How to Prepare and Use a SWMS to Manage High-Risk Construction Work

On Australian job sites, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are more than a legal requirement, they’re a critical part of delivering high-risk construction work without indecent, delay or regulatory exposure.

For project managers, site supervisors, and head contractors, the SWMS is one of the few tools that directly connects planning, compliance, and day-to-day execution. It forces clarity: What’s the hazard? Who owns the control? And what happens when conditions change?

But not all SWMS are created equal. Vague statements and templated language won’t hold up under inspection—or protect your crew when it counts.

This article breaks down when SWMS are required, who’s responsible for developing them, and how to prepare, brief, and monitor them so they actually work on site

What is a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a site-specific safety planning document required for all high-risk construction work under Safe Work Australia’s model WHS regulations

Here’s how it works:

• The SWMS identifies specific high-risk tasks and clearly describes the associated hazards and the control measures required to eliminate or minimise risk. 
• For each of these, it provides information on the roles and individuals who would “own” or be responsible for carrying out and monitoring each control.
• SWMS are prepared before work begins, reviewed whenever site conditions change, and kept readily available for any workers affected by (or involved in) high risk activities.

Because the SWMS lists out tasks, it’s tempting to view it as a kind of list of step-by-step work procedures. However, it’s much more strategic to consider SWMSs an essential risk management and safety planning tool. 

And since its main aim is to prevent incidents before and during high-risk activities, many contractors now use safety management software to create, issue, and manage SWMS in real time across projects.

Why are SWMSs Important?

The development and use of SWMSs go beyond compliance. Functionally speaking, SWMSs contractors manage safety risks and deliver projects more efficiently. Here are four primary benefits of an SWMS for construction work:

• Improve Safety Outcomes

  SWMSs require early identification of hazards and documentation of controls. This proactive approach helps prevent serious incidents by shifting teams from reactive problem-solving to forward planning.

• Support Legal Compliance

  High-risk construction work cannot proceed without an SWMS in place. These documents demonstrate due diligence under WHS Regulations and help contractors avoid stop-work notices, penalties, or legal action.

• Strengthen Team Coordination

  Preparing and briefing a SWMS ensures that supervisors and workers understand site-specific risks, agreed controls, and individual responsibilities before work begins.

• Reduce Project Costs and Delays

  Fewer safety incidents mean fewer delays, lower injury-related costs, and reduced risk of reputational damage. A well-implemented SWMS also supports broader quality and risk management systems, contributing to more predictable project delivery.

When is a SWMS Required?

Under Australia’s model WHS Regulations, a SWMS is mandatory for any high-risk construction work. This legal requirement applies across all states and territories.

High-risk construction work involves activities with an elevated risk of serious injury or death, such as:

• Work where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres
• Work near live electrical installations or services
• Demolition of load-bearing structures
• Work in or near a confined space
• Work involving asbestos

Who Prepares a SWMS?

The party carrying out the high-risk construction work—including subcontractors, specialist contractors, or self-employed workers engaged to perform the task—is responsible for preparing an SWMS.

Usually, this means assigning a principal contractor or Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)as the individual who will lead the development, ensuring that their team prepares, reviews, and submits a compliant SWMS. They’re also the point-person in charge of keeping the SWMS accessible on-site and updating the asset when conditions change.

While the PCBU leads the creation of the SWMS, they’re not the only role or individual contributing to the content captured within the statement. Along with any health and safety representatives, workers offer key input and contribute to an accurate document. 

The PCBU needs to ensure that their interests are reflected because this ultimately makes it more likely to be followed. SWMSs are meant to be practical and applicable in real-world situations, while also supporting broader, team-wide goals like shared accountability.

How to Prepare a SWMS?

A SWMS that doesn’t match real-world workflows is worse than useless—it creates risk.

Here is how to prepare one that works:

Consult With Relevant Workers and Stakeholders

Begin by identifying all high-risk activities within the scope of work. Engage supervisors, health and safety representatives, and the workers responsible for the tasks.

This early consultation helps uncover site-specific risks and ensures the controls are practical for real-world conditions. It also builds understanding and buy-in, which supports better compliance.

Identify Hazards

For each high-risk task, document the potential hazards.

These may arise from site layout, weather, nearby services, equipment, or materials.

