Method Statement

[jonkay]

Hi all,
I have just joined up on this forum, and am looking for some help.
We run a fabrication shop, and have just sent 2 coded welders on site this morning.
They have been stopped from working, until I can get an arc welding
method statement approved and in place.
Do any of you guys have a method statement, that I may be able to use?
Long shot I know, but worth asking
TIA. Jon Kay

 

[malcolm]

There are a couple of members who ought to be able to give pointers, but they will be at work just now.

It's probably best to write your own anyway - the idea is to get you to think about what the risks might be and how to stop them from being a problem, and it would be specific to the job -

ie risk: all the wood chippings on the ground below the welder might catch fire, control: sweep them up before welding and have a fire extinguisher nearby.

There will be all the other normal stuff you deal with in your workshop - welding screens to protect passers by etc.

If you search Google for method statement there are a few good links, and here's an example http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...9jI9jS&sig=AHIEtbQqgoREN0avo9hrl87l0PGtr_r_SA

 

[jonkay]

Thanks Malcolm, I'm cobbling something up myself. Yeah, it does need to be site specific. I can post it on here, if anyone is interested.
Jon

 

[Furry Freak]

Yes, sorry - I was at work

Just to add some definitions here, really a Method Statement is usually used for a larger project. Let's say, re-roofing a warehouse. It sets out the client, the contractors and trades, the interaction between them, who's in control of what and when. Plus identification of what could go wrong, emergency procedures, environmental considerations blah blah. See the idea? It is not a specific risk assessment, it is a project overview from which you'd identify where risk assessments might be requested.

Whilst you have been asked for a method statement, I suspect that this is NOT really what they want. They think it is, but it's not. They want the sub documents for the particular tasks that your guys are performing and probably some demonstration of their competence. Not just their ability to weld, but their ability to work safely. As well as a description of the bit of work that they are there to carry out.

I would suggest that you set it out along the following sort of lines.
1) Overview of the work
2) What could go wrong (that you could cause)
3) What measures will be used to prevent that
4) What procedures will be in place in case it does
5) associated documentation such as certificates, risk assessment of SIGNIFICANT stuff etc.

Hope that helps

FF

 

[decepticon]

method statement should be a description step by step of what your employees need to do to carry out a task.
for example
how to lift steel parts in to place
where equipment is to be placed
how to gain access
how to carry out fundamental parts of the work burning or grinding etc of parts

risk ass example
cuts to hands-wear suitable gloves
falls from height-harness to be attached at all times or safety netting or scaffolding erected
head injuries-wear hard hat

coshh data sheets should be given for all substances, paint, electrodes, silicone etc

copy of relevant test certs also included and mentioned somewhere in the above

operatives MUST sign a copy of all the above to ensure they have been told what to do (also to protect the employer)

changes to method of work should be rewritten

hopefully you have got your paperwork sorted by now but the above may assist others

the job we are now starting we had to include in the method statement where operatives had to park their cars/vans and include a drawing!!!

 

[Furry Freak]

Sorry. Have to disagree. That is NOT what a method statement is. You do not have to teach competent tradesmen to suck eggs. This is the client wanting assurance that the contractor that has been engaged is going to have people working safely. They do not want the ins and outs of what those tradesmen need to know. This is an exchange of documentation between two companies. Not an exchange between employer and employee.
The documentation for the employees themselves would be things like safe systems of work, standard operating procedures, site instructions etc.
COSHH data sheets are worthless without an assessment to go along with them. The MSDS is NOT and assessment. Signing does not protect the employer.

The client should not be getting into the detail of the welder putting on their gloves. All you need to provide is an ASSURANCE that you and your people are competent.

FF (CFIOSH, FIIRSM)

 

[the snooper]

this is what wikipedia states

A work method statement, sometimes referred to as a safe work method statement or a safe work procedure, is predominately used in construction to describe a document that gives specific instructions on how to safely perform a work related task, or operate a piece of plant or equipment. It is law to have work method statements in place to advise employees and contractors on how to work safely.

The statement is generally used as part of a safety induction and then referred to as required throughout a workplace. All states of Australia enforce the use of work method statements.

Method statement is submitted by the contractor to the consultant at the beginning of the project for approval. It can also be submitted three weeks before the contractor start the activity on site. The method statement encompasses the following:

1.purpose
2.scope
3.references
4.definitions
5.responsibilities
6.equipment
7.risk assessment
8.safety
9.procedure
10.attachments (if any)

 

[Furry Freak]

Hmmn, that would be an Australian entry then. As it clearly is not law in the UK. Just as well I didn't get my qualifications from Wikipedia then or it would be 20 years wasted. Actually it is fairly close, but the Aussies do have a different system to us. But MS and SSOW etc are utterly different documents and certainly a MS is not a document on how to use a piece of plant for example.

Or maybe I am wrong and should give up my profession and get more practice welding?

FF

 

[the snooper]

here is one from a uk supplier

 

[Furry Freak]

Like I said in the first post then
- Health and Safety legislation which requires them to make suitable and sufficient enquiries as to the competence of any organisation they contract to carry out work.

Method Statements are frequently requested as part of a tender process which allows the company to gain an insight into your organisation and the way it operates. They allow your company to demonstrate how it can provide goods and services in a safe and high quality manner. For this reason Method Statements become another brochure for your company and it is necessary to have well presented documentation to gain a competitive advantage over your competition.

Thanks for the confirmation on that one then.

