Top Five Tips for Writing SWMS

Tearing your hair out about SWMS?

If you work in the trades and construction industry, you’re most likely tearing your hair out about SWMS. I recently met a tradie who had a folder full of SWMS in the work ute, which had not been touched for several months. This is a common occurrence.

The problem is there is a lack of understanding about what SWMS are, and when they should be used. When prepared, they are too long, and therefore people will not read them or get any value out of them. They usually include far too much information about non- high-risk construction work.

Reach out for help

If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary SWMS and content, and ensure the ones you prepare are relevant, effective and comply with legislative requirements, call us now on 1300 647 669, or visit our website www.smartinsafety.com.au for more info.

Top 5 Tips

• You only need to prepare SWMS for high risk construction work (there are 19 activities)
• Don’t start with, arrive onsite and sign in as these steps are not high risk construction work.
• SWMS must be site specific, and relevant to the risks on your site.
• Make sure they reflect how you are actually going to do the job (do not say your going to work off scaffold and then use an EWP)
• Keep a copy onsite with you, when you are performing the work (not at your office).