COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Completing Safe Work Method Statements Accurately for High-Risk Work course. This program has been developed to build the knowledge, skills and practical capability required to prepare, implement and maintain Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) that are legally compliant, accurate and genuinely effective in controlling risk during high-risk construction activities.
Safe Work Method Statements are a critical requirement under Australian work health and safety legislation and are a cornerstone of risk management in construction and other high-risk environments. This course begins by establishing a clear understanding of the purpose, scope and legal context of SWMS, including how they operate under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations. Learners explore the types of high-risk construction work that trigger mandatory SWMS requirements and examine how SWMS function not just as a compliance document, but as a practical work-planning and risk-control tool used to guide safe task execution on site.
A strong focus is placed on legislative and regulatory obligations. The section explains Safe Work Australia’s SWMS requirements, the role of SWMS in demonstrating due diligence, and the circumstances in which SWMS are legally required or not required. Learners are introduced to state and territory variations, regulator expectations and enforcement approaches, helping them understand how SWMS are assessed during inspections, audits and incident investigations.
Understanding high-risk construction work is essential to writing compliant SWMS. The section explores all 18 categories of high-risk construction work, how these activities trigger SWMS requirements and how multiple high-risk activities may overlap within a single task or project. Learners examine how to correctly link each high-risk work category to specific hazards, risks and control measures within a SWMS, ensuring alignment with legislative intent.
Clear roles and responsibilities underpin effective SWMS development and use. This section examines the duties of PCBUs, contractors, principal contractors and managing contractors, along with the responsibilities of supervisors and Health and Safety Representatives. Worker consultation is emphasised as a legal and practical requirement, with learners exploring how meaningful participation improves SWMS accuracy, ownership and on-site compliance.
Risk management principles form the foundation of every effective SWMS. Learners develop a clear understanding of hazard identification, risk assessment processes and the application of the hierarchy of control. The section explains the difference between inherent and residual risk and shows how risk management principles are translated into practical, task-based controls that reflect real work conditions.
The course provides detailed guidance on preparing SWMS using compliant templates. Learners examine mandatory template fields, task and workplace descriptions, identification of high-risk construction work categories, allocation of responsibilities, consultation records and review information. Emphasis is placed on clarity, relevance and completeness to ensure SWMS are fit for purpose.
A core component of the course focuses on writing task-based SWMS sections. Learners develop skills in breaking work into logical task steps, identifying hazards and risks for each step, and developing clear, measurable control measures. The use of diagrams, checklists and visual aids is explored to improve understanding and usability on site. Practical examples are provided for all 18 high-risk construction work categories, covering typical tasks, hazards and control measures.
Effective communication and worker participation are essential for SWMS to be implemented correctly. This section examines how SWMS should be communicated through toolbox talks, pre-start briefings and inductions, and how understanding can be ensured across diverse literacy levels and language backgrounds. Worker sign-off processes and feedback mechanisms are also explored.
Implementation and monitoring of SWMS on site are critical to their effectiveness. Learners examine requirements for making SWMS accessible, monitoring compliance during work activities, conducting supervisory checks and taking corrective actions when controls are not followed. Coordination of SWMS across subcontractors and overlapping tasks is also addressed.
SWMS are living documents that must be reviewed and updated. This section explains when SWMS must be reviewed, such as following incidents, changes in work methods or the identification of new hazards. Learners explore version control, documentation of changes, sign-off requirements and the role of SWMS review in continuous risk management.
Field observation plays a key role in improving SWMS accuracy. Learners examine how on-site observations can identify gaps between documented procedures and actual work practices, strengthen control measures and improve clarity. The course highlights how real-world feedback and hazard trends can be used to refine SWMS and enhance worker understanding.
Integration of SWMS with broader WHS and project systems is also explored. Learners examine how SWMS connect with risk registers, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety management plans, and how SWMS data can be used for training, competency assessment, audits and performance monitoring.
Strong documentation and record-keeping practices support compliance and accountability. This section covers accessibility requirements, retention periods, version history, archiving and the attachment of SWMS to contracts and induction processes.
