Method Statements
The Statement

The Statement

You may be asked to prepare a detailed method statement on how you intend to carry out a job or task including all the control measures (see Risk Assessment Guidelines) which will be applied. Health and safety method statements are not required by law, but they have proved to be an effective and practical management tool, especially for higher risk work.

The method statement should be based on your assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees and others who could be affected by the activity. The findings of risk assessments should both reflect the key hazards and be incorporated into the method statement.

A method statement is closely linked to risk assessments and plays a fundamental part of the occupational risk management process. It is the process for which information is passed to those who will be doing the work (i.e. employees).

To begin writing a method statement, record whatever work task you intend to carry out, then how you are to get the job done. You must review the risk assessments to identify specific hazards identified with the task but also consider the additional hazards of the environment or location in which the task will be carried out.

With the knowledge that you have gained, based on your experience of hazards, risks and the work itself, you should know how to avoid problems, accidents and ill health. This will enable you to get the job done safely and efficiently, knowing what you can and can't do.

If you do the same sort of task often, this will be quite easy, but if the job is more complicated or new to you, it will require more thought. Additional advice can be sort from BBC Safety.

Method Statements The Statement

Method Statements
The Statement