How to edit a document
This help article will show you how to tailor our Safe Work Method Statements to suit your business and the jobsite you will use it on.
Opening The Document
All documents are supplied in Microsoft Word 2003 document format (*.doc). You will require at minimum Microsoft Word 2003 which is found on the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, which is one of the most popular word processing programs used around the world. If you cannot open this document type and require it in another file type, feel free to contact us using our contact us form here and we will do our best to convert the documents into a format that you can use.
To open the document find the file you downloaded from our website and double left click on it to open it.
The First Page
The first page is where you will be making the most changes. OH&S Regulation specifies that each document is required to be job specific so OHS Docs Australia has made it easy for you to add all of your businesses details.
At the very top of the first page you will see the title SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT. This is the header of the document. All Safe Work Method Statements require you to put your registered business address and contact details in the header of the document. As you will see on the top left we have made a space for you to put in your business address, phone number and fax number. You can fill this out manually by simply printing the document and completing it in pen, or you can do this in the word processing program. To edit the header simply double left click on it or go to the “View” Menu and click “Header and Footer”. This will place your cursor in the header where you can type in your address and other details. When finished simply click the “Close” button on the header and footer menu bar that appeared. (see picture below)
Click here to see an example of the first page with the header open
Next is the Company and site details. Simply place your cursor into each section of the table and type in your Company Name, Project Name, Project Address, Principal Contractor Name, Date you are on site.
For “This Safe Work Method Statement has been developed and approved by” you put in the name of the managing director or director of the business, and they must sign off that they approve of the Safe Work Method Statement after you have printed it. This is a mandatory requirement.(see picture below)
Click here to see an example of the first page with your details almost complete
The Second Page
With all of our Safe Work Method Statements this section is completed for you. But don't let that stop you from adding anything extra, for example, you might need to list another specific qualification required to complete the task, or you might need to list more items of PPE or equipment. Simply add it to the sections via the word processor, or print it out and use the extra space we provided to write it in with pen.
IMPORTANT NOTE: With all of our Safe Work Method Statements the section “Personal Qualifications & Experience Construction workers with minimum ___ years experience” you are required to write in the minimum number of years experience you feel an employee requires to complete this task. You can either add it via the word processor, or print it out and use the space we provided to write it in with pen. (see picture below)
Click here to see an example of the second page
The Body
This section like all Safe Work Method Statements can be changed to suit the particular job or any extra hazard you might encounter. All Safe Work Method Statements are ever-changing documents. You might have an extra task that you need to complete, or you have identified another hazard that you need to control, feel free to add to this section via the word processing program you are using. Otherwise we have created a blank table for you to write in by hand. Remember to list the task, list the additional hazards that you will encounter, classify these hazards using the hazard classification table on page one, write in ways to control those hazards, and write in the person responsible for controlling those hazards. (see picture below)
The Last Page
This page does not need to be edited or changed in the word processing program but once you have printed the document and have taken it to the job site make sure all employees carrying out the task read and understand the Safe Work Method Statements. Then have them print and sign their names on the last page followed by verifying this by having their supervisor sign the “SWMS Training Conducted By” column and fill in the date. It is mandatory that this page is signed off before any employees are allowed to carry out the task on a jobsite.
Final Note
If you are handy with the word processing program you are using you can add business logos and match your corporate colours to integrate the Safe Work Method Statement into your corporate identity for that extra professional look.