What is a Method Statement?

A Method Statement is a document used to describe how to control

identified health and safety risks following the preparation of a risk
assessment. Method statements, which are widely used in the
construction industry, outline ways on performing a specific job or
accomplishing a project and ensures that necessary precautions or
control measures are communicated to those involved.

Creating methods of statement helps provide evidence that significant

health & safety risks have been identified and there are safety systems
in place. Initially, it must be written after performing a risk assessment
for a job that will take place. As the job commences,, the method
statement serves as a ‘live’ document that will continually be
reviewed; this will help account any sudden occurrences that may
need adoption of revised work practices.
Method Statement, JSA and Risk Assessment: Which is
which?
Job Safety Analysis (JSA), risk assessment, and method statement are
valuable safety methodologies that all play an important role in
identifying hazards and ensuring safe working environments. Though
they have similarities, these 3 processes serve different purposes:
 Risk Assessment is a systematic examination of a workplace to: 1) Identify
hazards, 2) Assess injury severity and likelihood and 3) Implement control
measures. The scope of risk assessments are much broader and can cover an
entire workplace. It is often the first step used to prioritize hazard controls and
can then prompt a separate JSA or Method Statement for specific tasks or jobs.
Learn more about how to perform a risk assessment in our ultimate risk
assessment guide.
 JSA is s a process of looking at a specific work task (i.e. preparation of
chemicals) and considering what is the safest way to complete it. It involves
breaking down the task into specific steps and identifying hazards and preventive
measures. Learn more in our JSA guide here.
 Methods of Statement, as explained above, are job- or project-
focused; they document the key steps of completing the project safely,
 which are communicated before work commencement. They serve as
guides in organizing and planning how to perform tasks efficiently and
safely.
Who should write a Method Statement?
A method statement should be developed by a supervisor, manager, or
any competent person who is adept with the working processes being
reviewed. In the construction industry, it may be required that method
statements be agreed on between a client, contractor, and principal
contractor.
Further, method statements are recommended to be written by those
involved in these situations:
 Self-employed
 Those carrying out work that is high-risk
 Those carrying out work that is complex 
 Those responsible for performing risk assessments as part of a job 
How to Write a Good Method Statement?
Method statements should not be too complicated and written clearly.
They should be easily understood by those who carry out the work and
their immediate supervisors to avoid confusion. To write a good
method statement, here are some fundamental questions that it
should answer: 
1. What work is to be done? – this includes scope, problem statement or
description of work, and equipment and tools to be used.
2. What are the tasks involved? – list all tasks or processes to finish the
work. Also determine the responsible staff or member for each task.
3. What are the hazards that may cause potential harm to workers?  –
perform a basic risk assessment to identify hazards associated with the tasks.
4. What measures are to be implemented? – determine control and
preventive measures including emergency procedures in place.
5. Was the method statement validated? – validate the method statement by
having all involved worker sign off.
Method statement templates are often used by organizations to ensure
consistency in documentation.

 I Auditor Mobile App for Efficient Method Statements

 Method statements are important safety documents, but can be time
consuming to prepare, burdensome to capture signatures and easy to
lose. A digital solution like iAuditor can:

 Replace paper method statement templates with a mobile app

 Complete reports on the spot with the use of your hand-held device
 Validate audits by gathering electronic signatures faster and easier
 Save all reports online and automatically share it with members of your
organization. Preview a sample report.
 Use for free with small teams. Unlimited reports and storage for premium
accounts
To help you get started, we have created 4 method statement
templates you can download for free and fully customize – no
programming skills required!

Featured Method Statement Templates

Work Method Statement Template
This work method statement template is used to document tasks
involved in a specific task, associated hazards, and its precautionary
measures. Customize it according to your industry and maximize the
use of this template by following the steps below:

1. Describe the scope of work

2. Define the tasks and associated risks
3. Provide control measures for the identified risks
4. Add all involved personnel
5. Complete documentation by signing off with digital signature
Open the PDF file to see a finished example of work method statement
with this template.

Construction Method Statement Template

A construction method statement template is a tool used by the
construction industry to manage work and ensure that necessary
precautions are set and communicated to workers involved. A
construction method statement is an essential requirement for HSE
(Health & Safety Executive) regulations. Consider the following points
below to benefit from this method statement template:

1. Take or attach photo of site

2. Determine employees assigned to supervise and employees
involved in the work or project
3. List down the work or project methodology and identify the
associated hazards and control measures
4. Provide emergency procedures and contact details
5. Complete by signing off on whole document and the method
statement briefing record