Gary’s Safety Tips 
G’day everyone, it’s your mate Gary, and today we’re gonna talk about something that might not be as exciting as some of my other topics, but it’s bloody important – identifying relevant hazards and creating safe work method statements.
I know, I know, it sounds boring, but hear me out. When you’re running a business or working on a project, safety should always be your top priority. And the best way to ensure safety is to identify potential hazards and create a plan to mitigate them.
So, let’s start with identifying hazards. This is a crucial step that can’t be overlooked. Hazards can come in all shapes and sizes, from physical hazards like machinery or slippery floors, to chemical hazards like hazardous materials or fumes.
To identify potential hazards, you need to start with a thorough inspection of the workplace or project site. Look for anything that could potentially cause harm or injury, and don’t forget to consider any hazards that may not be immediately apparent. For example, you may not think of noise as a hazard, but prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause hearing damage.
Once you’ve identified all the potential hazards, it’s time to create a plan to mitigate them. This is where the safe work method statement (SWMS) comes in.
A SWMS is a document that outlines the steps that will be taken to complete a task safely. It identifies all potential hazards associated with the task and outlines the controls that will be put in place to mitigate those hazards. It’s a living document that should be updated regularly as the project progresses and new hazards are identified.
Creating a SWMS can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Here are the key steps to creating a SWMS:
- Identify the task: Start by identifying the task that needs to be completed. This will help you to identify the hazards associated with the task.
- Identify the hazards: Once you’ve identified the task, you need to identify all potential hazards associated with the task. This could include physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and environmental hazards.
- Assess the risk: Once you’ve identified the hazards, you need to assess the risk associated with each hazard. This involves considering the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the severity of the potential harm.
- Control the risks: Once you’ve assessed the risks, you need to put controls in place to mitigate those risks. This could involve implementing engineering controls, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment.
- Communicate the controls: Once you’ve put controls in place, it’s essential to communicate them to everyone involved in the task. This could involve providing training on the controls or posting signs and warnings in the work area.
- Review and revise: Finally, you need to review and revise the SWMS regularly. As the project progresses, new hazards may be identified, or existing hazards may change. It’s essential to update the SWMS to ensure that it remains an accurate reflection of the hazards and controls associated with the task.
Now, I know that creating a SWMS might seem like a lot of work, but trust me, it’s worth it. Not only will it help to ensure the safety of everyone involved, but it can also help to improve productivity and efficiency.
When everyone knows what hazards to look out for and how to mitigate them, they can work with confidence and focus on getting the job done right. And when everyone is working safely and efficiently, your business or project will be more successful in the long run.
So, to sum it up, identifying relevant hazards and creating safe work method statements is critical to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in a project or business. By taking the time to identify hazards.
Cheers,
