In construction, a method statement is a document that outlines, step-by-step, the safe way to execute a particular task. It includes the order of work, equipment, materials, manpower, and safety management. In general it is created by the contractor or subcontractor carrying out the construction work and also approved prior to the construction work commencing by the main contractor or customer.
Imagine that a team is just about to begin digging on a crowded worksite. The foreman is knowledgeable, the engineer has the blueprints, and the client wanted it done yesterday. However, do all parties agree on what, how, when, and where to do the work and how and what to use in terms of safety controls?
If your answer is “sort of," then you are going to need a method statement.
In construction, what is meant by a method statement?
A method statement is a way to make a plan on paper into a clear plan that the entire team can follow. It's like a recipe for an activity of construction. It provides a list of ingredients (time invested in the job, materials, and equipment), the process (the order in which the work is done), and the precautions (safety measures and checks for quality).
It can also be known as a Safe System of Work (SSOW), Work Method Statement (WMS), or Construction Method Statement (CMS). Some of them are named differently from place to place, but they all serve the same function.
Why is it important to have a method statement?
Construction activity is unpredictable, and a good method statement minimizes that uncertainty.
• Safety: Identifying hazards before work and articulating how to manage hazards.
• Clarity: Supervisors and subcontractors understand their responsibilities, and their tasks are in order.
• Quality: This defines the standard to which the work must be done, and therefore there is less rework.
• Compliance: If you need this before high-risk/specialist work is approved by many clients and regulators.
• Accountability: shows what was planned and agreed if something goes wrong.
• Reducing delays, waste, and unforeseen costs: Clear practices can help keep costs in check.
How many parts are there in the method statement?
Although the format doesn't have to be the same, a good method statement typically includes the following:
• The project to be built should be identified by the following information: project name, project location, client, contractor, and project date.
• A brief description of the activity, such as concrete pouring, scaffolding, or demolition
• Individuals and roles: who is doing what and who is supervising
• The tools, machinery, and special needs that are needed.
• The essence of the document, clearly explained: Step-by-step work sequence.
• Health, safety, and environmental controls—PPE, barriers, permits, emergency procedures, waste handling
• The quality requirements for the inspection points, standards, and testing.
• Training and competency: What training or competency certifications must be obtained before beginning work?
• Risk assessment reference: a link to the related risk assessment
• States of Preparation, Review, and Approval: Signatures of those who prepared, reviewed, and approved it.
Method statement vs. risk assessment: what is the difference?
A risk assessment is a process that helps to determine what is likely to go wrong and what the consequences of it might be. A method statement will outline how the work is going to be carried out with these risks.
The risk assessment states, "Falls can occur when working at height." In the method statement it is stated that we will have edge protection and certified harnesses and will work in this order. Most projects require both, and they must always match.
In the construction industry, who prepares a method statement?
This can be prepared by the party undertaking the project, depending on the project.
• Contractor or subcontractor: They will generally be the ones to write the method statement for their work.
• Site engineers and project managers: On bigger jobs, they write the document or work with supervisors and foremen to collaborate on it.
• Health and safety officers: They check and/or add to the health and safety sections.
• Planners and estimators are other people who tend to be involved early because all of the other factors that are going to impact cost (labor, equipment, and time) are influenced by the method selected.
Who approves it? Typically it is signed-off by the main contractor, client representative, or consultant. The method statement must be signed off, and the team must be briefed before they begin undertaking a high-risk task.
A brief illustration of the method statement for concrete pouring.
Here's the simplified outline to demonstrate how it works in practice:
• Scope: Pour a slab for the ground floor, c. 120 m².
• Preparation: Inspect formwork, rebar spacing, and cover. Verify the engineer's sign-off inspection.
• Trucks and machinery: Concrete pump, vibrators, screed beam, PPE for all workers.
• Delivery & placing: Ensure mix grade is confirmed on delivery ticket and place concrete into agreed bays.
• Compaction and finishing: Vibrate, screed, and finish to the required depth.
• Curing: Keep under cover and moisture for the indicated time.
• Safety controls: Barriers around the pump area, traffic marshal for trucks, gloves and eye protection to avoid skin burns.
• Quality checks: Slump test and cube samples taken at the agreed frequency.
A real document would be more detailed, but the structure will remain the same.
To write a proper method statement
• Write to someone else who is going to perform the work. If it is not easily repeatable by a new worker, rewrite it.
• Maintain a logical sequence. Mark the steps and do not skip steps.
• Be specific. Use appropriate equipment: This is too general a statement. It is helpful to use a 20-tonne mobile crane and have a certified operator.
• Compare it with the actual location. It's common and risky to copy paste an old document without updating it.
• Consult and revise it as conditions or plans evolve.
• Brief the team. A good document that hasn't been read is merely paperwork
What are the implications of method statements on cost estimation in construction?
How something is going to be constructed has a direct impact on how much it will cost. A method statement will inform you of the number of workers required, the duration for each activity, the equipment you will need to hire, and what safety measures you will need to plan for.
Without knowledge of the construction method, an estimate may exclude significant work items like temporary works, specialist plant, additional labor, etc. For this reason, accurate construction estimation and a well-planned method statement go hand-in-hand.
At Design Estimation, we offer construction estimation services for contractors, builders, and developers to provide a solid number behind their plans. For every bid or build that is on the horizon, stop by designestimation.com to check out how we can help you on your next estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Do method statements have to be legal?
This will vary by country and project. It is good practice and, in many cases, necessary for higher-risk work for many clients and regulators. Refer to local regulations, including OSHA in the USA and HSE in the UK.
May there be more than one method statement for a single method?
When it comes to instructions, it is better to have separate ones for different activities; thus, its instructions remain clear and easy to follow.
What is the length of a method statement?
Until there was sufficient clarity. Simple tasks can be 1 or more pages, but more pages can be required for complex or high-risk work.
Who is the signatory on a method statement?
Typically the person who prepares it is a reviewer, like a site manager or safety officer, and an approver, like the main contractor or a client's representative.
Final thoughts
The method statement is a practical tool that helps to ensure the safety of people, organization of work, and project timeliness. It is typically prepared by the contractor or subcontractor that is doing the work, with the help of engineers, safety officers (OSHA), and estimators, and is approved prior to work beginning. Combine it with an accurate estimate and you're on the right track to success in your project from the first day.
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