#SAFETYMAN - Sink or SWMS
"Enough paperwork to choke a horse"
Root of the requirement for a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS ) stems from the Employer's responsibility to take reasonable steps to Identify, Assess and Control hazards within the workplace.
What MUST be done (i.e. you can be fined for non-compliance)
In short, a Safe Work Method Statement (aka. JHA, TRA, JSEA, SOP, SWI, JSA, et. al) is MANDATORY when conducting 'high risk construction work' (page 10), and MUST be completed. Some of the activities prescribed requires a High Risk Work Licence
What SHOULD be done
While not mandatory to have SWMS for all other tasks, the SWMS format is often used to structure (and evidence) the hazard identification and management process. There are many other (arguably more effective) options to identify and communicate safe work practices, MSM critical control posters and Video SWMS are two examples of this.
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