What is a Safe Work Procedure?

A Safe Work Procedure is a written guide that details how to safely carry out a task or activity that has some risk to one's health and safety. A SWP or safe work method statement are some other names for a safe operating procedure.

When do you need a Safe Work Procedure?

SWP may need to be developed as a risk control measure:

• Whenever necessary, as determined by the findings of a risk assessment conducted in accordance with statutory obligations to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety.

• When introducing new work practices.

• When introducing new equipment / technology; or

• Following on from a workplace inspection, either internal or external (i.e., regulatory inspection).

Note: The given list is not complete and should only be used as a general guide. 

What are examples of safe work procedures?

A safe operating procedure should include:

• The task or procedure to be carried out.

• Specifics of any applicable legal requirements that have been taken into account in the safe operating procedure, such as those for high-risk activities, forklift operations, confined space entry, hot work, etc.

• Definitions for any technical or specialized terminology.

• Detailed information on the task's potential risks and associated hazards.

• The precautions needed before beginning the task to remove or effectively control the risk, such as isolation protocols, making sure guarding is in place, communication protocols, etc.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be worn while performing the task (this includes personal protective equipment required by the site);

• The environment in which the task will or should be carried out; Clear and simple instructions for undertaking the task in a safe manner.

• Proper environmental, cleanup, and waste disposal practices; for this, safety data sheets (SDSs) may be necessary.

• Emergency procedures; and

• Shutdown and housekeeping

How to prepare a safe work procedure?

The SWP should be written in plain English and organized in a clear, logical, step-by-step fashion that is simple to comprehend. Using images or diagrams can help in this process. To help with providing correct information, a reference to the user manuals or information provided by the manufacturer or provider may be necessary.

The task's participants, including any elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), should be involved in the writing and development of the SWP.

1. Sequence of job steps

To execute the work task and/or operate the item of plant or equipment, break the operation down into its simple steps. What is done initially, what is done next, and so forth are a few examples.

Make sure to describe what is done, not how it is done, and to record each step of the task in the typical sequence. The task description should be broken down into around ten major steps as a general rule. Of course, this can change depending on how difficult and dangerous the task is.

2. Potential hazards / risks

For each step in the work task, list the potential hazards / risks that are reasonably foreseeable.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Being struck by or contacted by anything.

• Striking against or contacting anything.

• Being caught in, on, under or between anything.

• Falling from height or being exposed to falling objects.

• Hazardous manual tasks.

• Being exposed to welding rays, fumes, light, electricity, or other forms of energy.

• Being exposed to stored energy; or

• Being exposed to hazardous chemicals.

3. Recommendations for control measures

List the best risk control measure that will eliminate or significantly reduce the risk to the person(s) executing the work activity for each step of the task. List the actions necessary to complete the task, together with what the operator(s) should or should not do to manage the level of risk, for each potential hazard or risk.

Clearly spell out each step's safe operating procedure and necessary safety measures. Include any relevant data or references. Other Safe Work Procedures may be cited in a safe operating procedure.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

List the many kinds of personal protective equipment that must be worn while doing the work.

Note: Standard Personal Protective Equipment that is required on the site is also included.

5. Perform the task

Test the written procedure by carrying out the task in accordance with the documented Safe Work Procedure, completing the following checks:

• Inspect the task again.

• Check the upstream and downstream tasks that may have an impact.

• Seek improvement to the work method.

• Consider all hazards at each step.

• Ensure understanding in the work group or an individual worker of the hazards associated with each step of the procedure; and

• Reassess and modify the Safe Work Procedure, as required.

Note: A revised version of the safe work procedure must be recorded after each change.

6. Training

All individuals who will be required to carry out the task or process for which the safe operating procedure was designed must receive training and instruction in it. A verification of competency (VOC) may be required for operating operations including loaders, crushers, dump trucks, cutting saws, etc.

A record of the completed training must be maintained and kept.

7. Review of Safe Work Procedure 

Depending on the amount of risk, the Safe Work Procedure should be evaluated on a regular basis, such as every two years, to make sure it is still relevant and useful. In the following scenarios, reviews of safe work procedures will be necessary earlier than two years:

• An incident occurs that relates to the Safe Work Procedure.

• There has been a change to a process.

• New plant or equipment is introduced.

• New chemicals or substances are introduced.

A safe work procedure should be immediately withdrawn and archived if it specifies a task or procedure that is no longer necessary to follow.

For more on what the LAW says on safe work procedures plese click here.