Method Statement Example

A good method statement is specific to the job. Here is the structure we use; generate your own below.

In short

A method statement sets out how a task will be carried out safely, step by step: preparation, set-up, the work itself and completion, with the plant, permits, competence and supervision needed. It puts the controls identified in the risk assessment into a safe system of work.

What it must include

  • ✓Task description, location and duration
  • ✓Step-by-step sequence of works
  • ✓Plant, equipment and materials
  • ✓Permits and isolations required
  • ✓Competence, training and supervision
  • ✓PPE and emergency arrangements
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1

The job

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Tasks on this job

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2

Your details

3

The work

4

Emergency arrangements

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A completed example

Method Statement

Example Decorating Ltd

SiteUnit 3, Riverside Business Park, Leeds
ClientRiverside Estates
Start2 November 2026
Duration4 days
Prepared byJ. Smith
Date1 October 2026

1. Scope of works

Repaint the high-level walls and ceiling of an empty warehouse unit using a mobile scaffold tower.

People on site / affected: 2 decorators; site manager on site daily

2. Risk assessment

Risk rating = likelihood (1-5) x severity (1-5). 1-4 Low, 5-12 Medium, 15-25 High.

HazardWho / harmBeforeControl measuresAfter
Unsafe storage of combustible materialsworkers, occupants, public
Rapid fire spread, smoke inhalation or blocked escape.		20
High
  • Keep combustible stock to the minimum needed for the shift.
  • Store it away from ignition sources, heaters and escape routes.
  • Use suitable fire-resisting storage for flammable liquids.
  • Remove waste at planned intervals into designated containers.
  • Inspect storage and escape routes at the end of each shift.
10
Medium
Fall from scaffold towertower users
Serious injury or fatality.		20
High
  • Use collective guardrails and toe boards on every working platform.
  • Build and dismantle using an approved safe system such as advance guardrail or through-the-trap.
  • Provide internal access and keep trapdoors shut while working.
  • Do not climb the outside, overreach or use boxes on the platform.
  • Inspect after assembly, alteration, adverse weather and at statutory intervals.
5
Medium
Scaffold tower collapse or overturntower users, people nearby
Crushing, fall injuries or fatality.		20
High
  • Follow the manufacturer's configuration and instruction manual.
  • Use trained persons to assemble, alter and dismantle the tower.
  • Fit stabilisers, outriggers and ballast where specified.
  • Lock castors and place the tower on firm level ground.
  • Do not move an occupied tower or use it above the permitted wind speed.
5
Medium
Falling tools or materialsoperatives, other workers, public
Head injury, crushing or fatality to people below.		20
High
  • Establish a signed and physically segregated exclusion zone below.
  • Fit toe boards, brick guards or debris netting appropriate to the material.
  • Secure tools and small components where dropping is foreseeable.
  • Raise and lower materials in suitable containers rather than throwing them.
  • Store materials back from edges and within platform load limits.
10
Medium
High wind affecting height or lifting workworkers at height, lifting team, public
Falls, overturn, uncontrolled loads or falling objects.		20
High
  • Obtain a location-specific forecast before the shift.
  • Measure wind at the work position where required.
  • Follow the lowest applicable equipment, load and method wind limit.
  • Secure loose sheets, tools and materials before conditions worsen.
  • Stop and descend or make safe when the limit or safe control is lost.
5
Medium
Solvent and VOC vapour exposureusers, occupants, nearby workers
Dizziness, irritation, dermatitis, unconsciousness or long-term ill health.		16
High
  • Substitute a water-based or lower-volatility product where practicable.
  • Follow the current safety data sheet and COSHH assessment.
  • Provide effective general or local exhaust ventilation.
  • Keep containers closed and decant only the minimum required.
  • Prohibit ignition sources and stop work if anyone develops symptoms.
8
Medium
Lead dust or fumeworkers disturbing lead, others exposed to contamination
Lead poisoning affecting nervous, blood, kidney and reproductive systems.		16
High
  • Identify lead-containing paint or material before disturbance.
  • Avoid hot cutting, burning, uncontrolled sanding and dry sweeping.
  • Use enclosure, local extraction and low-dust methods.
  • Provide clean and dirty changing arrangements and prohibit eating in the work zone.
  • Arrange statutory medical surveillance where exposure is significant as defined by the assessment.
8
Medium
Stepladder collapse or overturnoperatives, others nearby
Fracture, head injury or fatal fall.		16
High
  • Select a stepladder of suitable industrial rating and height.
  • Open it fully and engage every locking restraint before use.
  • Place all feet on firm, level, clean ground.
  • Keep the user's knees below the top safe standing level stated by the manufacturer.
  • Stop use if hinges, feet, treads or restraints are damaged.
8
Medium
Blocked or unavailable fire escapeworkers, occupants, visitors
Entrapment, smoke inhalation or fatality during evacuation.		15
High
  • Keep every designated escape route, door and final exit unobstructed.
  • Do not lock or fasten escape doors so they cannot be readily opened.
  • Maintain emergency lighting and signs appropriate to the premises.
  • Coordinate temporary work that affects alarms, doors or escape routes with the responsible person.
  • Brief workers on alarm, assembly point and alternative route before starting.
5
Medium
Trip over cables, waste or uneven groundworkers, visitors, public
Sprain, fracture or impact injury.		12
Medium
  • Plan routes before positioning equipment and materials.
  • Route cables overhead or use secured cable protection.
  • Remove waste and packaging throughout the shift.
  • Mark, repair or securely cover unavoidable changes in level.
  • Provide sufficient lighting and keep emergency routes clear.
3
Low