Reviewing past incidents or similar job conditions can also help uncover less obvious construction risks. The goal is to capture all credible hazards that could impact worker safety.

Assess Risks

Once hazards are identified, assess each one using a standard risk matrix.

Consider both the likelihood of the event occurring and the severity of the consequences. Prioritise both likely and severe hazards, and assign risk ratings to guide the level of control required.

Assign Control Measures

Apply the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce each risk as far as reasonably practicable. 

Controls must be specific, actionable, and achievable in the field. Every control should clearly explain what is required, when it must be done, and what standard must be met.  

Controls should be written for the crew, not the regulator. The goal is safe execution—not legal coverage alone.

Assign Responsibilities

For each control, clearly state who is responsible for implementation and monitoring. Confirm that those assigned understand their role and how it fits into the broader SWMS. 

Responsibilities should be practical and enforceable, with accountability maintained throughout the task.

Document the SWMS

Use a clear, standardised template that includes:

• A description of the work
• Identified hazards and associated risks
• Agreed controls and assigned responsibilities
• Procedures for monitoring, review, and revision

Keep the language direct, focusing on what needs to happen on site. Where relevant, include diagrams, annotated plans, or supporting documentation that improves clarity.

Review the SWMS With Workers

Before work begins, conduct a pre-start briefing with all involved personnel.

Walk through the SWMS, confirm that controls are understood, and clarify any questions. Use this opportunity to reinforce expectations and confirm who is responsible for what.

Best Practices for Implementing and Monitoring a SWMS

A SWMS is only effective when actively communicated, monitored, and regularly updated. Implementing the following practices will ensure that the SWMS remains relevant, practical, and enforceable throughout the task.

Continuously Monitor Work and Verify Controls

SWMS compliance must be actively supervised. Relying on workers to self-manage high-risk tasks is insufficient. Site managers should build routine verification into daily workflows:

• Observe work in progress and compare it directly against the documented controls
• Use checklists, digital forms, or field inspection tools to record compliance in real time
• Speak with workers regularly to assess whether controls are practical and being followed as intended

Encourage reporting of unsafe conditions or breakdowns in the SWMS process. Workers should feel supported, not penalised, for flagging issues that could compromise safety.

Enforce and Adjust as Needed

Stop the task immediately if a control measure is not followed or proves unworkable on site. Investigate why the failure occurred (whether due to unclear wording, site conditions, or communication gaps), and update the SWMS accordingly.

Once revised, rebrief the affected team and confirm that everyone understands the change. This reinforces a safety culture where stopping unsafe work is expected and actively supported.

Revise the SWMS When Conditions Change

A SWMS is only useful if it reflects current site conditions. When key variables shift, the document must be updated before work continues. Review and revise the SWMS when:

• Work zones, access paths, or staging plans are modified
• New subcontractors, equipment, or materials are brought onto site
• A near miss, incident, or hazard reassessment identifies new risks

Revisions should be immediate, not deferred to end-of-day reports. Document the update, confirm everyone affected is briefed, and track who received the change.

Use Construction Safety Software to Streamline Monitoring

Digital safety platforms help manage SWMS updates and tracking more efficiently, especially on large or multi-site projects. They can support:

• Instant distribution of revised documents
• Version control with audit-ready records
• Real-time compliance alerts and issue tracking
• Integration with daily site reporting and inspection tools

Software should simplify SWMS management, not add complexity. Choose systems that align with your existing safety workflows and give supervisors the tools to act quickly when issues arise.

Promote Ongoing Learning and Improvement

Use SWMS implementation as a feedback loop. Every project provides lessons that can strengthen future planning. Set up a structured review process to:

• Analyse site data for recurring issues, missed controls, or repeated clarifications
• Capture field-level feedback to improve the clarity and practicality of future SWMS
• Update internal templates to reflect more effective phrasing, sequencing, or visual aids

Run regular training sessions to reinforce how SWMS work, what legal responsibilities apply, and how workers can report concerns. Strong implementation depends on shared understanding and consistent application.

SWMS help construction teams manage risk and stay compliant.

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) helps contractors stay compliant, protect workers, and reduce the risk of costly delays. Construction teams can control high-risk activities and improve project outcomes by preparing, communicating, and actively monitoring the SWMS.

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