Safe Work Method Statement Template
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This free Safe Work Method Statement template is readily available to help employees identify and record hazards from their regular activities and provide the necessary measures to control them. The template is designed to have a user-friendly interface, which streamlines the completion process of the Safe Work Method Statement.
Need a way to directly inform stakeholders when completing a Safe Work Method Statement? This Safe Work Method Statement template has a built-in notification system that can be set up to match the company workflow, ensuring that the necessary safety control measures are provided on time before any activity starts.
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What is Safe Work Method Statement?
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a document that contains clear directions on how to safely conduct a job-related task and/or operate a piece of machinery or equipment. A Safe Work Method Statement instructs employees and contractors on how to complete work-related tasks safely.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Safe Work Method Statement
All industries have inherent hazards that could potentially harm employees, which is why regulatory bodies in Australia and New Zealand require businesses to take concrete actions and control measures to isolate and remove these hazards. These have become mandatory requirements, as stated in the following provisions in Australia and New Zealand that require an SWMS:
- WHS Regulation 2011, Regulation 299—This provision in Australia requires establishments to create a Safe Work Method Statement for high-risk construction work.
- WHS Regulation 2011, Regulation 291—This regulation is a provision in Australia that defines and classifies high-risk construction work.
- Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015, section 30—This legislation is a provision in New Zealand that describes the requirements to control risks that affect health and safety.
- Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015, section 36—This legislation is a provision in New Zealand that requires persons conducting a business or undertaking to ensure the health and safety of workers affected by the hazards found at work.
Staff Members and Parties that use Safe Work Method Statement
The effectiveness of creating and completing a Safe Work Method Statement relies heavily on the involvement of the following staff members:
- Project Manager: The project manager oversees operational requirements on a high level. He is responsible for ensuring sufficient resources, planning, and compliance requirements (quality, health, and safety) are effectively in place.
- Site Manager: Their role includes planning and managing safety in the workplace, which is why it is their responsibility to implement the SWMS. They review and approve the SWMS, especially for high-risk activities.
- Workforce: The workforce directly faces the hazards. Part of their duty is to guarantee that they perform the provided method statement; therefore, their participation in creating and completing the SWMS is essential. Their exposure and firsthand knowledge of the hazards also enable them to provide diverse perspectives on the observable hazards encountered while performing activities.
- Safety Officers: These are the individuals who assess the effectiveness and efficiency of controls offered in all activities, particularly those involving machines. It is their responsibility to guarantee that safety management measures are adequate and sufficient to protect all workers engaging in high-risk activities.
Business Risks Reduced by Safe Work Method Statement
Keeping everyone safe also means keeping the business safe. Employers must commit to the duty to protect the firm against various hazards, in addition to the employees, who are the company’s lifeblood. Committing to the practice of implementing SWMS for any activity lowers the following business risks:
- Increased expense owing to unanticipated downtime
- Increased expense due to accidents and injuries
- Increased expense owing to non-compliance with regulations
- Increased rate of lost time incidents (LTI)
- Delayed timetables and deadlines
- Negative impact on company reputation
Business Opportunities Created by Safe Work Method Statement
The Safe Work Method Statement can provide all the necessary safety measures to adequately safeguard employees from potential hazards while performing their daily activities. However, compliance with this assessment provides more than just protection. Businesses can greatly benefit from this simple yet effective tool. Compliance with this evaluation creates the following commercial opportunities:
- More cost savings over time
- Longer machine and equipment life
- Lower insurance premiums
- Stronger relationships among employers, employees, and stakeholders
- Better output quality
- Enhances the company’s reputation
What the Safe Work Method Statement eliminates
The Safe Work Method Statement ensures the following problems are removed.
- Unidentified hazards
- Uncontrolled risks
- Unclear work procedures
- Miscommunication
- Unsafe work methods
- No clear responsibilities
- Improper PPE
- Panic during emergencies
Industry-Specific SWMS Template Applications
Different industries require tailored approaches to safe work method statements, with construction, mining, manufacturing, and utilities each presenting unique hazard profiles and regulatory requirements. Construction SWMS templates focus heavily on working at heights, excavation safety, and equipment operation, while manufacturing templates emphasize machine safety, chemical handling, and confined space entry procedures. Mining operations require specialized consideration of explosive atmospheres, heavy machinery, and underground work conditions. Understanding these industry-specific requirements ensures that SWMS templates address the most relevant risks and comply with sector-specific safety standards and codes of practice.
How to Create a Safe Work Method Statement template (SWMS template)
Creating an effective Safe Work Method Statement template requires systematic planning and thorough understanding of work processes and associated risks. Follow these structured steps to develop a comprehensive SWMS template that meets regulatory requirements and protects worker safety.
