Keep SWMS tied to the work.
Prepare the SWMS against the site’s in-effect WHS plan, record consultation, review the controls, assign the approved version and keep acknowledgements and changes tied to that version.
Work activities
- Hazard
- People and vehicles crossing paths
- Example controls
- Keep the marked pedestrian route clear. Use the designated delivery area and follow the site traffic arrangements.
- Responsible role
- Site manager
Illustrative wording only. Consultation, review and acknowledgements stay connected to the assigned version.
Keep preparation and acknowledgements together.
Prepare against the plan
Build the site-specific SWMS against the WHS management plan currently in effect.
Record consultation and controls
Record the consultation entries, risks and controls that form part of the prepared version.
Review and assign
Review the controls, record the decision and assign the approved version to the relevant people.
Keep the version history
Keep worker acknowledgements and later change records tied to the version involved.
A signed step still needs human judgement.
Acknowledgement is not statutory approval or authority to start work. Permits and current site conditions still require operational decisions.
- Consultation entries are recorded by a manager and are not independent participant confirmation.
- Acknowledgement does not verify understanding or prove that a control was implemented.