Method statement for night and low-light work
A night-work method statement should describe tasks, shift times, staffing, lighting and how emergency and welfare arrangements operate outside normal hours. Poor visibility, fatigue, vehicle conflict, reduced supervision, noise, cold and personal-security risks can combine. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require these risks to be assessed and controlled, while the Working Time Regulations 1998 contain health-assessment and limits for night workers. Survey illuminance needs and place lighting to avoid glare, deep shadow and dazzling drivers or neighbours. Plan breaks and shift handovers rather than relying on caffeine, keep escape routes and work faces lit if a lamp fails, and test out-of-hours communications and site access before the shift starts.
- ✓5 steps from preparation to completion
- ✓Covers: 3 key hazards and their controls
- ✓Permits: out-of-hours authorisation where required
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
You stay the duty holder: review the document for your site before work starts. SitePaper is a drafting tool, not a consultancy.