What is a Method Statement? [Tips, Templates & Examples]

A worker wearing a white helmet and blue shirt is standing with a Method Statement document.

clendar February 27, 2023

clendar 15 minutes

3769 Viewers

Method statement is a vital in promoting safe working conditions on construction sites. In addition, method statement detail the preventative measures taken in a high-risk workplace to mitigate the hazards indicated by a risk assessment. Also, they specify what gear workers and visitors on the site will need to stay safe from harm while they do the work. For instance, the gear may include PPE, health and safety contacts, or monitoring and regulating devices.

What is a Method Statement?

For any given task, a method statement provides a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the procedures to complete the task successfully. In addition, it details the actions, tools, and time needed to complete a job without endangering anyone’s health.

When Should I Use a Method Statement?

After conducting a risk assessment, you should draught your method statement. Before beginning work, double-check that your method statement document is comprehensive. A rigorous method statement includes

the team’s PPEs,
a thorough outline of the processes,
emergency plans,
and the names and numbers of relevant health and safety personnel.

As unplanned incidents are always possible, it’s best to have your protective equipment ready at the outset of any given job. Therefore, you must revise the safety procedure statement whenever you work in a different place or with different tools. In addition, you should review method statements to ensure that all health and safety safeguards are still appropriate. It’s important in the event of a change in the circumstances impacting the health and safety of projects.

Method Statement for a Risk-Free Workplace

A method statement can improve clarity and make the workplace safer if written correctly. In addition, it ensures you’re in the clear with the law. Everyone benefits from this arrangement. However, this comprehensive method declaration is time-consuming to write. You can only assume that the reader will grasp some of what you write.

The challenge is to put together an explicit method description that describes the steps involved in the process. Moreover, a method statement also contains preventative actions. To provide a risk-free workplace, incorporate a method statement into your safe work system. It’s more than just a piece of paper that needs to be filed away. Before beginning an activity, arrange a toolbox talk or safety briefing to focus on the method statement.

What’s the Difference Between a Method Statement and a Risk Assessment?

Every undertaking must first undergo a legally mandated risk assessment. That’s because the Management of Health and Safety in the Workplace Regulations requires them explicitly. Applicable regulations do not mandate statements of methodology aid in legal compliance. It is only sometimes necessary to declare a method. While a method statement is typically for more high-risk, complicated, or out-of-the-ordinary tasks, risk assessments should encompass all activities.

Certain companies can get by without using method declarations. For example, you may never implement a method statement in low-risk workplaces. In addition, construction companies and other companies operating in high-risk industries frequently use method statements.

Method Statement Depends on the Risk Assessments

You may base a method statement on the results of the risk assessments that you’ve conducted initially. If an activity is particularly dangerous or complicated, a thorough risk assessment will reveal this fact.

You will include more information in the method statement when you require more information. For instance, there can be a specific order in which you must complete tasks at work for everyone’s safety. Then you must keep everyone’s attention on those tasks throughout the entire process.

When conducting a risk assessment, you can learn what safeguards are essential. A method statement will specify the sequence. Then you will implement these safeguard sequences to ensure everyone’s safety.

Why is a Method Statement Important?

A method statement is crucial because it describes how to apply preventative safety measures. In addition, it guides teams to avoid potential hazards. This strategy is critical to the construction industry while working with

toxic materials,
elevated platforms,
or other potentially life-threatening conditions.

So, method statements are a vital risk management tool to safeguard site visitors, construction employees, and project managers from injury.

Construction organisations also benefit from using method statements as a communication tool. As a bonus, it also lets managers demonstrate their processes and the quality of their work to project clients. That’s a huge help in securing future employment. Teams use Risk assessment and method statement (RAM) documents to gauge a construction firm’s readiness to carry out a project safely and efficiently. In addition, clients often request RAMs. Provide a detailed method statement outlining your approach. As a result, clients can rest easy knowing you’re doing everything you can to keep them safe.

