When you’re working in industries like construction, putting Health &Safety first isn’t just good practice, it’s essential. With risks around at nearly every stage of a project, it’s really important to have the right documents in place to help you prevent accidents and injuries.

While method statements aren’t a legal requirement, they’re essential for carrying out projects safely and efficiently. So it’s worth taking the time to understand how they work to protect both your workers and your business.

In this blog, we take a closer look at the fundamentals of method statements, including what they are and how they’re used. We’ll then dive into what makes a great method statement to help you create and maintain safe working practices.

What is a method statement?

A method statement is a document that lays out the steps for carrying out certain tasks. They’re also known as ‘safe systems of work’ or ‘a plan of work’. These documents outline the systems or processes that help you carry out work safely and provide information on the controls and precautions specified in risk assessments.

Method statements are usually written, but can also include pictures or diagrams to help highlight the risks or processes needed for a certain step of a task. Because of this, method statements should always be easy for workers to understand.

Why are method statements used?

Method statements aren’t just used to highlight risks; they play a crucial role in breaking tasks down, step by step, to make sure that they can be carried out safely.

Your method statements or method statement templates (which we’ll come on to shortly) allow employers to set out the correct processes to follow to reduce risks. They could be focused on handling a dangerous substance, or scaffold access.

When should method statements be used? 

Method statements are usually only required for high-risk tasks, like those in construction, such as working with electricity or working at height. However, they should be used in any setting where workers are exposed to risks.

Different types of method statements

There are three main types of method statements:

  • A tender method statement – these will often be requested as part of a tender application, and provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate you can deliver work safely, on time and on budget.
  • A construction method statement – outlines the processes required to manage a construction project safely and effectively.
  • A safety method statement – a live document that allows you to update Health and Safety requirements as a project progresses.

What are risk assessment method statements (RAMs)?

Sometimes you might get asked to show your risk assessment method statement (RAMS). This just means you need to produce both your risk assessment and method statements. But watch out – risk assessments and method statements aren’t the same thing, so make sure you don’t get confused.

What’s the difference between a method statement and a risk assessment? 

Risk assessments and method statements both serve the purpose of enhancing Health and Safety across various work sites, but have key differences.

Risk assessments

 A risk assessment identifies and assesses any hazards and risks involved in project work, with control measures suggested to limit any associated risks.

Method statements

A method statement will expand on the findings of the risk assessment, with specific details on the implementation of your measures. This will include how, why and when measures should be taken during work.

Key differences

  • Purpose:
    • Risk Assessment: Identifies and evaluates hazards and risks.
    • Method Statement: Details how to implement control measures to mitigate identified risks.
  • Focus:
    • Risk Assessment: What are the potential dangers and their likelihood/severity?
    • Method Statement: What steps will be taken to do the job safely and manage those dangers?
  • Content:
    • Risk Assessment: Lists hazards, assesses risks, and proposes general control measures.
    • Method Statement: Provides specific, step-by-step instructions for carrying out a task safely, incorporating the control measures. It includes “how,” “why,” and “when” these measures will be applied.

Can method statements and risk assessments complement each other?

Both documents are equally important and complement each other well. Method statements contain more detail than the risk assessment, providing specific information that helps your workers understand what’s expected of them.

It can be useful to use RAM templates (UK free options can be found here) to identify steps to complete specific tasks safely. They’ll provide a structured way to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and outline safe working procedures.

The importance of getting your method statement right

A method statement provides information and details on the safety measures that need to be taken during a task or project. In turn, they help keep your workers, employees and site managers safe from any hazards or associated risks.

Remember that your staff members who are carrying out the job will be the ones using the method statements, so clear communication is really important here. Your method statement should be concise and clear so the job can be completed safely and correctly.

Why method statement templates can help you

Method statement templates can make this process easier. Instead of writing your method statement completely from scratch, you can save time by using blank method statement templates that help you lay out your procedures and hazards.

