Posted By Michelle Street Could someone please explain the difference between method statements and safe systems of work. I was trying to develop standard layouts but I'm totally confused now thanks to a helpful colleague. I've search the forums but have found 1 thread saying they are the same and another saying they are different - which is right?

Posted By AlB Ask a different person what it means and get a different answer. It's one of those but the end result is the same. A simplified way of looking at it is that a safe system of work is a procedure that ensures that a certain task is carried out safely, and following that procedure will ensure safety, and a method statement is the writing of that procedure on paper. Usually a Method Statement will be prepared for a one-off job (contractors usually prepare a method statement to show how they will do a task safely). They are, in essence, the same.

Posted By Miss B I have always assumed that method statement is the same as defining the methodolgy of how a task is to be completed. Of course the risk assessment needs to be a contributory document in putting together this document. The confusion surround method/safe systems of work is huge, all too often when I read a method statements Identifies what is to be rahter than how the task is to be done.

Posted By Kevin Drew I tend to agree with Tony. A safe system of work is essentially the whole package which will include a risk assessment, method statement, COSHH assessment, manual handling assessment, etc, etc as required to ensure a task or operation is performed safely. Typically, a method statement would describe the actual mechanics of a task in a step by step approach. Kevin Drew

Posted By Aidan Toner Its a bit of a tragedy that professionally there is so much confusion over the working applicaion of these two terms.(There are possibly a host of other 'health and safety terms' that present similar headscratch)If we were a bunch of surgeons would we say pass me that knife with the sqiggly blade on it,would the accountant say its time we tot up those big sums in April????.I think its important we allocate more professional definition to these and similarly used/abused terms.Remember if we cannot clearly communicate with each other on a one to one professional basis then these words and concepts will be treated with much distain by 3rd parties. Just to ADD to the confusion I always considered a method statement as a product of the old time and motion school-A METHOD STATEMENT being something which describes how things ACTUALLY ARE.It involves many variables,such as materials,tools,skill level,time taken,.The method statement having nothing to do specifically with Health and Safety other than offer itself as a piece of factual operational information which could potentially be used in a risk assessment.A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK gets born out of the risk assessment process and is a record of the operational measures permitted to remain but obliged to work alongside both the longstanding and more recent safety critical measures. --------------But this is only MY humble perspective on the meaning of Method Statement and Safe System.The phraseology mess gives immense scope for IOSH to begin the process of tying down many of these terms with ascribed terminology and letting everyone else- lawyers, insurers,engineeers follow suit.IF bringing all the other professions along with us is a tall order, at least we would all know what we were saying to each other as professionals.

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Yep; Tony and Kevin do it for me! Safe days CFT

Posted By Tony Brunskill Aidan, The term method statement applies in all sort of scenarios. As this is a safety forum one assumes we are discussing its application within a safety context. Call me a bluff old traditionalist........

Posted By Fornhelper Just to add a bit to this debate. When is a 'safe system' required and should all assessments be followed up with a 'safe system'? If, for example, an assessment was carried out on the safe use of knives in kitchens and control measures detail how they were to be stored, which colours to use for different foodstuffs, how to place them in a dishwasher, what PPE to use etc. etc. then would a safe system of work be necessary? To my mind if the control measures outlined in the risk assessment are adequate to control the risk then the further development of a 'safe system' is unnecessary in most situations and would merely be an admin exercise that provides the same information in a different format. Comments appreciated Regards FH

Posted By Dave Wilson I'll have a go! We have clearly defined safe systems of Work for removing Asbestos and general working conditions. We would then adapt them using a risk assessment and method statement to give to the client / hse to inform them of how we are going to do that particular job safely!

Posted By Mike Draper Safe System of Work = legal term, taken from HSW s2(2)a A SSOW is a way of working taking account of the risks inherent in the activity that is so far as is reasonably practicable safe. It doesn't have to be written or even exist in advance. It may include elements of the individual's specific competence to carry out a task - e.g. a SSOW would include the knowledge, training and experience required to drive a crane or wire a plug - elements that would never be written down in a method statement. Method Statement = probably derived from the construction industry A written step-by-step instruction to carrying out a task safely, defining the sequence of operations and precautions to be taken at each stage. It may define the particular equipment to be used, personel involved and responsibilities at each stage. It may or may not include a risk assessment as part of the documentation, but it should always be prepared on the basis of an RA. By definition a MS is a particular form or part of a SSOW. Different industries use other terminology to mean the same thing e.g. Work Instruction, Lifting Plan, Berthing Study, Safe Working Practice, Safe Operating Procedure, Construction H&S Plan or Safety Procedure.

Posted By Aidan Toner Dont really have any big disagreement with the thoughts of previous contributers as to POSSIBLE definitions for method statements and safe systems of work etc.I would ,however,suggest again that this thread (and many like it) points up a glaring need for US AS A PROFESSIONAL BODY (iosh) to ascribe formal definitions to many of the 'working terms' we all loosely trot out on a daily basis. Ascribed terminology would greatly enhance professional debate and give clarity to 'new' or 'revised' professional developments which we all want to talk about and share. P.S If we as safety professionals are observed (by our clients,emplyees,supervisors)as not being able to communicate easily amongst ourselves then both safety and our professional credibility suffers.

Posted By alex mccreadie I work for a Crane Company and we complete a Method Statement if carrying out a Contract Lift. For those not involved in mainly Construction that means we are in complete control of the lift. If Hiring a Crane to a customer for their use then we would expect them to have a Method Statement in place. This to show our Operator how the Lift would take place. If we did not ask the question of the customer if he had an Appointed Person who had planned the lift with a Method Statement in place then we are not ensuring our employees have a Safe System of Work? With any of these lifts we would supply or insist Risk Assessments formed part of the Method Statement.