The SWMS You Just Signed

Why it matters

A Safe Work Method Statement is not paperwork for the office: it is the plan for the high risk work you are about to do, and when you sign it you are agreeing to work that way. If the job on the ground does not match the SWMS, that is not a small thing. The law says the work stops until the SWMS is fixed.

Hazards

• ⚠ Signing a SWMS without reading it
• ⚠ Work on the ground drifting away from the method on paper
• ⚠ A SWMS from another site that does not match this job
• ⚠ Hazards appearing that the SWMS never covered

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ A SWMS must be prepared before high risk construction work starts (reg 299): read it before you sign.
• ✓ Work in accordance with the SWMS; if you cannot, stop until it is revised (reg 300).
• ✓ You must be given information, training, and instruction on the SWMS before starting (reg 39).
• ✓ Check the SWMS is for this site and this activity, not a copy from last job.
• ✓ If conditions change or a new hazard appears, stop and get the SWMS revised.
• ✓ Keep the SWMS accessible at the job while the work is on.

Crew discussion questions

1. Does the SWMS in front of us match the job we are actually doing?
2. What does the SWMS say to do if something changes?
3. Are there hazards today the SWMS does not cover?
4. Where is the SWMS kept while we work?

Applicable WHS citations

reg 299, reg 300, reg 39

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