Safe Work Method Statement

Use of Master Builders Generic Safe Work Method Statements

Disclaimer:
The Master Builders Association of Victoria expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and of consequence
of anything done or omitted to be done by any or such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially on this generic safe work method
statement.
Rules for the use of Master Builders generic SWMS
1. This generic SWMS is provided as a sample. It is not to be used by a builder or subcontractor for the purpose of managing safety on
their projects. It can be used as a template to enable builders and subcontractors to produce their own SWMS. Master Builders have
carbon copy pads available for sale to enable builders/subcontractors to produce their own SWMS.
2. Employers intending to use this SWMS as a template for their own SWMS must ensure they consult with their employees, including their
Health and Safety Representatives, prior to its introduction.
3. Builders and subcontractors must ensure that their SWMS is relevant to the project at hand. Generic SWMS should not be used unless
precautions have been taken to ensure that the document adequately addresses the hazards and risks relevant to each particular
project.
4. Builders and subcontractors intending to use this sample SWMS as a template for their own generic SWMS, without making any
changes to the detail, must ensure that they adhere to and implement all of the relevant risk controls.
5. The range of generic SWMS provided by Master Builders are not sufficiently broad enough to cover all hazards or risks encountered by
builders and subcontractors. It does not cover the full list of requirements for which SWMS are specifically required under the OHS
Construction Regulations. It is important that the builder or subcontractor undertake their own hazard identification and risk control
process relevant for each particular task.
It is highly recommended that persons who are responsible for preparing and reviewing SWMS undertake training so as to understand the
process of identifying and controlling risks in the workplace.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Company Name

Site Name

Contractor

Activity

Safe Work Method Statement

14
No ______ Page

Plumber / Drainer

of

Permit to Work Requirement

Yes

No

Tasks

Hazards and Risks

Risk control measures

Who is responsible?

List the tasks required to perform

the activity in the sequence they are
carried out.

What can harm you - Hazards?

What can happen - Risks?

List the control measures required to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury
and detail how the control measures will be put in place.

Write the name of the person

responsible (supervisor or
above) to implement the control
measures identified.

Preparation and
Planning for job.

Arriving to job site.

Unloading of
equipment.

Internal drainage.

Inadequate training, consultation, planning Ensure employees are adequately trained to

& improvisation.
complete the job required.
Provide adequate and competent supervision.
Provide correct equipment to ensure job is
completed safely.
Entry to safe unauthorized areas.
Report to site office for site induction.
Risk assessment of site conditions.
Fall from vehicle, manual handling
Unload vehicles in area clear of traffic, plant &
injuries, traffic hazards, unfamiliar work
equipment.
site, trips & slips.
Training employees in manual handling.
P.P.E equipment such as (fluorescent) vest.
Use team lifting techniques or mechanical means
for manual handling.
Conduct a thorough site inspection because
commencing any work to identify potential causes
of harm to workers.
Ensure work trucks or vans are parked
appropriately.
Trips, slips & falls.
Ensure clear access to work area.
Ensure trenches have been filled or fall protection
and barricades are in place. Avoid rough terrain.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Manual handling injuries when carrying
tool equipment and materials.
Back and shoulder injuries when using
shovels and wheelbarrows etc.
Hit by bobcat or excavator

Contact with substances classified as

hazardous. Short and long term health
affects eg overcome by vapours, rash,
allergy and disease.
Installation of internal
water service and
drainage.

Trips, slips & falls when carrying in

materials.

Trips, slips and falls when entering job

Hit by falling object when entering job.

Falls from ladders or through voids when

accessing first floor.

Training employees in manual handling.

Training in manual handling and the use of shovels
and wheelbarrows.
Only suitably trained personnel to work with plant.
Plant and equipment to be registered and
maintained P.P.E equipment such as (fluorescent)
vest.
Plant operator to be aware of site personnel.
Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E equipment required.
Provide and wear correct P.P.E equipment
required.
Ensure access and entry is clearly defined and
clear of debris.
Avoid rough terrain.
Ensure trenches have been filled or fall protection
and barricades are in place.
Ensure clear and defined egress into job.
Ensure if trades are working above that drop zones
are clearly defined and not entered into.
Training in the use of P.P.E equipment.
Use P.P.E equipment such as fluorescent vests,
hardhats, safety footwear.
Training in the set up and use of portable ladders.
Ensure stair void protection is in place and secure.
All ladders should be adequately supported at the
base and tide at the top.
Set ladder at a slope of approximately 4 in 1.
Ladder must be extended past landing by 1.0m.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Installation of internal
water service and
drainage cont.,

Trips, falls when setting up extension

leads

Communicate / consult with Supervisor and other

trades working in the area to ensure minimal
disruption to work.
Always seek assistance if necessary ensuring team
lifts are coordinated.
Training in the set up and running of extension
leads.

Cuts, abrasions, splinter, eye, ear damage Training in the use of P.P.E equipment such as
gloves, safety glasses, ear and foot protection
when cutting and installing support
when required.
trimmers.
Injuries from nail guns.