Finally, the last section examines common pitfalls, compliance failures and real-world case studies where inadequate or missing SWMS contributed to serious incidents and enforcement action. Learners reflect on best-practice approaches and explore how continuous improvement, quality assurance processes and organisational culture can embed SWMS as an integral part of everyday safety practice.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and practical skills to complete Safe Work Method Statements accurately, confidently and compliantly—ensuring they are legally defensible, operationally practical and effective in protecting workers engaged in high-risk work.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Purpose, scope, and legal context of SWMS
- Regulatory framework under the WHS Act & Regulations
- High-risk construction work that triggers SWMS requirements
- SWMS as a risk control and work planning tool
2. Legislative & Regulatory Obligations for SWMS
- Safe Work Australia SWMS legal requirements
- SWMS and due diligence under WHS duties
- When SWMS is required and when it is not
- State/territory variations and regulator expectations for SWMS
3. High-Risk Construction Work & SWMS Applicability
- The 18 categories of high-risk work and SWMS triggers
- Work planning for overlapping high-risk activities
- Linking work categories to specific SWMS content requirements
4. Roles, Responsibilities & Worker Consultation
- PCBU and contractor SWMS duties
- Principal contractor and managing contractor responsibilities
- Worker consultation principles, participation, and documentation
- Supervisor and Health & Safety Representative roles in SWMS development
5. Risk Management Foundations for SWMS
- Understanding hazard identification and risk assessment frameworks
- Applying the hierarchy of control
- Differentiating inherent vs residual risk
- Linking risk management to daily work practices
6. Preparing SWMS: Template Fields & Requirements
- Required SWMS template components
- Workplace and task description fields
- Identifying high-risk construction work categories
- Detailing consultation, responsibilities, and review information
7. Writing Task-based SWMS Sections (Sequence of Work)
- Breaking work into task steps
- Identifying hazards and associated risks for each task
- Developing measurable controls and verification steps
- Using diagrams, checklists, and visual aids for clarity
8. SWMS Examples for the 18 categories of High-Risk Construction Work
A. Work Involving a Risk of Falling More Than 2 Metres
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
B. Work on a Telecommunication Tower
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
C. Demolition of a Structure or Load-Bearing Component
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
D. Disturbance or Removal of Asbestos
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
E. Structural Alterations Requiring Temporary Supports
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
F. Work in or Near a Confined Space
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
G. Work in or Near a Shaft, Trench, or Tunnel Deeper Than 1.5 Metres
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
H. Work on or Near Pressurised Gas Mains or Piping
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
I. Work on or Near Chemical, Fuel, or Refrigerant Lines
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
J. Work Near Energised Electrical Installations or Services
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
K. Work in an Area That May Have a Contaminated or Flammable Atmosphere
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
L. Work Involving Tilt-Up or Precast Concrete
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
M. Work On, In, or Adjacent to Roadways or Railways Used by Traffic
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
N. Work in Areas With Moving Powered Mobile Plant
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
O. Work in Areas Where Artificial Extremes of Temperature May Occur
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
P. Work In or Near Water or Areas With a Risk of Drowning
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
Q. Work Involving Diving
- Tasks Involved
- Hazards and Risks
- Control Measures
9. Worker Participation & Communication in SWMS
- Effective communication of SWMS to the workforce
- Toolbox talks, pre-start briefings, and inductions
- Ensuring SWMS is understood by workers of varied literacy/linguistic backgrounds
- Worker sign-off and feedback loop
10. SWMS Implementation and On-Site Monitoring
- Ensuring SWMS is accessible on the worksite (print or electronic)
- Monitoring compliance with SWMS during work
- Supervisory checks, observations, and corrective actions
- SWMS and subcontractor coordination
11. Reviewing and Amending SWMS
- Conditions that trigger SWMS review
- Documenting revisions and version control
- Recording review outcomes and sign-offs
- SWMS review as part of continuous risk management
12. Enhancing SWMS Accuracy Through Field Observation
- Using on-site observations to improve the accuracy and clarity of SWMS
- Identifying real-world variations in work conditions that require SWMS updates
- Strengthening control measures based on operational feedback and hazard trends
- Ensuring SWMS remain practical, usable, and aligned with the way work is actually performed
- Improving communication and worker understanding through clearer task descriptions and visual aids
13. Integrating SWMS with WHS & Project Systems
- Connecting SWMS with risk registers, JSAs, SOPs, and safety plans
- Recording SWMS outputs into WHS performance metrics
- Using SWMS for inductions, training, and competence assessments
- Audits and compliance checks on SWMS effectiveness
14. Documentation, Record Keeping & Accessibility
- Accessibility requirements for SWMS during project delivery
- Retention periods and record storage obligations
- Version history and archiving of superseded SWMS
- Ensuring SWMS attachment to contracts and inductions
15. Common Pitfalls, Compliance Failures & Case Studies
- Typical SWMS drafting errors and omissions
- Legal repercussions and enforcement examples
- Case study analysis of failures due to poor or absent SWMS
- Best practice reflections to avoid common pitfalls
16. Continuous Improvement & Quality Assurance
- Tracking SWMS performance and risk outcomes
- Integrating lessons learned from incidents, near-misses, and safety reports into future SWMS
- Quality assurance processes for SWMS documentation
- Embedding SWMS into organisational safety culture
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 4-5 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.