SWMS BRANDING, CUSTOMISING & IMPLEMENTATION … · swms branding, customising & implementation instructions Thank you for purchasing a SafetyCulture SWMS. As part of the process of

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Document Title: SWMS Branding, Customising & Implementation Instructions Document #: 30103 Version #: 5 © SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved Issue Date: 8/06/2020

SWMS BRANDING, CUSTOMISING & IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing a SafetyCulture SWMS. As part of the process of implementing your SWMS, we have prepared this guide to help you make your SWMS a custom fit for your company.

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a document that outlines the high-risk construction work activities to be carried out at a workplace, the hazards that may arise from these activities, and the measures to put in place to control the risks. SWMS are required for high risk construction work activities, as defined in the relevant Regulations. The content of your SWMS can be refined over time and must include consultation with workers. These steps are made easy with your ready to use document.

Branding and Customisation Instructions

1. Open your Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) using MS Word. 2. Optional customisation includes: 3. ‘Cut and Paste’ your company logo into the header in place of the SafetyDocs logo. If you do not have a logo for your business just delete the SafetyCulture logo 4. Change the main colours of the tables to suit your company colours 5. Complete the Company Details, Project Details and relevant worker consultation as demonstrated on the SWMS. Sample on page 5 of these instructions.

PPE Images

1. Check the correct PPE icons are present on your SWMS (common icons are provided within the table below)

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Implementing your SWMS It is important that your SWMS be relevant to your business and all people involved with the task have a full understanding of the risks involved with undertaking that work and, to implement the risk controls outlined in the SWMS. The following steps will assist you in making sure your SWMS is fit for task. Remember, this is your document and can be customised as you see fit.

1. Consider the workplace and each stage of the work, including site preparation and clean-up. 2. Consult with all relevant workers, contractors and Health and Safety Representatives (HSR’s) regarding the work to be covered by the SWMS, the activities involved

in carrying out the work, and the associated hazards, risks and controls. 3. Ensure the SWMS has clearly identified all of the hazards and subsequent risks for the work to be undertaken by identifying the hazards, risks and controls for each

activity. 4. Check the existing controls are suitable for your work practices (modify if necessary) 5. If additional hazards and risks are identified but not covered by the SWMS they must be added to a new row and the appropriate controls listed 6. Break the job down into logical activities. Where it makes sense to address a range of activities with one control measure, group them into one entry on the SWMS 7. Describe what will be done to control the risk (what will you do to make the activity as safe as possible?) Start by trying to eliminate the risk, and, if it is not reasonably

practicable to eliminate the risk, then move down the hierarchy of risk controls. 8. Check the Risk Ratings are suitable using the Risk Assessment guide provided on page 2 of the SWMS. 9. Add the names of the people who will follow up on the controls to the ‘Responsible Officer’ column.

Selecting risk controls

Work health and safety laws require risk controls to be selected following a “Hierarchy of Control”.

The following diagram provides some examples of how risk controls can be selected following the hierarchy of control.

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RISK MATRIX STEP 1: DETERMINE LIKELIHOOD: What is the possibility that the effect will occur? STEP 2: DETERMINE CONSEQUENCE: What will be the expected effect?

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION LEVEL OF EFFECT: EXAMPLE OF EACH LEVEL: ALMOST CERTAIN

Expected in most circumstances. The effect is a common result. INSIGNIFICANT/

ACCEPTABLE No effect – or so minor that effect is acceptable.

LIKELY Will probably occur in most circumstances.

The effect is known to have occurred previously. MINOR First Aid treatment only.

POSSIBLE Might occur at some time. The effect could occur or, I’ve heard of it happening. MODERATE Serious injuries, medium business interruption, medium

environmental impact.

UNLIKELY Could occur at some time. The effect is not likely to occur or, I have not heard of it happening before. MAJOR

Extensive injuries/Death; significant business interruption, major loss of credibility, Environmental harm, prosecution.

RARE May occur only in exceptional circumstances. The effect is practically impossible. CATASTROPHIC

Multiple Permanent Total Disability injuries; multiple deaths. Business failure, substantial environmental harm, prosecution/imprisonment.

STEP 3: DETERMINE THE RISK SCORE: CONSEQUENCE STEP 4: RECORD RISK SCORE ON THE WORKSHEET: (Note – Risk scores have no absolute value and should only be used for comparison and to engender discussion.) LIKELIHOOD INSIGNIFICANT MINOR MODERATE MAJOR CATASTROPHIC

ALMOST CERTAIN 3 HIGH 3 HIGH 4 ACUTE 4 ACUTE 4 ACUTE SCORE ACTION

LIKELY 2 MOD. 3 HIGH 3 HIGH 4 ACUTE 4 ACUTE 4A: ACUTE DO NOT PROCEED. Requires immediate attention. Introduce further high-level controls to lower the risk level. Re-assess before proceeding.