Keep hands and limbs out of range.

Injury from power tools.

Train and provide correct P.P.E equipment for the

required task.
Training in the use of power tools.
Electrical test, tagging and register of all power
tools and equipment.
Ensure earth leakage switch is installed on main
supply or portable generators.
Maintain and service all equipment.
Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E equipment required.
Provide and wear correct P.P.E equipment
required.
Cylinders should be checked for leaks when
received. Do not allow any fittings of the
equipment to be contaminated with grease or oil
under any circumstances.
Ensure employees are trained to handle and use
cylinders and their contents safely.

Electrocution.

Contact with substances classified as

hazardous. Short & long-term health
affects eg overcome by vapours, rash
allergy and disease.
Short or long term health affect from using
LPG cylinders, overcome by vapours,
rash, allergy, disease and burns.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Installation of internal
water service and
drainage cont.,

Burns, sparks hitting eyes, explosion and

fire when using Oxy Acetylene.

Falls from climbing in and on frames and

trusses or from ladders.
Injuries from cutting and gluing materials.

Installation of Downpipe

Cuts, abrasion, eye, ear and damage to

feet, overcome by vapours.

Slips & trips when moving around the site.

Reserve cylinders should not be stored in work

area.
Provide training in the use of P.P.E equipment
used for the required tasks.
A No Smoking rule should be strictly enforced.
Gas cylinders must be stored in a well-ventilated
area away from heat sources, other dangerous
substances and protected from accidental impact.
Gloves to be worn, high visibility vests to be
removed prior to using oxy acetylene as the vests
are highly flammable.
Training in the correct use of P.P.E equipment
such as eye protection.
All oxy equipment to have flash-back arrestors
fitted.
Fire extinguisher to be available.
Training in the use of portable ladders and working
from heights.
Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E equipment required.
Provide and wear correct P.P.E equipment
required.
Provide MSDS.
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E equipment required.
Provide and wear correct P.P.E equipment such as
ear, eye and safety footwear.
Ensure trenches have been filled or fall protection
and barricades are in place.
Ensure work area is clear of waste materials, avoid
rough terrain.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Falls when installing.
Installation of Downpipe
cont.,

Sunburn
Manual handling injuries.
Electrocution.

Fitting off PC items &

Appliances.

Manual handling injuries from lifting

materials.
Cuts, abrasions, eye, ear and damage to
feet, overcome by vapours.
Contact with substances classified as
hazardous.
Slips, trips & falls when carrying tools and
materials.
Electrocution

Slip, trips & falls due to insufficient

lighting.
Lack of adequate ventilation in roof or
floor cavity illness, breathing difficulties,
being overcome by fumes, dust particles.
Installation of External
Drainage & Sewer

Personnel hit by road traffic, on site plant

and equipment.

Training in the use and set-up of portable ladders.

Training employees in working at heights.
Use PPE equipment such as hats, protective
clothing, sun creams.
Training in manual handling.
Electrical test, tagging and register of all power
tools and equipment.
Ensure earth leakage switch is installed on main
supply or portable generators.
Training in manual handling.
Use team lifting techniques or mechanical means
for manual handling.
Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E required
Ensure clear access to work area.
Training in manual handling.
Stack materials neatly and clear of work areas.
Training in the use and set-up of portable ladders.
Electrical test, tagging and register of all power
tools and equipment.
Ensure earth leakage switch is installed on main
supply or portable generators.
Ensure adequate lighting is provided especially in
basement and other enclosed areas.
Ensure adequate ventilation of work area. Do not
allow fuelled equipment to continuously run in the
immediate vicinity of the work area.
Ensure all employees are properly advised and
trained.
Unload vehicles in area clear of traffic, plant and
equipment.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement

Installation of External
Drainage & Sewer
cont.,

Hit by plant and equipment when

excavating trenches backfilling and
installation of pips.
Tripping, falling into open trenches.
Collapse / Entrapment.

Contact with substances classified as

hazardous.

Manual handling injuries while using

shovels and wheelbarrows.
Injury from hitting underground services
such as gas, electricity and water mains.
I have read and understood the content of this Safe Work Method Statement

Workers name

Signature

Ensure workers are supervised when unloading

plant, equipment and materials.
Ensure hazard signage is available for all workers
to display.
Only suitably trained personnel to work with plant.
Plant & equipment to be registered and
maintained.
P.P.E equipment such as (fluorescent) vest.
Plant operator to be aware of site personnel.
P.P.E equipment such as (fluorescent) vest. Plant
operator to be aware of site personnel.
Training employees in excavation works. Ensure
trenches have been filled or fall protection and
barricades are in place. Avoid rough terrain.
Induction / awareness, bench and shore trenches if
required.
Ensure position of hole is clearly marked.
Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Provide training in the use of hazardous
substances and P.P.E equipment required.
Provide and wear correct P.P.E equipment
required.
Manual handling training in using shovels and
wheelbarrows.
Seek instruction from site management; utilize Dial
before you dig where necessary.
Prepare emergency plan in event of accident.

Approved By

Date
Workers name

Signature

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.