The Arse-Covering Myth One of the most dominant myths in industry is that paperwork is an ‘arse-covering’ exercise. People seem to accept and tolerate paperwork for this reason when the reality is opposite, no amount of paperwork saves your arse in court. If there is no relation between your paperwork and what you really do […]
Safe work method statement
How to Write Safety Procedures
Lots of discussion about these currently on OHS Forums, my thoughts are that we should only have one set of procedures that include any safety, not a work instruction and say a SWMS. Procedures MUST be written by or with the people doing the job and regularly reviewed – no better training!! I have been […]
Swimming Up Stream and the SWMS Dilemma
Refer also to: The Arse-Covering Myth Swimming Up Stream and the Safe Work Method Statement Dilemma I was with an organisation this week that was being inspected by the regulator. The regulator had the unenviable task of assessing whether this organisation was appropriately managing risk. The regulator generally uses several tools to determine the […]
Danger of Generic Safe Work Method Statements
Danger of Generic Safe Work Method Statements We have been concerned for some time about the propensity for some employers and contractors to use a work method statement they found on google. An activity condoned by the people they give it to and who don’t properly check it for accuracy and completeness. See our recent article […]
How To Complete a SWP
How To Complete a SWP A very common search term used to find this website is: “How to complete a SWP”. An SWP or Standard Work Procedure or Safe Work Procedure is a common and necessary requirement on all construction and building sites. Most Principle Contractors will require and approve one of these before work […]
