SWMS: More Than Just A Commitment To Safe Workplaces

Your Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) should be accorded the same weight and value as your business financial statement. Without the establishment of best practices on construction worksite health and safety, you could be putting your organisation at risk – not just in the sense of risking your employees’ health and well-being, but also in the most basic business sense of doing potential harm to your bottom line.

Building boom: Boon or bane?

The construction business has experienced a boom in the past few years, business observers say. Everywhere you go today, from the wealthiest cities to small towns struggling to flourish, you will most likely witness a noticeable flurry of building activity. There seems to be a constant need for new complexes, shopping and commercial centres, monuments and infrastructures, and residential projects. For a lot of people, a building boom is a testament to development, recovery and a bright view of the future.

This development is both an opportunity and a challenge for construction companies. The competition is now understandably more intense, as construction businesses try to offer much higher quality work, better services and more innovative solutions that will help them attract the best customers and win the most lucrative contracts.

Reducing business risks through occupational safety

This is also a time when it has become even more important for companies to be strict about ensuring safety in the workplace – as any smart business owner knows, safety is closely linked to improved business performance and profitability. This task often begins with the development of critical work occupational safety documents.

Developing safety documents can be costly, but many companies are now discovering that instead of paying the substantial professional fees of a consultant, they can actually come up with a working SWMS by simply using an SWMS Template drafted by industry experts.

The most obvious benefit of coming up with the right safety documentation and being diligent with the implementation of its principles and recommendations is the establishment of a safer working environment and the reduction of potential injuries and accidents in the workplace.

A comprehensive, competently written SWMS provides more advantages, as follows:

– Increased brand awareness. A commitment to safety will boost your brand credibility and establish trust in your market.

– Better business opportunities. People and organisations today are more supportive of businesses that do their work in the most socially responsible manner.

– Strengthened legal compliance. Meeting legal requirements enhances business reputation – and most importantly, prevents potential legal issues in the future.

– Reduced delays and disruptions. A well-written SWMS establishes the best practices on how to execute tasks in the work that you do, helping you avoid mistakes and missteps along the way.

– More engaged workforce. Studies show that people who work in an environment where they feel safe and well are more productive, show more initiative and positively impact fellow employees’ behaviour as well.