FF

 

[the snooper]

even the wiki version said basically the same its all common sence stuff.
just like risk assesments
sources of fuel , oxygen , ignition how to minimise risk remove fuel and or ignition source

they are all things you should be doing anyway written or not

 

[MarkMG]

Yoir starting point for any reference needs to be here
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/index.htm
wiki is not reliable enough as a reference point for compling with UK law.
If you don't understand what is asked for seek help from the CDM coordinator, there will be one appointed by the client for the job you are working on.
It is not really an area you can take short cuts on now days.

 

[Ratcatcher]

Generics can be altered for site specific,after all you have to visit a site to determine what the specifics may or not be,a generic you don't.

A method statement is your operation whilst going about,conducting and finalising your work.
To put it another way:
A method statement is this-All persons will have suitable and adequate safety and training for the work involved.
All persons shall carry out a visual inspection whilst on site and fix or report any or all hazards or dangers to themselves or others.
Work vehicle transports staff and welding plant to site,this is off loaded manually by atleast two trained-competant persons "Honda gen set",the welding set is to be wheeled by a trained-competant person/s to the area/place of work.
The area of works are to be screened by appropriate and adequate welding shields and the area will have approved fire extinguishers and trained fire watch persons at all times.
The person/s carrying out welding will be suitably trained.
The person/s will have suitable and adequate safety protection for the work involved.
All expended welding rods will be placed in a bucket of water to cool down.
A trained fire watch person/s will be at the place of work until x-amount of time after hot works cease to either if trained-deal with a small fire or raise an alarm for professional help in extinguishing.
There will be more but it's mainly just common sense,"generic"just imagine yourself going to site,carrying out the work then leaving and writing down the way it's done.
A site specific has to be done by going there and seeing the potential problems/complications i.e welding next to a plastic pipe that has GAS marked on it.......
There's as much as you want to put in...

Footnote:the above may not be in the right order but my excuse is-it's late and i'm knackered.........

Foot/Footnote:Always cover your **** because noone else will.......

Rat.

 

[mrcharly]

Marina asking for Method Statement for private work

I need to do some welding on a boat that I have in a marina. So I emailed the marina manager, asking if they allowed welding (some don't, due to corrosion worries), the power supply limits and plug types on the power boards.

The reply

"Welding may be permitted on board your vessel subject to the provision of a satisfactory Risk Assessment and Method statement. The vessel may be required to be moved to a more isolated berth and obviously fire risks would be required to be mitigated."

No argument with the last sentence - and I've got no problems with that. I can supply a fire blanket, CO2 extinguisher. Any other suggested gear?

But I'm surprised at the first bit. I'm not 'trained', so can't claim that in a Method statement.

For the 'fire' bit:

"Appropriate screening will be used to minimise the risk of sparks travelling to pontoon woodwork or other boats. A certified fire blanket and inspected CO2 extinguisher will be kept on hand for use in the event of fire. Where possible, work will be carried out away from possible sources of ignition. If not possible, shielding (such as a flame-proof cloth) will be used."

 

[Welderpaul]

MS and RA's need to concentrate on your intended steps and provisions to reduce/eliminate the risk of fire rather than how you will deal with a fire (This is the emergency action and obviously should always be avoided - albeit needs to be documented)

Fire prevention steps.........removal of combustable materials, no hot work one hour before vacating premises for the day, fire watcher, use of alternative methods to avoid hot work, damping down adjacent timber etc before starting hot works etc etc.

Quite often (in the construction game anyway) a trained person can just be a 'competent person' who can show that he has a bit in the grey matter and can act properly in the case of an emergency. You may well just need them to clarify what they will accept in relation to 'training'.

 

[markthewelder]

Just a quick note for mrcharly, this is a bit off topic (and late) but it's very relevant to a welding method statement you supply to your customer for hot work on a vessel or in a marina. . . welding (or any boat/marina hot work risk) is never covered by any 'off the shelf' welders public liability or product liability insurance.

All the underwriters make a distinct point of EXCLUDING any cover for risk for any vessel at port, whether it be leisure craft or commercial and regardless of vessel location.

Same applies for any liability risk if you intend to work from a pontoon, jetty, harbour side. dock, along side any waterway or over water. it's a very separate risk that an insurer will charge you extra for and you will be requested to provide the exact nature of hot work and the type of vessel/s that you wish to do welding work on.

Before any insurer provides you cover for hot work risk on any vessel they want full details before they give you a rate of premium and only if they provide you with specific cover for waterway or floating vessel risk liability cover, then it will be declared on your policy schedule and not in the small print under the section which details risk exceptions !

Any hot work or welding method statement for boat or dock welding work needs to also include the protection measures you have in place specifically for the benefit of the customer.

The hard part for boat welding is where you need to use burning gear on or very near a glass fibre or timber vessel (never mind a steel vessel) . . . try getting specific welding hot work risk cover for that !

Your welding risk assessments for the use of burning gear or welding gear on any boat need to be spot on to minimise any risk to vessel as well as workers etc.

The fire risk while doing welding work even on a clean dry glass fibre vessel can be just as dangerous as the fire risk (and explosion risk) borne from having waste diesel and or oils in the bilge of a steel vessel.

Negating fire risk on any vessel is of paramount importance therefore you will need to pay special attention to the production of a welding work method statement for any boat and or in/at a marina, and the associated risk assessments that will accompany it.

Regards markthewelder

 

[Pete.]

I wonder how the job panned out for mrcharly? It would have been nice to get a follow-up.

 

[MattH]

here is one from a uk supplier

I used these guys when I was doing installs in big shopping centres that required Method Statements and Risk assessments (RAMS). Nice easy web portal, you just type in the customer details and select the work from prepopulated fields and it generates the forms.