DQS390:

CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION TO
METHOD STATEMENT

Siti Nurhayati Hussin

Department of Quantity Surveying (AP114)
FSPU
Introduction
• A work method statement, sometimes called a "safe system of work", is a
document that details the way a work task or process is to be completed.
• widely used in construction as a means of controlling specific health and safety
risks that have been identified, e.g. lifting operations, demolition or dismantling,
working at height (such as work on roofs), installing equipment, and the use of
plant.
• helps manage the work and ensures that the necessary precautions have been
communicated to those involved.
• written by a competent person who is familiar with the process being described
and may need to be agreed between the client, principal contractor and
contractor.

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 Definition

A method statement format can be

defined as a manual which generate by
companies or individuals for detailing the
information “how a particular task or
activity will be carried out”

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METHOD STATEMENT
Definition
• An explanation of the sequence of operations augmented by a description of the
resources (i.e cranes ) required for the job.
Or
• An assessment of the best construction techniques and methods to organise
materials, manpower and machineries, in order to calculate the minimum and
most reasonable duration.
METHOD STATEMENT
• used to control the operation and to ensure that all concerned are aware of the hazards

associated with the work and the safety precautions to be taken.

• usually written by the engineers doing the work

• involve collating information from all the drawings and specifications to produce a series of large-

scale sketches, giving general dimensions, positions of service and stressing ducts and

reinforcement.

• also contain information concerning the order and method of construction with reference to work

procedures.
Why Method Statement?
• The process of preparing a written method statement will provide
evidence that:
• Significant health and safety risks have been identified.
• Co-operation of workers has been ensured.
• Safe, co-ordinated systems of work have been put in place.
• Workers have been involved in the process.

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 Why Method Statement?
• Greenhalgh (2013) summarized the purposes of designing a method
statement is to:
• Identify the scope of works
• Identify potential hazards
• Allow the employee to understand the scope of work and the specific
requirements.
• Inform the client of the specific requirements of the work.
• Form part of the project health and safety file.

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Why Method Statement? (cont’d)
• method statements need be no longer than is necessary for them to
be effective.
• they are for the benefit of those carrying out the work, therefore
should be clear, not be overcomplicated and only illustrated where
necessary.

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Benefit of preparing Method Statement
• to get plan for work and health and safety management.
• to minimise and control the risks in an appropriate way.
• to protect workforce and those that may be exposed.
• encourages planning for the task or activity, rather than just going ahead with the
work, and finding out as you go along.
• gives a degree of commitment to what is written down, rather than a brief
consideration, and perhaps discussing a few options, but not actually reaching a
formal decision.

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Benefit of preparing Method Statement
(cont’d)
• provide a record, not only to show one has complied with their legal
duty, but as something that can be referred back to, and use to
monitor activities.
• Written records of decisions made, instructions given and feedback
allow one to check that procedures are being followed, and identify
any weaknesses in health and safety management.

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Benefit of preparing Method Statement
(cont’d)
• document forms a basis to the management of the activity that can be developed
and amended in the future.
• documents communicate thoughts from those who planning to those who
implement it - verbal instructions passed down through the management
structure can get forgotten or misunderstood, whereas detailed risk assessments
and method statements provide clear instructions to your workforce.
• allows coordination with other activities - where an activity is in close proximity
to a high risk task, the risk assessment for the other task can be accessed, and the
risks and controls associated taken into consideration for the task at hand. This
sharing of information can help reduce the combined risks involved with multiple
activities.

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Points to consider when preparing Method
Statement
• Is there a safer way of doing this task?
• Will workers actually implement the controls as planned?
• Do these controls make the job difficult or inconvenient?
• Are there small changes that will improve the intended method?
• How will these controls work in adverse conditions, e.g. weather?
• Will workers require additional briefing or instructions?

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Typical Contents of Method Statement
• Details of the organisation in control of the activity.
• Details of the individual responsible for the activity.
• A description of the activity.
• A description of how the work will be managed.
• The location of the activity, its boundaries, means of access and how
it is segregated from other activities.
• Plant and equipment required.
• The procedure for changing the proposed method of work if
necessary.
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Typical Contents of Method Statement
(cont’d)
• A step by step description of the activities to be undertaken.
• Precautions necessary to protect workers, and other people that
could be affected, including personal protective equipment and
ventilation requirements.
• Training procedures.
• The need for specially-trained operators for certain activities.
• Emergency procedures, including the location of emergency
equipment.

