Gary’s Safety Tips 
G’day guys, it’s great to be discussing with you all today about something that’s crucially important for every business out there. We’re talking about the lack of visibility into the status of the Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).
Now, I know this might not sound like the sexiest topic out there, but trust me when I say that it’s something that can make or break your business. The fact is, without a clear and up-to-date SWMS, you’re putting your employees and your entire operation at risk. And as someone who’s all about hustling hard and making it big, I’m sure you can agree that safety should always be a top priority.
So, why is there such a lack of visibility into the status of SWMS? Well, there are a few reasons. First and foremost, a lot of businesses simply don’t understand the importance of SWMS. They might see it as just another piece of paperwork or something that’s required by law, but not actually necessary for their day-to-day operations.
But here’s the thing: SWMS is so much more than just a box to tick. It’s a critical tool that helps you identify hazards, assess risks, and put in place controls to manage those risks. It’s the roadmap that guides your employees through each step of a project or task, ensuring that they have the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe.
So, if you’re not taking SWMS seriously, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to protect your people and your business.
Another reason for the lack of visibility into SWMS is that it can be a bit of a pain to manage. I get it – as a business owner or manager, you’ve got a million things on your plate already. The last thing you want to do is spend hours sifting through paperwork and trying to keep track of who has done what.
But again, this is something that you simply can’t afford to ignore. When you have multiple employees working on different projects or tasks, it’s crucial that you can see at a glance whether they have completed the necessary SWMS or not. This isn’t just for your own peace of mind – it’s also a legal requirement in many industries.
So, what can you do to improve visibility into the status of SWMS? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Make SWMS a priority: This might sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating. If you want your employees to take SWMS seriously, you need to lead by example. Make sure that everyone in your team understands the importance of SWMS, and make it clear that you expect them to complete it for every project or task.
- Use technology: There are plenty of digital tools out there that can help you manage SWMS more efficiently. For example, you might use a project management app that allows you to assign SWMS tasks to specific employees, track their progress, and receive notifications when tasks are completed. This can save you a lot of time and hassle, and also make it easier for you to see at a glance whether SWMS has been completed or not.
- Provide training and support: If your employees are struggling with SWMS, it might be because they don’t fully understand what’s expected of them. Make sure that you provide clear guidance and training on how to complete SWMS, and offer support if anyone is having difficulties. This will help to ensure that everyone in your team is on the same page, and can complete SWMS quickly and efficiently.
- Conduct regular checks: Finally, it’s important to conduct regular checks to ensure that SWMS is being completed correctly. This might involve spot-checks, audits, or simply checking in with employees to see how they’re tracking. By doing this, you can quickly identify any issues and take action to address them before they become bigger problems.
Now, I know that some of you might be thinking that all of this sounds like a lot of extra work. But let me tell you, the benefits of having a clear and up-to-date SWMS far outweigh any extra effort involved. Not only will it help to keep your employees safe, but it can also improve productivity and reduce costs by identifying potential hazards and risks early on.
So, don’t let the lack of visibility into the status of SWMS hold you back. Take action today to improve your SWMS management and ensure that your business is operating safely and efficiently. And remember, safety should always be a top priority – both for your employees and for your bottom line.
Cheers,
