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Method Statement

Also known as: Safe Work Method Statement, SWMS, Safe System of Work

A document that describes, in logical sequence, exactly how a specific higher-risk task will be carried out safely, using control measures drawn from the risk assessment.

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A method statement is a safety document that describes, in a logical step-by-step sequence, exactly how a specific task will be carried out safely and without risks to health. [1] [3] It draws together the hazards identified in the risk assessment and the measures needed to control them, so it is the practical manifestation of a safe system of work for one job. [1] [3] A typical method statement names the organisation in control of the work, sets out a step-by-step description of the activities, lists the tools and equipment, states the precautions needed to protect workers and others affected, and covers emergency procedures. [2] [3] In UK construction, HSE notes method statements are legally required to record the arrangements for demolition, dismantling or structural alteration before work begins, but for most other activities they are not required by law and are simply a proven, practical way to plan, manage and monitor higher-risk work. [1] In Australia the equivalent document is the Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), which a PCBU must prepare before any high risk construction work begins, in consultation with the workers doing the work. [4] A method statement is paired with a risk assessment, and the two together are often called RAMS; this entry focuses on the method statement document itself rather than the bundle.

Key characteristics

  • Describes a specific task in a logical, step-by-step sequence rather than a whole process or generic role. [1] [3]
  • Carries the control measures from the risk assessment into a usable safe system of work. [1] [3]
  • Usually written for higher-risk, complex or unusual work rather than routine tasks. [1]
  • Typically names the organisation in control, the activity steps, the precautions, and emergency procedures. [2] [3]
  • In Australia the SWMS must be prepared before high risk construction work and kept available for inspection, with all revised versions retained. [4]

Example

A method statement for working at height

A contractor is installing rooftop ductwork, which means working at height near a fragile roof edge. The risk assessment has already identified the hazards (falls, falling tools, weather) and the controls (edge protection, harnesses, exclusion zone). The method statement turns those controls into a sequence: who is in charge, how the access scaffold is erected and checked, the order in which sections are lifted and fixed, the precautions for anyone below, and what to do in an emergency. [2] [3] Because this is higher-risk work, the document is not legally mandatory in the way a demolition record is, but HSE treats it as a proven way to plan and monitor the job. [1] In Australia the same task would be captured in a Safe Work Method Statement prepared before the work starts and kept on site for inspection. [4]

Comparison

Method statement vs work instruction

Aspect Method statement Work instruction / SOP
Primary goal Carry out a task safely, controlling identified risks Carry out a task correctly and consistently
Driven by A risk assessment of a specific job Quality, consistency or compliance needs
Typical home Construction and higher-risk site work Manufacturing, operations, service delivery
Who writes it Contractor / PCBU with the workers doing the work Supervisor, process owner or quality team
Emergency content Usually includes emergency procedures Often omitted unless safety-critical

How SOPX handles this

A method statement only protects anyone if the people on site are actually reading the current version, not a printout from three jobs ago. SOPX turns a walkthrough into a structured, step-by-step document fast: a supervisor records or imports a PDF or video of the method and the AI structures it into clear steps with a clip or annotated image per step, usually in under ten minutes. For crews working across languages, SOPX translates into 50+ languages with side-by-side review so the same method reads correctly for everyone on the team. Each method statement gets a versioned history with an owner and a last-updated date, and a QR code can be posted at the work area so the crew always reaches the latest version on their phone. In Run mode, workers step through the method and sign off each step, which gives you a record that the safe method was followed. SOPX is well suited to construction and field teams who need the documented method to actually reach the point of work.

Related use case: Health & Safety →

Frequently asked questions

What is a method statement?
A method statement is a document that describes, in logical sequence, exactly how a specific task will be carried out safely. [1] [3] It takes the controls identified in the risk assessment and turns them into a step-by-step safe system of work, usually naming the organisation in control, the activity steps, the precautions, and emergency procedures. [2] [3] It is most often used for higher-risk construction work.
What is the difference between a method statement and a risk assessment?
A risk assessment identifies and assesses the hazards in a task and decides the control measures. A method statement expands on those controls, describing how, when and why they are implemented as a step-by-step method of work. [3] The risk assessment usually comes first; the method statement is built from its conclusions. [1] Together they are often called RAMS.
Are method statements a legal requirement?
It depends on the work and the country. In UK construction, HSE notes that the arrangements for demolition, dismantling or structural alteration must be recorded in writing before work begins, usually via a method statement; for most other activities they are not required by law but are a proven, practical way to plan and monitor the work. [1] In Australia, a Safe Work Method Statement is mandatory before any high risk construction work begins. [4]
What is a SWMS and how does it relate to a method statement?
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is the Australian equivalent of a method statement, used for high risk construction work. A PCBU must have it prepared before the work commences, in consultation with the workers doing the job, and it must identify the high risk work, the hazards and the control measures. [4] All revised versions should be kept and the document must be available for inspection.
Who should write a method statement?
The party in control of the work, working with the people who will actually do it. In Australia the PCBU prepares the SWMS in consultation with the workers directly engaged in the high risk construction work, because they understand the task and can make sure the method is implemented and reviewed correctly. [4] A method statement written without input from the crew tends to sit unread.

Sources

Statements above draw on the references below. Numbers in the text link to the matching entry.

  1. [1]
    Construction: Administration (method statements)
    Health and Safety Executive (HSE) · Accessed 2026-06-21
  2. [2]
    Method statement for construction
    Designing Buildings Wiki · Accessed 2026-06-21
  3. [3]
    What Is A Method Statement? A Guide (with examples)
    CHAS · Accessed 2026-06-21
  4. [4]
    Prepare a safe work method statement
    SafeWork NSW · Accessed 2026-06-21

Related terms

Tags

safety construction documentation compliance risk

Last reviewed: 2026-06-21

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