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Typical Contents of Method Statement
(cont’d)
• The handling and storage of materials and pollution prevention
procedures.
• Temporary works designs.
• Method for safeguarding existing structures.

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Typical Construction Method Statement
Table
Method/
Activity Resource type, Resource Resource Resource
Activity Quantity Approac Duration
No. Capacity, No. Output Required Available
h
[A] [B] [C=A/B] [D] [C/D]
1 Excavate top soil n.e. 250mm 25m3 7 local labour Excavate 2m3/ md 12.5 mds 7mds/day 1.9day
thick using =13 mds Approx.=
hand 2 days
held
tools

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Typical Construction Method Statement
Form

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Generic Method Statement

Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Project-specific Method Statement

Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Project-specific Method Statement

Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Advantages of method statement
• The operative has a greater knowledge of the project requirements
prior to attending the workplace.
• The operative and the employer will have details risk associsted with
the work.
• The operative can carry out the work knowing that the employer has
taken the time to review the workplace and has taken measures to
ensure the work can take place in a safe and efficient manner.
• The employer will have full confidence that the operative has all the
relevant details to allow the work to proceed safely and efficiently.
Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Advantages of method statement (cont’d)
• The client has a greater knowledge of what the contractor/operative
will be doing and what activities, if any, they have to provide
assistance for.
• The issue of an approved project-specific method statement will allow
the employer and contractor to understand the division of
responsibilities between them.
• The operative have to adhere to the method statement and cannot
diverge from the agreed method of working unless another method
statement is issued and approved; this cuts out constructors being
able to cut corners to save time and money. Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Advantages of method statement (cont’d)
• Proper and effective works controls will reduce any abortive works
and will improve teamwork.
• The issuing of method statements will improve operative and
company efficiency, which will have a direct effect on profitability.

Source: Greenhalgh (2013)

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Disadvantages of method statement
• The company would have to train people to become competent at
compiling the statements.
• The usual late order for the works and time restraint associated due
to the late placement of the order will put pressure on the contractor
to try to use a generic method statement.
• The method statement will be commented on, and many require
revising in line with the comments and would require to be reissued.
• The company would have to direct labour to the duty of compiling the
documents, remember if they are to be site specific, a visit to the
workplace will usually be required and this may not have been
included in the budget at the tender stage. Source: Greenhalgh (2013)
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Example 1
 Table 1 : METHOD STATEMENT
Contract : WHOLESALE SHOP AND OFFICE
Client : Inai Kiara
Operation no. Operation Method & Plant Labour Quantity Average rate/Hour Duration/Output
sequence
SUBSTRUCTURE

1 Excavate to reduce level Excess material 2 nos. 2 manpower 15,000m3 1 Bulldozer = 62.5 hrs =8days
removed from site Bulldozers 120m3/hour (
immediately by 100hours = 12days
excavate and push)
lorry to tip 2km 2 nos.
away draglines fitted 2 Bulldozers =
with 2m3 240m3/hour
buckets
Dragline=
2 nos. tipper
trucks 8-10m3 75m3/hour
per dragline
2 draglines =
150m3/hours
Example 2
 Activity Qty Resources type, Method statement Resources Resources required Resources available Duration
capacity, No. productivity rate
(A) (C=A/B) (D)
(B)

Reduced level 15,000m3 2 nos. Bulldozers 2 nos. Bulldozer to 1 Bulldozer = 62.5 machine hrs ( 2 2 nos. Bulldozers 62.5 hrs =8days
excavation excavate and push 120m3/hour ( nos. Bulldozer)
2 manpowers material to spoil heaps excavate and push) 2 nos. draglines fitted 100hours = 12days
adjacent to access 100 hrs ( 2 Draglines) with 2m3 buckets
road 2 Bulldozers =
240m3/hour 2 nos. tipper trucks 8-
10m3 per dragline

2 manpowers

2 nos. draglines fitted 2 nos draglines fitted Dragline=

with 2m3 buckets with 2m3 buckets to
be located on top each 75m3/hour
spoil heap.
2 draglines =
150m3/hours

2 nos. tipper trucks 8- Draglines load 8 tipper 7.2 minutes to

10m3 per dragline trucks, transport, excavate & load one
offload and return. (1) 9m3 truck

Assume 7 minutes for

truck to transport and
return to achieve work
balance :

7/7.2 = 1 truck + 1
truck = 2 trucks
THE END

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