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Health and Safety Safe Systems of Work
Saint James Weight Management Institute
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In this edition we continue to look at Safe Systems of Work (SsoW), which require five (5) main elements obvious but the absolute majority of accidents result from failed controls. The SWMSRA must list all safety measures and controls on the basis of Stage 3. The persons responsible for the Safe Systems of Work must then implement these controls, throughout the planned works, based on Stage 1.
1. Stage 1 - Planned Work – Safe work must be planned. Turning up for work and just getting straight into the job is not good enough. Construction work can be complex, involves hazards that create high risk and accidents are unforgiving. Works need to be planned ahead, coordinated between all parties in a method that ensures safety of workers during execution. Stage 1 involves a detailed Method Statement drawn up by competent persons and validated by experts with experience of executing work safely.
5. Stage 5 - Risk and Emergency Management. Construction work involves risk of incidents and accidents. The SSoW shall also include measures to be taken in case of emergencies occurring during the works process.
This is a high level overview of a SSoW. In future editions we will look at each Stage in more detail.
2. Stage 2 - Responsibilities: This involves formally assigning all responsibilities for the works, including:
• Competent persons taking responsibility for the Safe Systems of Work
• Competent supervisors and their deputies in case of their being away from the works
• Technically competent workers
• Other Workers executing the works
3. Stage 3 - Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments: A comprehensive HAZID and RA process is conducted in direct relation to the Method Statement. Hazards, dangerous work and risk resulting directly from the planned works are identified and thoroughly evaluated in order to determine risk levels and the essential controls. This is both a legal requirement and an indispensable element of safe work.
4. Stage 4 - Safety measures and controls. Work cannot proceed unless in safe conditions. This sounds
