SWMS stands for safe work method statement. A SWMS is a document that sets out the high risk construction work to be done, the hazards and risks of that work, the measures that will control those risks, and how the controls will be put in place, monitored and reviewed. In Queensland, a business must make sure a SWMS is prepared before any high risk construction work starts (section 299 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011).
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What does SWMS stand for?
SWMS stands for safe work method statement. On site it is usually said as “swims”. Similar documents go by other names, such as a job safety analysis (JSA) or a job safety and environmental analysis (JSEA), but whatever you call it, a document for high risk construction work must meet the SWMS rules in section 299.
When do you need a SWMS?
You need a SWMS for high risk construction work. Section 291 of the WHS Regulation lists 18 kinds of it, including construction work:
- where there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- in or near a confined space, a tunnel, or a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres
- that involves demolishing load-bearing parts of a structure, or structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support
- that is likely to involve disturbing asbestos
- on or near pressurised gas mains or piping, chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines, or energised electrical installations or services
- on or next to a road, railway or other traffic corridor in use, or where powered mobile plant is moving
- involving tilt-up or precast concrete, explosives or diving, or in or near water with a risk of drowning
- on a telecommunication tower, in a contaminated or flammable atmosphere, or in areas with artificial extremes of temperature
Testing, maintenance or repair work of a minor nature on a structure is not construction work under the Regulation (section 289), so it does not need a SWMS. Work that is not high risk construction work still has to have its risks managed, often with a risk assessment or a job safety analysis.
Who prepares the SWMS?
The business carrying out the high risk construction work (the person conducting a business or undertaking, or PCBU) must make sure a SWMS is prepared, or that one already prepared by someone else covers the work. Write it with the workers who will do the job: businesses must consult their workers about how risks are managed, and the crew knows how the work is really done. On a construction project (construction work worth $250,000 or more), the business must give a copy to the principal contractor before the work starts (section 301), and the principal contractor must take all reasonable steps to get it (section 312).
What is the purpose of a SWMS?
A SWMS is not meant to be a detailed procedure. It is a working tool that helps supervisors and workers understand, follow and check the controls for the high risk parts of the job. Keep it short and specific to the site, brief the crew on it before work starts, and stop the work if it is not being done the way the SWMS says (section 300).
One SWMS can cover several high risk construction work activities, for example using powered mobile plant next to a road used by traffic, as long as it deals with how the activities affect each other.
Can I use a generic safe work method statement?
It’s important that each Safe Work Method Statement is developed and reviewed to meet the specific needs of the workplace in which it will be used – that is, the workplace where the high risk construction work will take place.
A generic Safe Work Method Statement used in multiple workplaces may not meet the requirements of the Work Health and Safety laws unless it has been reviewed first, and updated to reflect the specific hazards and risks present at the specific workplace.
A single Safe Work Method Statement can be prepared to cover a number of different work activities, provided it takes into account the changing nature of the work environment.
Another alternative method is to create a separate Safe Work Method Statement for each high risk construction work activity. If you follow this method it is important to take into consideration how work activities may impact one another.
How do I implement and review a safe work method statement?
All high risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with a Safe Work Method Statement.
According to the Work Health and Safety Legislation in Queensland, the “Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking” must put in place arrangements to ensure the Safe Work Method Statement is complied with.
A safe work method statement must
- Identify which work activities will involve high risk construction work
- Identify hazards relating to the high risk construction work and their risks to health and safety
- Describe safety control measures that can be implemented to control the risks, and;
- Describe how the safety control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.
Safe Work Method Statements should be short and to the point, they should focus on describing the specific hazards identified for the high risk construction work to be carried out, along with the control measures that are to be implemented so that the work can be carried out safely.
A SWMS must take into account the conditions at the workplace that could affect how the work is done, and it must be set out and expressed so the people who use it can readily understand it (section 299(3)), including workers from non-English speaking backgrounds. Pictures and diagrams help. A site-specific risk assessment is a good way to work out the hazards and controls before you write it.
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Frequently asked questions
What does SWMS stand for?
SWMS stands for safe work method statement. It is the document required in Queensland for high risk construction work, setting out the work, its hazards and risks, the control measures, and how the controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed.
When is a SWMS required in Queensland?
A SWMS must be prepared before any high risk construction work starts. Section 291 of the WHS Regulation 2011 lists 18 kinds, such as work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres, trenches deeper than 1.5 metres, confined spaces, work likely to disturb asbestos, and work near energised electrical services or roads in use.
What must a SWMS include?
It must identify the work that is high risk construction work, state the hazards and the risks to health and safety, describe the measures to control the risks, and describe how those measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed (section 299). It must also suit the conditions at the workplace and be easy for the people using it to understand.
Who is responsible for preparing a SWMS?
The business carrying out the high risk construction work must make sure a SWMS is prepared before the work starts, ideally with the workers who will do the job. On a construction project, it must give a copy to the principal contractor before the work starts.
What is the difference between a SWMS and a JSA?
A SWMS is the document the law requires for high risk construction work. A job safety analysis (JSA) is a general tool for breaking any task into steps, hazards and controls. A JSA can be useful for other work, but for high risk construction work the document must meet the SWMS requirements, whatever it is called.
How long do I have to keep a SWMS?
Keep a copy until the high risk construction work it covers is completed. If a notifiable incident happens in connection with that work, keep it for at least 2 years after the incident (section 303).
Can I use a free SWMS template in Queensland?
Yes, as a starting point. A template helps you set out the SWMS, but you must fill it in for the actual job, site and crew, talk it through with your workers, and review it when the work or conditions change.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current law or talk to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for your situation.
Free safe work method statement template in Queensland
Would you like to download our free safe work method statement template for use in Queensland? This free Safe Work Method Statement template is suitable for any construction business in Queensland looking to improve its Work Health & Safety compliance!
Download Our Free Safe Work Method Statement Template
Templates for this job
Ready-to-edit Word and Excel templates for Queensland workplaces.
