Gary’s Safety Tips 
G’day everyone, it’s great to be chatting with you today about the importance of incorporating risk management into safe work method statements (SWMS). As business owners and managers, it’s our responsibility to ensure the safety of our employees and those around us, and risk management is a critical aspect of achieving this goal.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of SWMS and risk management, let’s first define what we mean by these terms. SWMS are documents that outline the steps required to perform a task safely and effectively, while risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling risks in order to minimise their impact.
Now, let’s talk about why it’s so important to incorporate risk management into SWMS. When we create a SWMS, we’re essentially documenting the steps required to perform a task safely. But if we don’t take into account the potential risks associated with that task, we’re not truly ensuring the safety of our employees.
By incorporating risk management into SWMS, we’re not only identifying potential hazards and risks associated with a task, but we’re also developing strategies to control and minimise those risks. This can include implementing additional safety measures, providing appropriate training to employees, and ensuring that all equipment and materials are in good working order.
It’s important to remember that risk management isn’t a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process that should be regularly reviewed and updated as required. By regularly reviewing and updating our SWMS, we can ensure that we’re continuously identifying and addressing potential risks, and that our employees are always working in a safe environment.
So, how can we incorporate risk management into our SWMS? Here are some steps that you can take:
- Identify potential hazards and risks associated with the task Before creating a SWMS, take the time to identify all potential hazards and risks associated with the task. This can include things like working at heights, working with hazardous materials, or working with heavy machinery. By identifying these risks upfront, you can then develop strategies to minimise or control them.
- Develop strategies to control and minimise risks Once you’ve identified potential risks, it’s important to develop strategies to control and minimise those risks. This can include providing appropriate training to employees, implementing additional safety measures, or ensuring that all equipment and materials are in good working order.
- Document your SWMS and regularly review and update it Once you’ve identified potential risks and developed strategies to control and minimise them, it’s time to document your SWMS. Make sure that your SWMS includes all the steps required to perform the task safely, as well as any additional safety measures that you’ve implemented. It’s also important to regularly review and update your SWMS as required, to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
- Communicate your SWMS to employees Finally, make sure that your employees are aware of your SWMS and understand how to follow it. This can include providing appropriate training, posting the SWMS in a visible location, and regularly reminding employees of the importance of working safely.
In conclusion, incorporating risk management into safe work method statements is critical to ensuring the safety of our employees and those around us. By identifying potential hazards and risks associated with a task, developing strategies to control and minimise those risks, and regularly reviewing and updating our SWMS, we can ensure that our employees are always working in a safe environment. So, let’s make sure that we’re always putting safety first, and that we’re doing everything we can to minimise risk and keep everyone safe. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you next time.
Cheers,
