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Construction Method Statement Guide

Method statements in construction are essential for managing health and safety risks identified in risk assessments, ensuring that necessary precautions are communicated to workers. While not mandatory under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, they are recommended by the Health and Safety Executive as an effective risk management tool. Method statements should be clear, concise, and prepared by competent individuals, detailing the organization, responsibilities, procedures, and safety measures for specific activities.

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69 views2 pages

Construction Method Statement Guide

Method statements in construction are essential for managing health and safety risks identified in risk assessments, ensuring that necessary precautions are communicated to workers. While not mandatory under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, they are recommended by the Health and Safety Executive as an effective risk management tool. Method statements should be clear, concise, and prepared by competent individuals, detailing the organization, responsibilities, procedures, and safety measures for specific activities.

Uploaded by

lsatchithananthan
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© All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Method statement for construction

Method statements are widely used in construction as a means of controlling specific health and
safety risks that have been identified (perhaps following the preparation of a risk assessment), such
as lifting operations, demolition or dismantling, working at height, installing equipment, the use
of plant, and so on.

A method statement helps manage the work and ensures that the necessary precautions have been
communicated to those involved.

The process of preparing a written method statement provides evidence that:

 Significant health and safety risks have been identified.


 The co-operation of workers has been ensured.
 Safe, co-ordinated systems of work have been put in place.
 Workers have been involved in the process.

Method statements are not a requirement of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations,
however they are identified by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as being one way of satisfying
the requirements of the regulations and as an effective means of assessing risks, managing risks,
collecting workers’ views and briefing workers.

The fact that method statements are not a requirement of the CDM Regulations is evidence of
the HSE's intention that implementation of the requirements of the CDM Regulations should not be
a paper exercise, where the filling out of a standard template is sufficient, but that it should be an
integral and fundamental part of the construction process.

The format in which method statements are prepared, reviewed and used should be set out at the
outset of a project, perhaps within the Project Execution Plan (PEP), ensuring not only that the
method statement is produced by a competent person, but that it is peer-reviewed as part of
the quality assurance (QA) system prior to its use.

Where they are prepared, method statements need be no longer than is necessary for them to be
effective. They are for the benefit of those carrying out the work and so should be clear, not over-
complicated, and illustrated where necessary.

Method statements should be written by a competent person who is familiar with the process being
described and may need to be agreed between the client, principal contractor and contractor.
The HSE suggests that those preparing method statements should consider:

 Is there a safer way of doing this task?


 Will workers actually implement the controls as planned?
 Do controls make the job difficult or inconvenient?
 Are there small changes that will improve the intended method?
 How will controls work in adverse conditions?
 Will workers require additional briefing or instructions?

The contents of a method statement will vary with the work process being described, however, it may
contain:

 Details of the organisation in control of the activity.


 Details of the individual responsible for the activity.
 A description of the activity.
 A description of how the work will be managed.
 The location of the activity, its boundaries, means of access and how it is segregated from
other activities.
 Plant and equipment required.
 The procedure for changing the proposed method of work if necessary.
 A step by step description of the activities to be undertaken.
 Precautions necessary to protect workers, and other people that could be affected,
including personal protective equipment and ventilation requirements.
 Training procedures.
 The need for specially-trained operators for certain activities.
 Emergency procedures, including the location of emergency equipment.
 The handling and storage of materials and pollution prevention procedures.
 Temporary works designs.
 The method for safeguarding existing structures.

For more information, see How to write a method statement.

Together, risk assessments and method statements are sometimes described as 'RAMS'. RAMS may


be required by third parties to demonstrate that health and safety has been properly considered and
that the requirements of the CDM regulations have been satisfied.

For example, a contractor may require submission of RAMS from sub-contractors, a landlord may


require submission of RAMS from tenants proposing to carry out works to a property, or a client may
require submission of RAMS from contractors operating on their premises.

NB: George Forster in his book 'Construction Site Studies' details method statements used


for management purposes showing personnel needed, time, and work output among other factors.

Common questions

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Including method statements in a PEP ensures that the safety and procedural measures are planned from the outset, providing a structured approach to identify significant risks and implement coordinated work systems. This integration contributes to a consistent quality management approach, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned on safety protocols and procedural expectations, thus enhancing project efficiency and safety .

Risk assessments are crucial for identifying potential hazards, and when combined with method statements into 'RAMS' (Risk Assessments and Method Statements), they provide a comprehensive framework for demonstrating that health and safety has been properly addressed per CDM regulations. RAMS ensure all parties are aware of risks and the measures to mitigate them, satisfying various stakeholders’ requirements, such as contractors or landlords, demonstrating that safety considerations have been comprehensively addressed .

Method statements include procedures for revising proposed work methods when necessary. This adaptability is critical because it allows for the response to unforeseen circumstances or safety issues that arise during construction. By having predefined procedures for changes, projects can maintain safety and efficiency standards, minimizing the impact of unexpected developments .

A method statement typically includes details about the organization in control of the activity, the individual responsible, the activity description, management of work, activity location and access, required plant and equipment, contingency procedures, a step-by-step activity description, worker precautions, training procedures, emergency procedures, material handling, temporary works designs, and safeguarding methods .

Failing to prepare an effective method statement can lead to unmanaged health and safety risks, worker confusion, and lack of coordinated efforts in executing safety measures. This oversight can increase the likelihood of accidents, reduce project efficiency, and potentially result in regulatory breaches. The absence of detailed procedures and safety measures can undermine the project's quality assurance, increase liabilities, and damage stakeholder trust .

When preparing method statements, the HSE suggests considering: finding safer methods for tasks, verifying if workers will follow controls as planned, assessing if controls inconvenience the job, implementing small improvements to methods, evaluating how controls work under adverse conditions, and determining if additional worker instructions are necessary. These considerations aim to enhance safety and efficiency in construction work .

Method statements are considered effective because they demonstrate that significant health and safety risks have been identified and managed through co-operation and communication among workers. They help ensure safe and coordinated systems of work and are seen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a way to satisfy CDM regulations requirements. The HSE's perspective that method statements should not merely be paper exercises but integral components of the construction process underscores their value in risk management and worker safety .

Method statements address the requirement for specially-trained operators by identifying activities that necessitate specific skills and detailing the necessary training procedures. This ensures that qualified personnel carry out high-risk tasks, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall project safety .

The preparation of method statements contributes to the quality assurance system by ensuring the method statement is produced by a competent person and peer-reviewed before use. This process, ideally defined in the Project Execution Plan (PEP), ensures that method statements are effective, clear, and concise for those carrying out the work. This involvement in QA ensures higher adherence to procedures and safety regulations .

A method statement involves workers by requiring their input in identifying and addressing safety risks. This inclusion ensures that workers are aware of the necessary precautions and understand their role in implementing safety measures. By involving workers in the creation and review of the method statement, their cooperation is secured, promoting adherence to safety protocols and effective communication of risks .

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