What Information Should A Method Statement Include?

A method statement is a safe system of work and acts like an instruction manual for a high-risk task or activity. But while the instructions for each task will be unique, the same type of information needs to be included in every method statement you write.

But what information is found in a method statement? Hazards? Risks? Control measures?

Yes, but you will also find this information in a risk assessment, and your method statement shouldn't be a repeat of that.

Method statements are different from risk assessments. They go into more detail and are required in addition to a risk assessment where the risks outlined in the risk assessment require complex or lengthy control measures to make the work safe.

Your method statement shouldn't just repeat the information included in the risk assessment. It should expand on the information. It should respond to the risks identified and explain what needs doing (and in what order) to complete the activity safely.

So what information should a method statement include?

• Business name
• Project
• Activity
• Description of the work
• Dates
• Hours of work
• Assessor
• Key people
• Hazards
• References to other documents
• Sequence of work
• PPE
• Monitoring arrangements
• First aid and welfare arrangements
• Emergency procedures

You might not need to include all this information for every method statement, but you'll likely need most of it.

Business name

You'll definitely share your method statement with your team, but you might also share it with other people outside your business:

• The client
• Subcontractors
• SSIP accreditation
• Designers

Include your business information, like your company name and contact information (more on that in "Key people").

If you create your method statements on HASpod, we'll automatically include your business name (and logo on the Documents Plan).

Project

If your method statement is for construction, it's probably for a particular project. You might work on multiple projects a year, so include details like:

• The project name
• The site address
• The project description

Activity

If your method statement is for a specific activity (as part of a larger project), include information on which activity the method statement is for.

Examples include:

• Concrete works
• Installation of roof trusses
• New wall opening

Description of the work

Include a brief description of the work near the start of your method statement, e.g. The creation of a new wall opening including lintel installation.

This description isn't the system of work or procedure. It's a quick description so people know what the method statement is for.

Dates

Include the start and end dates for the activity. People reading your method statement need to know when the activity will happen - and if it is planned or completed.

Hours of work

What hours of work are expected for the task? Will it take place during the day or at night? Are there any restrictions? For example, noisy activities might be restricted to specific times near residential areas. Or your client might have specific requirements, especially if the work is within an occupied building.

Assessor

Your method statement should include the details of the person writing it, in case of any questions or if clarification is needed before or during the work.

Key people

There might be several people involved in the task:

• The site manager
• Supervisor
• Operatives
• Subcontractors
• Designers or consultants
• Temporary works coordinators
• First aiders
• Fire marshals

Make sure you include all relevant names and contact details, along with their responsibilities.

Hazards

You don't need to repeat your risk assessment here, but you can outline the main hazards that you will be addressing during the sequence of work.

References to other documents

There may be other documents relating to the activity, that need to be referenced within the method statement, like:

• Risk assessments
• Permits to work
• Structural surveys
• Ground surveys
• Service plans
• Site plans

Sequence of work

The sequence of work is the planned work procedure and should be the core part of your method statement. It should include, on a stage-by-stage basis, the steps taken and precautions needed to protect the workers carrying out the task, and other people who may be present.

The sequence of work is a list of instructions in a logical order for your team to follow to complete the task safely.

It should include:

• Access points
• Training requirements
• Techniques to be used
• Plant and equipment to be used
• Safety equipment needed
• Materials used
• Substances used
• Delivery and unloading requirements
• Instructions for material handling
• Procedures for protecting operatives
• Procedures for the safety of others (occupants, visitors, members of the public, local residents etc)
• Procedures for protecting the location
• Segregation/exclusion zones
• Prevention of pollution
• Waste disposal and housekeeping
• Disposal of hazardous substances
• Procedures for complying with any relevant regulations

This part of your method statement can contain quite a lot of information, so try to break this area up into sections with headings where you can, and include lists, bullet points, images or diagrams to help make the information clear and easy to digest.

PPE

Your method statement should let people know what PPE they need, and when. For example, some PPE might only be needed during specific parts of the activity, like goggles and dust masks during cutting operations.

Monitoring arrangements

How will you manage the activity to ensure the method statement gets followed and the work is completed correctly (and safely)? You could monitor the activity through a combination of:

• Constant supervision
• Regular inspections
• Meetings
• Audits
• Reviews
• Employee consultation

First aid and welfare arrangements

You should include information on who the first aiders are here (or under "Key people") and where other first aid provisions are like:

• First aid kits
• The accident book

Welfare facilities are a legal requirement. Your workers should always have access to welfare facilities, like toilets, rest areas and drinking water. Include information on where these facilities are and how your team can access them. For example, will they use existing facilities, or will you provide temporary facilities?

Emergency procedures

If there's an emergency, what is the plan of action?

• What if there's an accident?
• What should people do if they hear the fire alarm?
• What action is needed if you discover a hazardous material, like suspected asbestos?

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Now you know all the information you need to include, it's time to get started! Here are 10 tips for writing your method statement.