Plumbing Method

Statement

Guidance Note
No.23

November 2009

1
Guidance Note GN 1 (V1) February 2009
 Method Statements -
A basic guide to preparation
Introduction

The purpose of a method statement is to ensure that safety critical work is carried out in a particular
sequence. There are few examples where their definitive requirements are laid down by statute or
other regulatory standard. Where they do exist they are predominantly for high-risk activities such as
licensed asbestos removal, demolition and steel erection. In these cases, not only is a method
statement a legal requirement, but also its structure and format are clearly defined.

The general principle is to ensure that a safe system of work applies to all work activities and as such
a method statement is an ideal way to prove that the risks associated with a particular activity has
been carefully considered and appropriate controls implemented.

Format

The actual format is dependent on the work being undertaken and the organisational arrangements in
place but generally the following headings should be present:

1. Organisation/company in control of the operation

2. Named individual responsible for the activity and its safety
3. Name of method statement originator and authorisation date
4. Arrangements for changing/deviating from method statement
5. General description of activity
6. Location of activity including access and restrictions
7. General working environment considerations, e.g. temperature and wind speed
8. Protection of others, e.g. members of the public
9. Emergency procedures, including location of emergency equipment
10. Identity of operatives (and any specific training or certification required)
11. Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
12. Plant and equipment used, including safety precautions and restrictions
13. Materials information e.g. hazard information and storage/transport requirements
14. Work sequence, including associated risks and required control measures for each stage.
15. Safety checks/clearances at specific stages
16. Final clearance that activity is completed to specification
17. Any other additional information that may be relevant
The list above is not exhaustive and a method statement may or may not include each and every
item. However as a minimum it must achieve the following objectives:-

 It should be up to date, identifiable and its source accountable

 It should contain the sequence of works
 It should identify the associated risks and control measures
 It should state actions/authorisation required to deviate from method statement

Below is an example method statement for relatively low risk activities. It can be as simple or as
detailed as the job/risk requires, so long as it meets the four main objectives.

Guidance Note 2 GN 23 (V2) November 2009

 Method Statement

Contract Manager: Site Supervisor:

Mr Theresa Green Mr Sandy Beeches

Originator: George Williams Position: Safety Manager Date:21/08/2008

This method statement is critical to the health and safety of the activity(ies) it relates to. It
is to be strictly adhered to. Any deviation must first be authorised by the Site Supervisor.
Planned Task/Activity Description:
Replace Ball Valve to Water Tank.
Location and Access: (attached plan as appropriate)
Located on flat roof through access door into plant room.
Working Environment & Restrictions:
Access to roof through locked door, once on roof attach harness to fixed safety restraint system,
follow set walkway to plant room. If no information is available on the site water treatment
regime/water quality checks, contact office for further clearance to work.
Protection of others:
Men at work sign attached to roof access door, additional signage displayed at work area
Emergency Procedures:
Normal site emergency procedures will apply.
Operatives/Competence:
1 city and guilds trained Plumber
Personal Protective Equipment:
Overalls, Safety Harness, Gloves, Goggles, Safety Footwear
Plant & Equipment:
Isolation lock and general hand tools
Materials Handling/Storage & Safety Information:
All material in manageable individual lengths
Critical Stages: (must be undertaken in correct sequence)
1. On arrival site contact made and site induction undertaken
2. Access site log book (ensuring to check for details of water treatment regime) and asbestos
register if applicable
3. Collect site permit to work and sign for hand held radio, plus roof access and plant room keys
4. Gain access to roof area via internal stairway, place safety signage on roof access door and
attach safety harness to safety restraint system
5. Follow set walkway to plant room, unlock plant room door, detach safety harness and enter
plant room
6. locate water tank and store all materials and equipment safely to avoid slip and trip hazards
7. Operative to make other persons aware of work in progress via safety signage
8. Isolate main water supply to ball valve
9. Relieve water pressure to ball valve with lever arm
10. Prevent system being re-energized via isolation lock
11. Disconnect ball valve from pipework
12. Withdraw ball valve from the tank
13. Fit replacement ball valve
14. Reconnect ball valve to pipework (renewing the washer to connection)
15. Check all unions are tight
16. Re-pressurise the water system
17. Check all joints/unions for leaks
18. Check full operation of ball valve and set tank water level
19. Re-energize system
20. Tidy away all tools/waste and remove safety signage
21. Lock plant room door, attach safety harness to safety restraint system and follow set path to
roof access door. Detach safety harness, remove safety signage and gain entry to internal
stairway, ensuring roof access door is locked
22. Return all keys and radio to site contact and complete permit to work
23. Enter any relevant details in site log book.
Final Clearance: (Work/Activity completed to satisfaction).

Name Position: Date:

Method Statement
Guidance Note 3 GN 23 (V2) November 2009
 Contract Manager: Site Supervisor:

Originator: Position: Date:

This method statement is critical to the health and safety of the activity(ies) it relates to. It
is to be strictly adhered to. Any deviation must first be authorised by the Site Supervisor.
Planned Task/Activity Description:

Location and Access: (attached plan as appropriate)

Working Environment & Restrictions:

Protection of others:

Emergency Procedures:

Operatives/Competence:

Personal Protective Equipment:

Plant & Equipment:

Materials Handling/Storage & Safety Information:

Critical Stages: (must be undertaken in correct sequence)

Final Clearance: (Work/Activity completed to satisfaction).

Name Position: Date:

Guidance Note 4 GN 23 (V2) November 2009