick up.
• Never pick up scalpel blades using bare hands.
• Syringes and needles must be uncapped only for actual use; keep them capped at all other times.
• Scalpel blades must remain in sealed containers or packages until removed for use.
• Never use hands for changing or removing scalpel blades from a scalpel - preferably use a gripping tool such as forceps.
• If cost-effective or suitable, use disposable scalpels or a proprietary blade removal system for eliminating the risk of cuts.
• For disposal of used blades and syringes, only approved containers must be provided.
• Never open packages or uncap syringes unnecessarily.
• Never touch scalpel blades.
• For disposal of used or contaminated sharps, where sharps are used, provide approved sharps containers.
• If the containers are not supplied in ready-to-use form, follow instructions for assembly and use from the manufacturer.
• Mount the sharp containers securely on a wall or to a fixture, or place them such that they cannot be tipped over.
• Identify and clearly mark containers for sharps and place in areas close to where sharps are actually used.
• Make sure the containers are assembled properly and mounted securely.
• Containers must be kept clear of edges.
• Never dispose sharps in general or biological waste bins.
• Containers for sharps must be marked clearly and must have a fill line.
• When transporting to an approved waste disposal facility, place sharps containers in an unbreakable outer container.
• Sharps and other waste material such as scalpels must have separate bins provided.
• Never dispose of sharps in general waste.

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.