SWMS/SSOW Procedure - IS-3172-PR - Revision 18 - Procedure

Sep 12, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Provide guidance and define requirements for completing, reviewing, and evaluating compliance of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Safe Systems of Work (SSOW). The procedure sets the scope for high risk construction work, including when separate SWMS reviews are required, expectations for subcontractors and service providers, and conditions where SSOW plus pre-start meetings can be accepted. It outlines responsibilities and the development, maintaining currency, and review/monitoring steps across SHAPE worksites.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

1 Purpose

2 Scope

3 Definitions

4 Responsibilities

5 SWMS/SSOW Development

5.1 Purpose of a SWMS/SSOW

5.2 Requirement to Develop a SWMS

5.3 Preparation of a SWMS/SSOW

5.3.1 Developing a SWMS/SSOW

5.3.2 Content of a SWMS

5.4 Maintaining Currency of a SWMS

6 SWMS/SSOW Review

6.1 Submission of a SWMS/SSOW

6.2 Monitoring Compliance to a SWMS/SSOW

6.2.1 SHAPE

6.2.2 Subcontractors and Service Providers

Appendix 1: SWMS Content Guide

Appendix 2: Safety Plan Content Guide

Appendix 3: Risk Assessment Content Guide

Appendix 4: Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) Content Guide

Appendix 5: Methodology Content Guide

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) / Safe System of Work (SSOW) Procedure Document No.: IS-3172-PR Revision No.: 18 Revision Date: 07/05/2019 Document Owner: Group Executive-EHSQ Table of Contents 1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 2 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 3 Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 3 4 Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................ 3 5 SW MS/SSOW Development ....................................................................................................................... 5 5.1 Purpose of a SW MS/SSOW ................................................................................................................ 5 5.2 Requirement to Develop a SW MS....................................................................................................... 5 5.3 Preparation of a SW MS/SSOW ........................................................................................................... 7 5.3.1 Developing a SW MS/SSOW........................................................................................................ 7 5.3.2 Content of a SW MS ..................................................................................................................... 8 5.4 Maintaining Currency of a SW MS ....................................................................................................... 8 6 SW MS/SSOW Review ................................................................................................................................. 9 6.1 Submission of a SW MS/SSOW ........................................................................................................... 9 6.2 Monitoring Compliance to a SW MS/SSOW ....................................................................................... 10 6.2.1 SHAPE ....................................................................................................................................... 10 6.2.2 Subcontractors and Service Providers ...................................................................................... 10 Appendix 1: SW MS Content Guide ............................................................................................................... 11 Appendix 2: Safety Plan Content Guide ........................................................................................................ 13 Appendix 3: Risk Assessment Content Guide ............................................................................................... 15 Appendix 4: Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) Content Guide ..................................................................... 16 Appendix 5: Methodology Content Guide ...................................................................................................... 17 1 PURPOSE Provide guidance and outline the requirements for the completion, review and evaluation of compliance of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) or Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) . 2 SCOPE Health and safety regulations specifically refer to ‘ High Risk Construction Work’ (HRCW) in relation to the requirement to prepare a SWMS. In line with this requirement, SHAPE mandates that subcontractors must provide a SWMS for each work activity conducted on a SHAPE worksite if that work is defined as ‘High Risk Construction Work’ by law or a SHAPE documented risk assessment. All HRCW SWMS must have a separate SWMS Review documented prior to work commencing. This assists SHAP

FAQs

What is the purpose of the SWMS/SSOW procedure?

It provides guidance and outlines requirements for completing, reviewing, and evaluating compliance of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) or Safe Systems of Work (SSOW).

When is a SWMS required under the scope of high risk construction work?

Health and safety regulations require SWMS preparation for “High Risk Construction Work” (HRCW). For HRCW activities, subcontractors must provide a SWMS for each work activity on a SHAPE worksite, supported by a SHAPE risk assessment or legal definition.

Are SSOWs acceptable instead of a SWMS in some cases?

Yes, a documented SSOW combined with a completed pre-start meeting including a risk assessment for each day/shift can be acceptable if no part of the work is defined as HRCW by law or by a SHAPE documented risk assessment, and the work instruction is reviewed using the SHAPE SSOW review.

Sep 12, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana