Gary’s Safety Tips 
G’day everyone! Today, we’re gonna learn about one of the most important things that every business owner should prioritise – Safe Work Method Statements.
For those who aren’t familiar with it, Safe Work Method Statements or SWMS is a written document that outlines the potential hazards and risks associated with a particular job or task. It also includes the control measures that must be implemented to minimise those risks and ensure the safety of everyone involved in the job.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Gary, SWMS sounds like a lot of work. Do I really need it?” The short answer is YES. Let me tell you why.
First and foremost, SWMS is required by law in Australia. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires every business to ensure the health and safety of their workers and others who may be affected by their work activities. One of the ways to comply with this requirement is to develop and implement SWMS for high-risk construction work.
But aside from being a legal requirement, SWMS also has several benefits for your business. Here are some of ’em:
- Helps identify potential hazards and risks
By conducting a thorough risk assessment and developing SWMS, you can identify potential hazards and risks associated with a particular job or task. This will allow you to take the necessary precautions and implement control measures to minimise those risks.
- Ensures compliance with safety standards
Developing and implementing SWMS will help ensure that your business complies with safety standards set by the government and industry. This will not only protect your workers but also help you avoid costly fines and legal action.
- Improves communication and collaboration
SWMS promotes communication and collaboration between workers and supervisors. By involving your workers in the development of SWMS, you can get their input and ensure that they understand the potential hazards and risks associated with their job.
- Reduces incidents and accidents
Implementing SWMS can help reduce the number of incidents and accidents in your workplace. By identifying potential hazards and risks and implementing control measures, you can create a safer working environment for everyone.
Now that we’ve established the importance of SWMS, let’s talk about how to compile one. Here are some steps that you can follow:
- Identify the job or task
The first step in compiling SWMS is to identify the job or task that you wanna document. This can be any high-risk construction work that your business performs.
- Conduct a risk assessment
Once you have identified the job or task, the next step is to conduct a risk assessment. This involves identifying potential hazards and risks associated with the job and evaluating the likelihood and severity of those risks.
- Develop control measures
Based on the results of your risk assessment, you need to develop control measures to minimise the risks associated with the job. These control measures should be practical and effective in reducing the risks.
- Document the SWMS
Once you have developed the control measures, the next step is to document the SWMS. This should include a description of the job or task, the potential hazards and risks associated with it, the control measures that will be implemented, and the responsibilities of everyone involved in the job.
- Review and update
Finally, it’s important to review and update the SWMS regularly. This will ensure that it remains relevant and effective in minimising the risks associated with the job.
In conclusion, developing and implementing SWMS is crucial for every business that performs high-risk construction work. It not only helps ensure compliance with safety standards but also promotes a safer working environment for everyone. So, if you haven’t developed SWMS yet, now is the time to do it! Remember, safety should always be your top priority.
Cheers,