3. Method statement: sequence of works

Preparation

  1. Identify coating/substrate hazards including lead, select lower-hazard products and plan ventilation and access.
  2. Select a tower configuration suitable for height, load, access and manufacturer limits.

Set-up

  1. Protect and segregate the area, remove ignition sources, establish ventilation and position safe access equipment.
  2. A trained person shall assemble on firm level ground using the instruction manual and approved safe method.
  3. Fit guardrails, toe boards, internal access, stabilisers and ballast; lock castors and inspect before use.

Carrying out the work

  1. Keep containers closed, use minimum quantities and maintain ventilation without blocking escape routes.
  2. Stop for unexpected suspect coating, symptoms or inadequate ventilation.
  3. Keep trapdoors closed, loads within limits and users inside guardrails; stop in excessive wind.

Completion

  1. Seal and store products, dispose of contaminated waste safely, remove coverings and ventilate until safe for reoccupation.
  2. Clear the platform and have trained persons dismantle in the approved sequence, then quarantine defects.

PPE

  • safety helmet
  • safety footwear
  • weather-appropriate clothing
  • chemical-resistant gloves selected from SDS
  • eye protection
  • RPE only where assessed and face-fit tested
  • suitable face-fit-tested RPE
  • disposable or dedicated clothing

Plant and tools

  • brushes and rollers
  • suitable access equipment
  • local ventilation where assessed
  • sealed waste containers
  • compatible tower components
  • stabilisers
  • barriers
  • manufacturer instruction manual
  • steps
  • tower scaffold
  • sander with extraction
  • sprayer where assessed

Permits

  • occupancy or out-of-hours authorisation where required
  • scaffold handover or tower inspection record where site rules require

Competence and supervision

  • Operatives must understand product COSHH assessment and access equipment; lead disturbance requires a specific assessment and controls.
  • Assembler must be trained in the selected tower system and safe assembly method; users must receive instruction.

Emergency arrangements

  • Move affected people to fresh air, follow SDS first aid, raise the fire alarm for ignition and obtain medical help for significant exposure.
  • Prevent further access, call site rescue/first aid after a fall, and do not move an unstable tower until the area below is cleared and a competent person directs it.
  • Appointed first aider / person: J. Smith (supervisor).
  • Nearest A&E: Leeds General Infirmary.
  • In an emergency call 999. Report incidents to the site manager and record them; reportable incidents must be notified under RIDDOR 2013.

Check on site before work starts

  • Confirm quantities, flash points and fire compartment/escape routes.
  • Confirm platform height and inspection status.
  • Confirm tower make, configuration, height-to-base limits and wind exposure.
  • Confirm exclusion-zone boundary and public interface.
  • Confirm local gust limit and safe shutdown method.
  • Confirm SDS, exposure limit, ventilation and flammability.
  • Confirm survey/testing, exposure significance and medical-surveillance decision.
  • Confirm manufacturer markings and maximum standing level.
  • Confirm current fire risk assessment and temporary route changes.
  • Confirm cable routes, floor defects and shared access.

Legislation and guidance referred to

Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002; Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002; Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002; HSE CIS10; HSE INDG225; HSE INDG305; HSE INDG455; LOLER 1998; Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Work at Height Regulations 2005; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Briefing and sign-off

I confirm this document has been explained to me and I understand the controls.

NameSignatureDate

This document was drafted with SitePaper from information supplied by Example Decorating Ltd. The employer / contractor remains responsible for its contents and must have it reviewed by a competent person for the specific site and task before work starts. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Example only: generate your own above for your job and site.

Sources

Page updated 2026-10-04.

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