How Can You Create a Method Statement

Here are some guidelines to follow as you craft your method statement:

First, Identify Potential Dangers by Doing a Risk Analysis.

Before writing your method statement, you must identify potential risks associated with your project’s tasks. A risk assessment is a valuable tool for accomplishing this. Therefore, note all possible sources of injury, illness, or danger to others on the premises. It would be best to reduce the level of risk. So, it’s essential to assess whether or not the current safeguards are doing that. Then, consider what further preventative steps may be necessary.

Detail Your Company and Position.

Include the necessary company and position details in the method statement’s headline. These details may include the following:

Name of the project
Details of your business (i.e., name, logo, and address)
Dates for beginning and finishing the project
Details of the project
All pertinent contact details
Any relevant document identifiers or modification dates

Identify Potential Dangers and Explain How to Mitigate Them.

Include a brief explanation of your precautions concerning

personal protective equipment,
environmental factors,
and quality controls at the outset of your method description.

In addition, list what people on the project team can do to ensure they do their work safely and avoid potential dangers.

Supplemental Information

Specify any additional steps, such as trash management, hazard elimination, or site cleanup. You may also write about the following:

Emergency procedures and first aid
Instruction and necessary protective gear
Licenses to work
Procedures for shutting down machines and displaying warning lights
Locations of entry to the site
Guidelines for the right way to handle materials
Material for scaffolding
The positioning of essential amenities like restrooms and trash cans

Create Detailed, Sequential, and Numbered Directions.

The team members want to accomplish their goals as the final component of your method statement. Specify the procedures that each construction crew member must follow. In addition, create a detailed plan outlining each step to complete the project successfully and securely. Meanwhile, make an effort to write effectively. So it’ll be understandable to a broad audience. Also, Professionals will quickly absorb the safety guidelines and procedures.

Modify Descriptions to Include Updated Facilities, Tools, and Policies.

If you make alterations to your project, you should examine your method statement. Employment opportunities in the construction industry are frequently unstable. Tasks may be similar from one project to the next. However, the risks, conditions, and site specifications may vary significantly. Therefore, account for the entire project by evaluating your method statement and making necessary changes.

You can alter your established norms by introducing new settings, teams, and equipment. For example, there can be a shift in who is responsible for what and how much cleanup it will require at certain project stages. It would be best if you reflected that in your method statement.

Why are Method Statements Used in Construction?

According to data compiled by the Health and Safety Executive, thirty construction workers faced a fatal fate in 2021/22. The construction industry’s injury rate is much higher than the average for all industries. Furthermore, construction workers are more likely to suffer serious injuries. Therefore, construction sites require more careful planning to handle the potential dangers. In addition, planning will keep the risks under control in high-risk situations.

Method Statement is a Valuable Tool in Construction

Once you conduct your risk assessment, you can write a task’s method statement. The method statement will map out functions in a logical sequence. In addition, it’ll include details on the controls and precautions derived from the risk assessments that you will need at each stage.

Any demolition, dismantling, or structural alterations must have prior written approval. You can use a risk assessment to create a method statement. Construction sites don’t just generate method statements for legally mandated construction operations. A method statement is also an efficient and valuable tool in planning, managing, and overseeing other site projects.

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Method Statement Helps Manage Different Tasks Simultaneously

Another reason method statements might be helpful is the wide variety of tasks involved in construction projects. For example, in a more significant construction job, you’ll move on from one project to the next project frequently. Starting a new project often necessitates moving to a new place and working with a new group of people in an unfamiliar environment. The site, the surrounding work, and the hazards will vary from project to project, even if you’re performing the same operation.

Also, jobs can vary significantly in terms of who you report to, where you conduct your work and the nature of your surroundings. You may modify your method statement to accommodate these shifts. However, always turn to it for the specifics relevant to your current endeavour.

A method statement is similar to a collection of directions. It’s an exhaustive outline of the tasks and the precautions you’ll take to complete them securely. In the construction industry, teams use method statements to help manage the planning and management of high-risk tasks.

