Safe systems of work, or having a go!

You may have heard of the term “Safe Systems of Work”. It’s basically a formal procedure that sets out how to work safely in relation to identified hazards.

It helps to organize your people, materials and equipment. It defines safe methods for completing a specific task. (Working to such is not only good HS practice, it can save you time and money, because the task is carried out efficiently. The worker knows exactly how to proceed, as opposed to simply having a go!)

Here’s the basic steps:

1.      Analyze the task: for larger, more complicated tasks it can help if you break down the task into steps, analyzing the hazards and assessing the risks at each step.

 2.      Introduce controls and formulate procedures: you work out sensible measures to control the identified hazards, with emphasis on writing procedures that describe how the job can be done safely.

3.      Instruct and train people in the procedures: you provide adequate training and instruction in the procedures that you develop in Step 2 to everyone who is required to complete the task.

4.      Check the work and procedures: you periodically check to make sure that your procedures are still fit for purpose (and revise these procedures if required).

Here’s to another safe working month!