Overview
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are critical documents in workplace safety, particularly for high-risk construction work in Australia. This help article addresses common questions about modifying SWMS that have already been signed and provides guidance on best practices.
Legal Framework
The Work Health and Safety legislation does not contain explicit, detailed requirements specifically about editing signed SWMS. However, the requirements fall under broader obligations in the WHS Act and Regulations regarding:
- Risk management
- Worker consultation and participation
- Documentation of safety procedures
- Record keeping
When Can a SWMS Be Modified?
A SWMS is considered a "living document" that should be:
- Regularly reviewed
- Updated when circumstances change
- Revised based on feedback and lessons learned
Best Practices for Modifying Signed SWMS
When making changes to a SWMS that has already been signed:
For Minor Changes (non-significant):
- Document the change clearly
- Note the date and person making the change
- Communicate changes to relevant workers
- Maintain version control
For Significant Changes:
- Document all changes clearly
- Have the revised SWMS reviewed by relevant stakeholders
- Ensure workers are consulted about the changes
- Have relevant workers re-sign or acknowledge the updated document
- Maintain records of both previous and current versions
- Provide training or briefing on significant changes
What Constitutes a "Significant Change"?
While not explicitly defined in legislation, industry practice generally considers these changes significant:
- Work Scope Changes: Modifications to the high-risk construction work being performed
- New Hazards: Introduction of hazards or risks not previously identified
- Control Measures: Substantial changes to hazard control methods
- Work Environment: Changes to the location or conditions where work is performed
- Equipment/Materials: Introduction of new equipment, tools, materials, or substances
- Personnel Changes: Significant changes to roles, responsibilities, or personnel qualifications
- Incident Response: Adjustments following a safety incident, near miss, or identified deficiency
- Regulatory Updates: Changes required due to new legislation or codes of practice
How does Worx Safety manage changes?
Rather then have users try to decide what is a significant or minor change, the Worx Safety platform requires all SWMS to be re-signed any time an edit is made. We understand this might be onerous if you are just making a typo correction, but we feel it protects against a scenario where a significant change is made and a worker is not notified and therefore put at risk.
Record Keeping
Maintain clear documentation of:
- All versions of the SWMS
- Dates of changes
- Nature of changes made
- Who approved the changes
- Evidence of worker consultation and acknowledgment
Worx Safety takes care of this record keeping for you.
Seeking Further Guidance
For definitive guidance on your specific situation:
- Consult directly with SafeWork
- Refer to industry codes of practice
- Consider establishing an internal policy that clearly defines the process for SWMS modifications
- Consult with a workplace health and safety legal specialist for complex situations
Conclusion
While the WHS legislation doesn't provide explicit requirements for editing signed SWMS, following these best practices helps ensure compliance with broader safety obligations and maintains the integrity of your safety management system.