Safe Work Method Statement

• Introduction
• Overview of a Safe Work Method Statement

Introduction

The Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), also known as the Job Safety Analysis (JSA), provides an easily understood way to encourage contractors to become actively involved in the prevention of accidents.

Each sub-contractor coming on-site must prepare an SWMS that clearly indicates to the site management how the sub-contractors will carry out their particular area of work.

This must be completed and signed off by both parties (sub-contractor and manager) before any work commences. A copy of the document must be kept in the site files so that the sub-contractor's progress can be constantly checked against the document.

The benefits of the SWMS to contractors are as follows:

• fewer health and safety incidents
• better communication with sub-contractors
• a transportable planning tool which only requires site specific updating
• helps them to meet basic health and safety responsibilities.