It's essentially a risk assessment document detailing the work that is to be carried out in a precise, specific and orderly manner. It needs to address all of the potential risks and hazards associated with the task. A few years ago a subcontractor could get away with a vague generic construction method statement. Today, both architects and principle contractors are scrutinizing methods statement more closely. Why all the fuss about? Construction remains a disproportionally unsafe environment when compared to industries like manufacturing. In an attempt to reduce incidents (many of which are fatal), contractors and subcontractors are required to complete a series of documents to comply with safety legislation - one of which is the mandatory risk assessment. On medium to large construction sites, the principle contractors are taking method statement documents very seriously - so seriously that in fact as a subcontractor, you may be prevented from working on a site without the correct risk assessments and method statement documentation duly signed by all the parties. The method statement must be accepted and signed off by all the parties involved; namely the subcontractor, the principle contractor and in some cases by the consulting engineers before the work begins.
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