The term safe work procedure (SWP) originated in
Victoria, Australia
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a land area of , the second most populated state (after New South Wales) with a population of over 6.5 million, and the most densely populated state in Au ...
, and is predominantly used as a
risk management tool by industries throughout Australia, particularly in the
mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth, usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef, or placer deposit. The exploitation of these deposits for raw material is based on the economic via ...
sector. SWPs are also referred to using other terms, such as
standard operating procedure
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance, while reducing misc ...
(SOP). A safe work procedure is a step by step description of a process when deviation may cause a loss. This risk control document created by teams within the company describes the safest and most efficient way to perform a task. This document stays in the health & safety system for regular use as a template or guide when completing that particular task on site.
Requirements of safe work
The document generally lists the associated hazards involved in performing a task, what risk score is associated with the hazards (using a
risk matrix A risk matrix is a matrix that is used during risk assessment to define the level of risk by considering the category of probability or likelihood against the category of consequence severity. This is a simple mechanism to increase visibility of ri ...
), what personal protective equipment is required, and the steps involved to complete the activity without incident.
The document is split up to meet the above requirements as follows;
*
Hazard
A hazard is a potential source of harm
Harm is a moral and legal concept.
Bernard Gert construes harm as any of the following:
* pain
* death
* disability
* mortality
* loss of abil ity or freedom
* loss of pleasure.
Joel Feinberg giv ...
s
*
Inherent risk Inherent risk, in risk management, is an assessed level of raw or untreated risk; that is, the natural level of risk inherent in a process or activity without doing anything to reduce the likelihood or mitigate the severity of a mishap, or the amoun ...
*
Control measures
*
Residual risk The residual risk is the amount of risk or danger associated with an action or event remaining after natural or inherent risks have been reduced by risk controls.
The general formula to calculate residual risk is
: \text = (\text) - (\text)
wher ...
Each person involved in that task on site must ensure all sections of the SWP are followed.
Safe work procedures are also required for machinery and equipment that is used to perform commercial activities. The procedures are required to be enforced within the workplace and improved as conditions or equipment changes.
See also
*
Work method statement
A work method statement, sometimes referred to as a safe work method statement or SWMS or a safe work procedure, is a part of a workplace safety plan. It is primarily used in construction to describe a document that gives specific instructions on ...
External links
Worksafe Western AustraliaWorksafe VictoriaSafety Culture - Safe Work Procedures
Occupational safety and health
Operating procedures