Before creating a Safe Work Method Statement template (SWMS template), gather the following...
- Detailed work scope and activity descriptions
- Site plans, drawings, and environmental assessments
- Relevant safety regulations and compliance requirements
- Equipment specifications and operator manuals
- Previous incident reports and lessons learned
- Worker input and consultation feedback
- Emergency contact information and procedures
- Training records and competency requirements
Create a section for project details
This section provides an overview of what the SWMS is for. It should have the following fields:
- Project name
- Project location
- Activity Date
Add a work activity details section
This section provides a summary of the activity to be conducted. It should contain the following fields:
- Scope of work
- Plants to be used
- Tools to be used
- Equipment to be used
Create a hazard and control section
This section records the identified hazards and the needed control measures. It should have the following fields:
- Task/procedure
- Identified hazard
- Severity of hazard
- Control measures
- Responsible person
Add a PPE requirement and emergency procedure section
This section provides a list of the PPE needed for the activity and the emergency protocols.
- Provide a field for all the needed PPE for the activity
- Add another field for the emergency procedures and contacts
Add a sign-off section
The following signatures should be present to validate the SWMS:
- Person who prepared the SWMS
- Person who approves the SWMS
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS planning in an App or Software System
A well-designed digital Safe Work Method Statement ensures automated compliance tracking and mobile accessibility that traditional paper-based systems cannot match. These platforms enable immediate updates to safety procedures, instant communication of changes to all relevant personnel, and comprehensive audit trails that demonstrate regulatory compliance.
25 minutes
Easy difficulty
How to create a Safe Work Method Statement in an app?
Using an app that employs digital forms instead of paper-based ones may help improve the process by:
- Assistance with artificial intelligence (AI).
- Having fewer manual data entries.
- All produced forms are stored in a single access cloud.
- Reformatting is straightforward and can be adapted to new protocols or updated standards.
- Formula integration is much simpler.
- Workflows and notifications may be automated and scheduled.
- Improved template design and look.
Formatting the project details section
- Add a text field to allow users to input a project name.
- Add another text field to allow users to input the project location.
- Provide a date field for the activity date.
Formatting the work activity details section
- Add a multiple-text field to allow users to input work activity details or the scope of work.
- Add another multiple-text field so users can input the plants, tools, and equipment they will use.
Formatting the hazards and control measures section
- Provide a 5-column table where users can freely add rows.
- Provide these as headers for each column: task, hazards, severity, control measures, and responsible person.
- Format the first column as a text field to allow users to input the tasks.
- Format the second column as a text field to allow users to input the hazards they are going to identify.
- Format the third column as a selection field for the severity of the hazard. Each selection item can be integrated with colors to make the form more professional. Selection items are low, medium, and high.
- Format the fourth column as a text field to allow users to input the needed control measures.
- Format the last column as a text field to allow users to input the responsible person.
Formatting the PPE required and emergency sections
- Provide a multiple-text field in the required PPE section to allow users to input all the PPE needed for the activity.
- Provide another multiple-text field for the emergency section to allow users to create complete emergency procedures.
Formatting the signatory section
- Provide a signature field for the person who prepares the SWMS.
- Another signature field should be provided for the person who will approve the SWMS.
About the author
Felmar Mantalaba
Engineering Content Writer
Education:
Cebu Institute of Technology - University - Mechanical Engineering with Mechatronics
Bio:
Felmar is a mechanical engineer, whose four years of experience in the mining industry inspired him to write and share stories to progress the revolution of new technologies and create smarter, smoother ways of living.
Project Details:
Safety, Health, and Environment Management System (SHEMS) Coordination
SHEMS Coordinator at Atlas Consolidated Mining, ensuring organizational compliance with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards, performing risk assessments, developing policies, and conducting audits and inspections to maintain a safe and environmentally responsible workplace.
Maintenance Management and Optimization
Senior Maintenance Manager (OIC) leading equipment maintenance and operational efficiency initiatives, reducing downtime by 10%, improving Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) for major equipment, and managing maintenance schedules, manpower, and materials, while overseeing capital project optimization.
Inspection Engineering and Equipment Reliability
Inspection Engineer responsible for technical blueprint interpretation, vendor collaboration, preventive maintenance scheduling, and data collection for vibration and temperature readings, delivering actionable recommendations and comprehensive reports to improve equipment reliability and operational performance.
End-to-End Operational Oversight in Mining Engineering
Contributed to multiple facets of operational management, including SHEMS compliance, maintenance optimization, inspections, and capital project evaluation, integrating safety, reliability, and efficiency improvements across all stages of copper production operations.
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