Safe systems of work

Although lower than hazard elimination and physical barriers in the hierarchy of risk control, the way tasks are performed is an important part of managing risks. Often there will be many different ways of doing the same activity, but some will be safer than others. This is why it is important to define safe systems of work.

A safe system of work is a method of working designed to eliminate, if possible, or otherwise reduce risks to health and safety. It should consider:
* The physical lay-out of the job;
* The sequence in which the work is to be carried out;
* The provision of warnings;
* The provision of instructions, procedures and notices;
* Competence requirements;
* Tools, equipment and other resource requirements;
* Role of supervision.

Safe systems of work should consider the need to change methods during an activity (i.e. in response to related and unrelated events) and constraints of work (i.e. when the activity should stop). A clear definition of what success will look like will help everyone understand what is required.