POSSIBLE 1 LOW 2 MOD. 3 HIGH 4 ACUTE 4 ACUTE 3H: HIGH Review before commencing work. Introduce new controls and/or maintain high-level controls to lower the risk level. Monitor frequently to ensure control measures are working.

UNLIKELY 1 LOW 1 LOW 2 MOD. 3 HIGH 4 ACUTE 2M: MOD. Maintain control measures. Proceed with work. Monitor and review regularly, and if any equipment/people/materials/work processes or procedures change.

RARE 1 LOW 1 LOW 2 MOD. 3 HIGH 3 HIGH 1L: LOW Record and monitor. Proceed with work. Review regularly, and if any equipment/people/materials/work processes or procedures change.

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Consultation

It is important to consult with relevant workers during the selection of controls and remember that any changes to the task (including introducing new equipment and ways of doing things) can result in new risks that must be controlled. Ensure sufficient training, information, instruction and supervision is provided where required.

The person responsible for carrying out the work is the person best placed to prepare the SWMS in consultation with workers who will be directly engaged in the work. Generally, this means a SWMS is prepared by the builder for their workers, or by the subcontractor for their workers and themselves.

The principal contractor, builder and subcontractors should consult with each other to determine who is in the best position to prepare the SWMS. Consulting with workers is important so they understand the content of the SWMS and what is required to implement and maintain risk controls. If there is a Health and Safety Representative at the workplace they should also be consulted when developing a SWMS.

1. Consult with your workers about the content of the finalised SWMS, in particular the identified hazards and the specific controls selected for the site. 2. Discuss the content via a toolbox or safety meeting with all concerned parties. 3. Give consideration to any feedback provided to create further risk controls specific for your site or task.

Referencing SafetyCulture maintains an update to date reference list of applicable Australian and New Zealand regulations and codes of practice. This reference list is updated every quarter and is an invaluable tool in keeping your SWMS current. This is particularly important for anyone who is required to supply their SWMS to a regulator or, to Principal contractors for contract and tendering purposes. The list can be accessed on the following URL address or FREE from your tax invoice.

https://safetyculture.com.au/ohs-legislation-codes-of-practice-reference-list-31105

1. Simply choose the relevant Country/State/Territory references from the list that are applicable to your operations 2. Copy and paste the relevant references to the position indicated in your document. (see page 6 of the example SWMS)

SWMS Compliance (monitoring and review) High-risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with the SWMS. It is a legislated requirement that arrangements are put in place to ensure the SWMS is being complied with, for example workplace visits, and reviewed at regular intervals If work is not being carried out in accordance with the SWMS then work must stop immediately. In these cases, the SWMS should be reviewed and amended to reflect the safest way to carry out the work. Work must not resume until the work can be carried out in accordance with the SWMS.

1. Brief each team member on the SWMS before commencing work. Ensure that team knows that work is to stop if a new hazard and risk is identified or if the SWMS is not followed.

2. Review risk controls within the SWMS regularly to ensure a safe system of work is in place. 3. Monitor and review the SWMS and the work being carried out:

o if a new hazard associated with the work is identified o if new information about a hazard becomes available o when a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the work o when risk controls are deemed inadequate, or the SWMS is not being followed.

4. In all of the above situations, stop the work, review the SWMS, amend as required, and brief the team on the new controls. 5. Retain all versions of the SWMS in a readily available location for the duration of the work, and for at least 2 years after the occurrence of a notifiable incident.

Prior to each new activity, the SWMS must be reviewed and revised to ensure it applies to the high-risk construction work and the actual site you are working at.

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Example SWMS

For your convenience, we have provided an example SWMS below. Note: For purposes of the example, some pages have been removed.

Example SWMS Key

Green Highlights = Information to be filled out by you. Blue Highlights = Information to be deleted by you if you feel it necessary

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If you require any further assistance with your SWMS implementation, please call our Customer Care Team on 1300 306 604 ext. 2.

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Emergency Responses Fire 4A R Rescue or Relocate people in immediate danger if you can do so without endangering

yourself. Exit via a safe fire exit. Do not use elevators

A Sound the Alarm. Advise others of the situation. Call the Fire Brigade (000) from a safe distance.

C Confine the fire by closing all doors, windows and other openings, and shutting off the piped and compressed gas as you are EVACUATING.

E Evacuate the area on direction from the Site Manager or when it is unsafe to remain in the area. (Extinguish the fire only if you have been trained and feel competent and safe to do so. Only small fires are possible to extinguish, so always be prepared to evacuate).