How Do I Fill in a Method Statement?

Before you sit down to write a method statement, doing a risk assessment is a good idea.

Performing a Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is a thorough evaluation of the activity you’ll be engaging in. So, determine the risks associated with the job first. In addition, examine the preventative measures and decide whether they are sufficient to make the situation safe. Furthermore, seek out what steps are necessary to mitigate the damage if the project fails to reach the threshold.

The Header of the Method Statement

After the initial risk assessment, start at the top and write your method statement’s header. Include the following things.

Staff and client-facing details such as a standard operating procedure or title
Site address
Your company’s name, address, logo, and identifying details
Task start and end dates
A description of the work to be performed
The method statement author and health and safety contacts
Document specifics, i.e., revision date and number, issue date, and document number

Table A: Example of the header of a method statement.

Description of Potential Dangers

Describe the potential dangers and the preventative actions in the method statement’s second part. In addition, spell down in specifics the type of PPE that employees must wear. Finally, specify any processes you implemented due to environmental or quality concerns.

Inclusion of Specific Tasks

Complete the method statement by including specifics about the task at hand and the people who will be performing it. In addition, add the following things.

Any necessary permits
Lock-off and machinery shutdown procedures
Egress and site access
The proper handling of materials
Any scaffolding that teams will use.

Finalisation of the Method Statement

Finalise the document by outlining the sequential and detailed steps. Outlined steps should complete the assignment or work procedure.

Who is Responsible for Writing a Method Statement?

The on-site construction team will draught the method statement. However, the team manager will check quality and control assurance before submission.

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Method Statement Template

We’ve outlined the key components of a method statement below. However, remember that the specifics may vary depending on the context. So, feel free to exclude those that don’t apply to your work. For example, a method statement may contain the following items.

Purposes of the Project
What You’ll Need to Get Started Responsibilities
Order of operations
Checklist Requirements for Inspection & Testing
HSE Risk Assessment

The first page of the statement should focus on introducing the project and its brief. Then, let’s look at the second page, which will describe revision records below.

Table B: Example of the Revision Record of a Method Statement.

The introductory page should contain the contents of the full method statement. Here, you will put down the names of each section. For example, below is an example of the introductory page.

Table C: Example of the Introductory Page of a Method Statement.

Table D: Example of Purpose, Scope, Reference and Definitions of a Method Statement.

Table E: Example of Responsibility Holders in a Method Statement.

Table F: Example of Equipment and Procedures in a Method Statement.

Table G: Example of How to Write Attachments in a Method Statement.

FAQs

What is the difference between a method statement and a risk assessment?

A method statement details how a task will be carried out safely, including procedures and precautions. A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and assesses the risks involved. Essentially, the method statement focuses on the process, while the risk assessment addresses the potential dangers.

What is the difference between a method statement and a procedure?

A method statement details how to complete a task safely and efficiently, focusing on specific activities. A procedure outlines a series of steps to follow for routine operations or processes.

what are the legal requirements of a method statement?

A method statement must meet legal requirements by clearly outlining safety procedures, risk assessments, and work instructions. It should comply with health and safety regulations, ensuring that all potential hazards are addressed and mitigated.

What is the difference between method statement and methodology?

A method statement details how a specific task will be carried out, including the procedures and safety measures. Methodology, on the other hand, refers to the overall approach or system of methods used in a project or research.

Summary

A method statement is a written description of a project’s steps. It includes how teams should carry out a project and any special safety measures. Therefore, it’d be best to use method statements to define the steps necessary to execute a specific part of a project safely and promptly. In addition, you must employ a method statement in high-risk projects that necessitate meticulous management and planning. As a result, managers, workers, and clients can use them to guarantee that projects will receive the time, money, and safeguards they require.

Also, it’s easier to mitigate safety precautions and potential hazards on the job using method statements. Additionally, a method statement outlines how to carry out safety precautions. Protecting site visitors, construction employees, and project managers from injury is a top priority. Therefore, it makes method statements a crucial tool in risk management.