They ensure you:

  • Follow a standardised format, which can create consistency in safety procedures across different projects and departments
  • Maintain compliance with health and safety regulations and demonstrate due diligence
  • Ensure all relevant information, including steps, hazards, and precautions, is clearly communicated to workers, contractors, supervisors and stakeholders
  • Demonstrate that safety measures have been implemented and procedures have been followed, which are essential in case of investigations, accidents or incidents

Our method statement templates

If you need some support with putting your method statements together, we’ve got plenty of options for you.

We have a huge variety of templates, including blank method statement templates that can be tailored to a variety of tasks. We also have method statement templates for a range of different industries to help you save time and follow processes safely.

You can browse our full range of method statement templates here. 

Who writes a method statement?

Method statements are essential documents written by a qualified professional who is appointed by you. This person must be competent for the role and be able to do the job well. They also need to be familiar with the working procedures that will be carried out during the project.

When the right person has written the method statement, they’ll need to share this document with your employees so they can understand how a task should be carried out. It’s important that workers have access to this information at all times.

Once in place, your method statement will prioritise the safety of those carrying out a project. They will have clear steps and processes to follow, and understand emergency measures like knowing what to do if power needs to be isolated.

What needs to be done to write a method statement?

Before you start, it’s a good idea to assess the situation, task or process by writing a risk assessment. You can take a look at our risk assessment template here.

It’s important to identify the risks and hazards that could potentially cause harm or poor health at each stage of the task or project, so make sure you do this carefully.

We’d recommend analysing each hazard and assessing whether measures have been taken to mitigate them. If controls are already in place, assess those too, and evaluate whether your measures reduce risks and threats or mitigate them entirely.

You should also consider your workers who are carrying out the project. You’ll need to gauge how they can work safely in their workplace environment and ensure the right measures are up to standard.

When you’ve finished your risk assessment, you can then move forward with your method statement.

How should a method statement be written?

Writing a method statement can feel overwhelming. But once you understand what it is, what it’s used for, and how you need to implement it into your business, it should become second nature.

You can use free method statement templates to help you structure your method statement, but it’s also a good idea to take some time to understand best practices before you start writing.

Tips for writing a method statement

We’ve helped hundreds of businesses like yours write their method statements. Let’s look at the key things you should bear in mind when creating your own:

1. Keep it concise and relevant

Your method statement doesn’t need to be too long, but it does need to include all the relevant information. You’ll also need to make sure it can be clearly understood and communicated with your workforce so they can carry out the work safely. Make the document short and concise so that it’s as easy as possible to follow.

2. Outline the project

In the first section of the method statement, make sure you include all the relevant project information that people may need, so they can see key details at a glance. You should include things like the project name, the reference number of the document, and the names of the professionals who created the method statement.

3. Cover hazards and other safety measures

When writing your method statement or using method statement templates, it’s essential to address potential hazards carefully and implement appropriate safety measures. Start by identifying all possible hazards associated with the task, such as working at height, handling hazardous materials, or operating heavy machinery. You can then outline specific control measures that will be put in place to manage these risks. This could include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safety barriers, or designated safe zones.

What you should include

When writing your method statement, make sure you include the following information:

  •  Title and company details
  • A brief description of the work you’re going to be carrying out
  • The project start and completion dates
  •  Site address and contact details
  •  Referencing other associated documents, such as the risk assessment
  •  Staff and training
  •  Permits to work
  •  Material handling / PPE
  •  Monitoring and management arrangements
  •  Welfare and first aid arrangements
  •  Emergency procedures

By including these points, you’ll be in a better position to guide workers in performing tasks safely, reducing risks and ensuring health and safety compliance.

Support with method statements

Method statements aren’t the easiest documents to write. But taking the time to get them right is important. These documents can keep workers safe, ensure tasks and projects are carried out effectively, and offer peace of mind that your business is compliant.

If you need some help with your method statement, get in touch with our team. With decades of HR and Health & Safety experience, our experts have supported over 10,000 clients nationwide with getting their Health & Safety policies, procedures, and overall compliance in check. You can also use our free method statement templates or ask our experts to complete your method statement documents for you.