Documents that control risk, not just tick a box
Risk management sits at the heart of WHS law. Duty holders must eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable and, where that isn’t possible, minimise them using the hierarchy of control measures. Risk assessments, SWMS and JSAs are the tools that show how you’ve done that.
The problem is that many of these documents are generic, copied from one job to the next and signed without being read. That helps nobody, and a SWMS that doesn’t reflect the actual work can count against you after an incident. We prepare documents that are specific to your work, your site and your controls, and we involve your workers in developing them.
We prepare and review
- Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Job Safety Analyses (JSA/JHA)
- Task and site-specific risk assessments
- Plant and equipment risk assessments
- Hazardous manual task assessments
- Psychosocial risk assessments
- Subcontractor SWMS reviews for principal contractors
Our services
The right tool for each job
Safe Work Method Statements
A SWMS is required before high risk construction work starts. It sets out the work, the hazards and the control measures, and must be prepared in consultation with workers, kept available and reviewed when things change.
Job Safety Analyses
A JSA breaks a task into steps, identifies the hazards in each step and records the controls. It’s a practical tool for routine and non-routine tasks outside high risk construction work.
Risk assessments
A structured assessment of hazards, likelihood and consequence, used to decide which controls are reasonably practicable. Required by the regulations for some hazards and good practice for all.
Plant and equipment
Risk assessments for machinery and plant, covering guarding, isolation, maintenance and safe operation.
Psychosocial hazards
Assessments of risks such as high job demands, poor support, bullying, harassment and fatigue, which must be managed like any other WHS risk.
SWMS reviews for principal contractors
Independent review of subcontractor SWMS before work starts, so you know the controls are adequate and specific to the job.
When is a SWMS required?
Under the WHS Regulation, a SWMS must be prepared before high risk construction work starts. High risk construction work includes, for example:
- Work where a person could fall more than 2 metres
- Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
- Work in or near a confined space
- Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
- Demolition of load-bearing elements of a structure
- Work likely to involve disturbing asbestos
- Work on or next to a road or rail corridor in use by traffic
- Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
The full list is set out in the regulations. Not sure whether your work is covered? Ask us. We’ll tell you what’s required and prepare it with you.
Our approach
How we prepare your documents
Understand the task
We look at the actual work, the site conditions, the plant and the people involved.
Consult
We talk with the workers and supervisors who do the job. They know where the real risks are.
Apply the hierarchy
We look for ways to eliminate or engineer out risk before relying on procedures and PPE.
Keep it usable
Documents are clear, specific and short enough to be read, with a simple process for review.
Can’t we just use a SWMS template?
A template is a reasonable starting point, but a SWMS has to reflect the specific work, site and controls. A generic SWMS that doesn’t match what’s happening on site misses the point of the law and gives workers little real protection.
Who is responsible for preparing a SWMS?
The business carrying out the high risk construction work must make sure a SWMS is prepared before the work starts, in consultation with the workers involved. On construction projects, the principal contractor must also take reasonable steps to obtain the SWMS before the work begins.
How often should a SWMS be reviewed?
Whenever the work or the risks change, when a control isn’t working, after an incident, or when workers raise a concern. Our SWMS include a simple review process so this actually happens.
Do you prepare psychosocial risk assessments?
Yes. Psychosocial hazards such as excessive job demands, poor support, bullying and harassment must be managed using the same risk management process as physical hazards. We help you identify, assess and control them in consultation with your workers.
Related services
WHS Audits & Inspections
Independent audits and site inspections with findings ranked by risk.
Learn more
Part-time WHS Consulting & Support
A senior WHS professional on your team for a set number of hours each month.
Learn more
WHS Training & eLearning
Practical training for officers, supervisors and workers, plus custom eLearning.
Learn more
Talk to a Chartered WHS professional
Tell us about your business and what you need. You’ll deal directly with Karim, not a sales team.