�

Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedure in place Supervisors and workers ensure controls are followed Burns 4A � Hold burnt area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes or until the skin returns to normal

temperature. � Remove jewellery and clothing from the burnt area unless stuck. � Cover burn with a non-adherent/burns dressing (or aluminium foil, plastic wrap, or a wet clean

dressing) � Seek medical attention as soon as possible

Plant roll-over 4A � Establish communication with victims (if applicable) and maintain for entire rescue. Conduct response as required for specific conditions at the site

� Operator: o Do not attempt to jump from the plant during roll-over, remain in seat with seatbelt on o After an incident has occurred, if able, turn off engine o Remain in position with the seatbelt on until help arrives, unless it is safe to exit cabin o If it is safe and injuries permit, exit cabin without jumping, and move clear from plant

� Personnel: o Clear non-essential persons from the area o Check for fuel and/or fluid leaks. Ensure there are no ignition sources o Check for fire or fire/explosion risks. Use suitable fire protection equipment to control fire

(if safe to do so) o Do not approach the plant until Emergency Responders attend the scene

The plant may be unstable and unsafe to approach Do not place first responders at risk – await assistance from suitably trained and

resourced Emergency Responders

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Struck by mobile plant

4A � All workers on-site are trained and familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures � A qualified first aider is present � A communication system is available, e.g. a mobile phone or radio � Call 000 immediately if a person is entrapped, has been crushed or has been hit by plant � Do not attempt to rescue a person who is trapped or has been crushed by a vehicle or plant

unless Emergency Services personnel have provided direction and it is safe to do so � Check for dangers to self before helping others and maintain control of the area and stabilise the

situation � Only move the item of plant if no further risk of injury will occur � Apply first aid to the injured worker and complete an incident report.

�

Contact with utilities

4A � Stop work and clear the area � Contact emergency services and service provider immediately � Seek medical attention for injured persons � If safe to do so set up an exclusion zone

Electrocution 4A If High Voltage is involved - Call 000 immediately DO NOT APPROACH THE VICTIM Stay clear of electrical wires and equipment

Wait for Emergency Services to arrive, secure the area – keep others away. 1. DO NOT be the next victim – if unsure of what to do and how to do it safely to assist an

injured person – call for help and Call 000 immediately. 2. A person who is being shocked or has been shocked needs to be disconnected from the

source of electrical power. ONLY if safe to do so. Locate the power shut off switch and turn it off.

3. If the disconnecting device cannot be located, the victim can be pried or pulled from the circuit by an insulated object such as a dry wood board, piece of non-metallic conduit, or rubber electrical cord. ONLY if safe to do so.

4. Victims need an immediate medical response: only when there is NO further risk of electric shock - check the victim for breathing and pulse, then apply CPR as necessary.

5. If a victim is still conscious after having been shocked, they need to be closely monitored and cared for until trained emergency response personnel arrive.

6. Call 000. 7. Answer all questions and follow instructions given by Emergency Services operator. 8. DO NOT hang up until instructed. 9. There is a risk of physiological shock, so keep the victim warm and comfortable. 10. Shock victims may suffer heart trouble up to several hours after being shocked. The danger of

electric shock does not end after the immediate medical attention.

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Chemical spill 4A � Clean up spills immediately and dispose of contaminated material properly. With some chemicals, a vacuum is recommended for clean-up rather than a broom or compressed air. (The idea is to collect and confine the contaminant, not just spread it around.)

� Minor spill: 1. Stop the source of the spill or leak or release

a. If that is not possible & it is safe to do so - stop the spill or release from spreading 2. Turn off any ignition sources if safe to do so 3. Use Spill Kit: (as required)

a. Position socs on a downhill slope or surround spill if on flat ground b. Block stormwater inlets with drain sealing mats c. Float Booms around the spill if on water

Asphyxiation 4A CALL 000 (112 MOBILE) Inform the operator of the emergency Answer all questions and follow instructions given by the emergency operator DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL INSTRUCTED.

Suspension trauma

4A � Document and rehearse post-fall rescue: o All equipment required present. o Suitable for an effective rescue with 5 minutes (take into account the type of work being

conducted and lanyard attachment point) o If the suspension is likely to exceed 5 minutes, use a harness with foothold straps. o I think it starts at the hiring point with the type of people employed Use of pre-rigged retrieval

system wherever possible � After a fall: o Ensure worker moves legs in the harness – push against the foothold o If unconscious: Take at least 30-40 minutes to slowly move the victim from kneeling to sitting

to a supine position – sudden rush of blood can cause fatality o Take harness out of service until it is deemed safe to use again by a competent person.

Documents

SWMS BRANDING, CUSTOMISING & IMPLEMENTATION … · swms branding, customising & implementation instructions Thank you for purchasing a SafetyCulture SWMS. As part of the process of