Risk Management (Safe Work Method Statements)

Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Training

Outcomes

• Basic understanding of Risk Management• Hazard Idenfitifcation• What is a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)? • How a Risk Matrix is used• When is a SWMS needed?• Who reviews SWMS?• How often does SWMS need to be revised?

Our Safety Culture requires

Risk Management

Risk management is one of the most important activities that a business can undertake to ensure that it reduces the likelihood and consequence of harm to people, or company assets.

Risk Management

Examples of hazards

Examples of hazards

Mobile plant Noise

Cave in / EngulfmentFumes

Unsecure scaffolding

Dust

How to identify Hazards

There are many methods which are useful for identifying hazards, including:

1. Walk around your workplace and look UP, DOWN & AROUND to see what could reasonably be expected to cause harm

2. Ask your work mates what they think. They may have noticed things that are not immediately obvious to you.

3. Check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for chemicals and equipment as they can be very helpful in spelling out the hazards

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Legal requirements :

The OSH Act and Regulations require employers protect employees against the risks associated with carrying out their duties.

SWMS provide a system where hazards are identified and controlled.

Planning Tool :

To identify hazards the job is broken into steps. This process can raise awareness of how the job is to progress, and defines each team members role in completing the task. The correct tools and materials for the job are also identified.

Keeping everybody Safe ! :

Appropriate controls help to protect people, the environment and property.

Swiss Cheese Model

• The Swiss cheese model illustrates the several barriers between a hazard and an accident / incident.

Risk Register

SWMS

Permit

Plant Risk Assessment/ Prestart Check

Swiss Cheese Model

• An accident / incident occurs when the holes align.

Risk Register

SWMS

Permit

Plant Risk Assessment/ Prestart Check

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a documented process for identifying and controlling health and safety hazards and risks.

It is similar to a JHA or JSA in that it is a step-by-step approach to safety and can be used for any work activity.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

It is important to complete all sections on the SWMS

Risk Matrix

A risk matrix is designed to identify the Risk Ranking associated with a given task or decision. Two steps must be considered:

• Determine the Likelihood (how often has it happened in the past);

• Determine the potential Consequence of the accident/incident

Level of risk

What is the likelihood of an accident/injury occurring?

What is the potential consequence?

Working on roof(Initial Risk)

Initial Risk Ranking (before controls) = High 8

Can we eliminate the need to the worker to be in on the roof? Work from below?

Is there a less hazardous process?

Engineering controls? Guard railing?

Administration controls such as a procedure outlining what is acceptable when working at height.

What PPE can we use? Fall restraint or arrest?

Hierarchy of Controls

Implement controls:• Conduct roof work with guardrails in place

(Engineering)• Admin control (Procedure & SWMS)

After Controls (Residual Risk)

Initial Risk Ranking (before controls) = High 8

Residual Risk Ranking (after controls) = Low 21

All personnel involved in the task must read and sign onto the SWMS before commencing work. This will ensure that each person understands their safety responsibilities to themselves and their workmates.

Sign on

Who reviews SWMS?

The Site Manager and Supervisor is authorised to review SWMS.

If a SWMS is not up to scratch, return it to the owner for further information. We do not accept poor quality SWMS !

Poor Planning = Poor Performance

How often is a SWMS reviewed?

A Safe Work Method Statement must be reviewed and re-signed at least every 30 days or whenever site conditions change. Changes to conditions may include (but are not limited to):

• Weather (slight rain, heavy wind, hot days etc.)• New personnel have joined the workgroup• An injury has occurred during the task• Other people or activities are commencing in close proximity to the task

(i.e. need for welding shields, exclusion zones)• Different equipment required(may require additional licensing or

competency)• The identification of new hazards which may impact the work task.

How often is a SWMS reviewed?

Conclusion

A Safe Work Method Statement is an important document which requires personnel to think about their work task, consider what could go wrong and the safety controls needed to ensure works are completed without incident.