SWMS, JSA, risk assessment: the three get used interchangeably on site, but they are not the same, and handing a builder the wrong one gets your crew stood down while you sort it out.
SWMS: the legal document
A Safe Work Method Statement is legally required for the 18 categories of high risk construction work. It has specific duties: prepare it before the work, comply with it, review it when things change, and keep it on site. The exact citation depends on your state (see SWMS requirements by state). If the work is high risk construction work, nothing else substitutes.
JSA: the planning tool
A Job Safety Analysis (also called a JHA) breaks any task into steps and lists the hazards and controls. It is good practice for general work, but it has no legal trigger and does not satisfy the SWMS requirement for high risk work.
Risk assessment: the broad term
A risk assessment is the general process of identifying hazards, rating the risk, and deciding on controls. A SWMS and a JSA both contain a risk assessment; the risk assessment on its own is not a site document you hand over.
The rule of thumb
If the work is one of the 18 high risk categories, you need a SWMS. For everything else, a JSA is good practice. Not sure which bucket your job is in? Run the free checker, or read the full SWMS vs JSA guide.