Construction is a complicated process, and it still surprises newcomers to the industry of how much paperwork there really is to do. Of course, it’s mandatory. To civil engineering in Denbighshire, Wales, and indeed the entirety of the UK at large, there are a number of systems in place to provide safety on site, with the build, and also to the surrounding environment. A method statement is one of them.
Widely used in construction as a means of identifying specific health and safety risks which have been identified (usually as result of a risk assessment) Method statements can cover a wide variety of areas. Such may include lifting operations, demolition, dismantling, working at height, installing equipment, and the use of plant machinery. Interestingly, the recent use of drones within construction sites is all subject to Method statement. Essentially, if any aspect of the construction process means that a risk is discovered to workers upon your site (even contractors and subcontractors) a Method statement is a means of controlling said risk and ensuring the health and safety of every worker on your site, as well as the general public at large.
Most firms use Method statements routinely. The aim of one is to provide evidence that significant health and safety risks have indeed been identified, that workers working around this risk have been informed and their cooperation has been ensured, that safe, coordinated systems to work have been put into place for the protection of the workers and visitors to your site. A good Method statement also shows indication of your staff have been consulted, informed and most importantly have been involved in the process.
A Method statement doesn’t have to be a gigantic piece of writing. Mostly, the Method statement is an effective means of identifying whether or not there is a safer way of doing this task than the systems set into place, confirmation to staff that they will implement controls as planned, establishing whether or not said controls make a process more difficult or inconvenient, identifying (and seeking opinion on) small changes to improve the intended method, establishing how controls will work in adverse conditions, and of course identifying whether or not workers will need additional briefing or instructions.
Essentially, Method statements are a way of controlling activities on a site, and a very viable way of constantly improving. No job is the same after all, and many of us at a consultation stage, value input for the fact that alternative, better ways of doing something can be easily established within a Method statement where they normally wouldn’t present themselves – and thus provide ways of reducing wasted time, movement, and cost. Most importantly of course keeping workers safe – something which is paramount.
