Gary’s Safety Tips 
Hey there, Gary here! Today, I want to talk about an essential aspect of workplace safety that often gets overlooked – revising and maintaining safe work method statements.
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a critical document that outlines the risks and hazards associated with a particular job and the measures that will be taken to mitigate those risks. It is a legal requirement for many industries in Australia, including construction, mining, and manufacturing, to have SWMS in place for every job.
However, it’s not enough to just create a SWMS and file it away. It must be continually reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. Here are some tips on how to revise and maintain your SWMS:
- Regular reviews It’s essential to review your SWMS regularly to ensure it reflects any changes in the workplace, including new equipment, procedures, or changes to legislation. This review should be conducted before starting any new job or when a change occurs in the workplace.
- Identify and assess hazards When revising your SWMS, you should identify and assess any new hazards that may have arisen since the last review. This includes hazards that were not previously identified or have increased in severity.
- Determine control measures Once hazards have been identified, determine control measures that will eliminate or reduce the risk of harm. This could include implementing engineering controls, changing work procedures, or providing personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Communicate changes Ensure that all workers and contractors are aware of any changes to the SWMS. This includes providing training on new procedures or equipment and ensuring that they understand their responsibilities for implementing control measures.
- Document changes It’s essential to document any changes made to the SWMS, including the date of the review, the hazards identified, and the control measures implemented. This provides evidence that due diligence has been undertaken and can be used to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements.
- Consultation and collaboration When revising your SWMS, it’s important to involve workers and other stakeholders in the process. This includes consulting with workers to identify hazards and determine control measures and collaborating with contractors to ensure that their work aligns with the SWMS.
- Monitor and review Finally, it’s essential to monitor the effectiveness of the SWMS and review it periodically to ensure that it remains current and effective. This includes monitoring compliance with the SWMS, reviewing incident reports to identify any new hazards or control measures, and seeking feedback from workers on the effectiveness of control measures.
In conclusion, revising and maintaining your Safe Work Method Statements is crucial for workplace safety. It ensures that hazards are identified, control measures are implemented, and workers are protected from harm. Regular review and revision of the SWMS demonstrates due diligence and compliance with legal requirements. By following these tips, you can ensure that your SWMS remains current and effective, and your workplace remains safe for all.
Cheers,
