{"id":862,"date":"2023-11-09T08:24:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T08:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hazardco.com\/au\/?p=862"},"modified":"2024-04-09T23:32:06","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T23:32:06","slug":"why-your-swms-doesnt-need-a-risk-matrix-and-other-swms-myths-busted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hazardco.com\/au\/blog\/why-your-swms-doesnt-need-a-risk-matrix-and-other-swms-myths-busted\/","title":{"rendered":"Why your SWMS doesn\u2019t need a risk matrix, and other SWMS myths busted"},"content":{"rendered":"

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are an important tool to use within the Construction Industry for High Risk Construction Work (HRCW). We\u2019ve listed the common myths we hear across the industry to help you get a better understanding of what really matters when it comes to using a SWMS, and how you can make sure your SWMS is going to help keep you and your workers safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Myth<\/b> \u2013 You need to include all the relevant Health and Safety Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice\/Compliance Codes on the SWMS<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact <\/b>\u2013 It isn\u2019t a legal requirement to include all the relevant Health and Safety Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice\/Compliance Codes on the SWMS. Some companies, particularly larger ones, might ask their contractors to include this information.\u00a0 You might want to consider using a <\/span>SWMS template.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Myth<\/b> \u2013 A SWMS has to be on paper\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact <\/b>– The SWMS should be kept at the workplace where the work is being carried out. It can be in electronic format (<\/span>such as a SWMS App<\/b><\/a>) or in a paper format as long as it is readily available to workers involved in the work,\u00a0 and for the entire time they are doing the work.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Myth<\/b> \u2013 You need to include a Risk Matrix and score the hazards and controls on the SWMS<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact<\/b> \u2013 It isn\u2019t a legal requirement to include a Risk Matrix or score the hazards and controls on the SWMS, however some companies (particularly big ones) might ask their contractors to do this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Myth<\/b> \u2013 A SWMS doesn\u2019t need to be kept after the HRCW has finished<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact <\/b>\u2013 In most cases, a SWMS doesn’t need to be kept after the HRCW has finished, however if you have a notifiable incident it’s likely you will need to keep a copy of the SWMS for two years after the incident date. Notifiable incidents are incidents where there is a serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident and there are certain criteria which can help to identify these types of incidents. If you have a notifiable incident we recommend you check with your Regulator (e.g. WorkSafe, Safe Work) about your requirements or HazardCo members can<\/span> reach out to our Health and Safety Advisory team for incident support and advice.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Myth<\/b> \u2013 Once a SWMS is developed, you don\u2019t need to review or change it\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact <\/b>– Not true!\u00a0 If the control measures don\u2019t adequately control the risk, it needs to be reviewed and changed. This might happen when:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n