Safe Working Procedures are written instructions for tasks that outline the preferred and safest method of undertaking a task. They are an administrative risk control measure for the task which also includes a risk assessment. The risk assessment will include the potential hazards associated with the task, the risk posed by such hazards and the risk controls necessary to eliminate those hazards or reduce those risks to as low as reasonably practicable.

 

Safe Working Procedures (SWPs) must be developed for all techniques, processes, equipment and machinery where there is risk to health.

 

Please use the Guide to Writing Safe Working Procedures when developing SWPs for your own workareas. Safe Working Procedures should include:

Supervisors must ensure that SWPs are displayed with all equipment for which they are responsible. Where training is required for users of a piece of equipment, a notice to this effect and a list of those who have been trained must be displayed nearby. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that this is done.