Safe Work Method Statements

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) documents a process for identifying and controlling health and safety hazards and risks.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007, an SWMS must be prepared before high risk construction work begins, if anyone’s health and safety is at risk because of the work, but SWMS can be used for any other work activities.

An SWMS is similar to a Job safety analysis (JSA), which has been widely used in Victorian industry. Employers may continue to use existing JSA formats providing they contain all the information required of an SWMS.

To search for all available guidance and information on this topic, use the ‘Information Map’ or the ‘Forms & Publications’ section displayed on the left-hand side of this page.