Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable process for developing, approving, implementing and reviewing SWMS across your organisation. It helps Australian businesses systematically manage high-risk construction work and other hazardous tasks, ensuring legal compliance and consistent safety standards on every job.

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are a core requirement for managing high-risk work under Australian WHS legislation, yet many organisations struggle with inconsistent formats, poor hazard identification, and SWMS that sit in a folder instead of guiding work in the field. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, end‑to‑end system for how your business will create, consult on, approve, implement, monitor and review SWMS, so they become living documents that genuinely control risk rather than paperwork produced for auditors.

The procedure defines who is responsible at each stage, how to identify when a SWMS is required, what minimum content must be included, and how to ensure workers are consulted and trained before work starts. It also sets standards for version control, document storage, and periodic review so that SWMS remain current with changes in plant, processes, legislation or site conditions. By embedding this SOP, your organisation can demonstrate due diligence, improve safety outcomes on high‑risk tasks, and present a clear, defensible process to regulators, principal contractors and clients.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, legally compliant SWMS are developed and used for all applicable high-risk work.
• Reduce the likelihood of serious incidents by systematically identifying hazards and documenting effective control measures.
• Streamline the SWMS approval workflow, reducing delays to site activities and project start‑ups.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, principal contractors and clients through a clear, auditable SWMS process.
• Improve worker engagement and understanding of risks through structured consultation and communication requirements.

Who is this for?

• Directors and Business Owners
• Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors and Forepersons
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Safety Coordinators
• Operations Managers
• Engineering and Maintenance Managers
• HSE Consultants
• HR and Training Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Uncontrolled high-risk construction work (e.g. work at heights, excavation, confined spaces, electrical work)
• Inadequate or inconsistent hazard identification across different sites or projects
• Failure to implement appropriate control measures for known risks
• Poor communication of safety requirements to workers and subcontractors
• Use of outdated or incomplete SWMS that no longer reflect current work methods or site conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (including SWMS and High-Risk Construction Work)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 When a SWMS is Required
• 5.0 SWMS Development Process and Minimum Content Requirements
• 6.0 Consultation with Workers and Subcontractors
• 7.0 SWMS Review, Approval and Authorisation Workflow
• 8.0 Communication, Training and Toolbox Talks Using SWMS
• 9.0 Implementation, Monitoring and Supervision of Work Against the SWMS
• 10.0 Managing Variations, Non-Conformances and Deviations from SWMS
• 11.0 Periodic Review, Update and Version Control of SWMS
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Storage and Document Control
• 13.0 Interface with Principal Contractors, Clients and Other Duty Holders
• 14.0 Continuous Improvement and Audit of the SWMS Process
• Appendix A – SWMS Development Checklist
• Appendix B – SWMS Template and Example
• Appendix C – Risk Matrix and Control Hierarchy Guidance

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly provisions relating to high risk construction work and SWMS)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance Material on Safe Work Method Statements for High Risk Construction Work (where applicable)