What Is a Method Statement — and Why Every Trade Needs One
A method statement is a written document that describes how work will be carried out safely. Unlike a risk assessment — which focuses on what could go wrong — a method statement focuses on how the work will be done. It's a step-by-step guide to the practical execution of the work, written for anyone who needs to understand what's planned: supervisors, clients, principal contractors, and HSE inspectors.
Under CDM 2015, regulation 15, contractors must ensure that work is planned and carried out with appropriate provisions for health and safety. For high-risk work — working at height, excavation, confined space entry, hot works — a detailed method statement is commonly expected as part of that planning and is often requested during principal contractor review.
The method statement and the risk assessment are complementary documents. The risk assessment tells you what the hazards are, who might be harmed, and what the risk rating is before and after controls. The method statement tells you how the work will actually be done — the sequence of tasks, the equipment to be used, the access arrangements, and the precautions in place at each stage. Both documents are required for most construction projects, and principal contractors will typically ask for both.
A good method statement does something more important than satisfying a paperwork requirement: it makes you think through the work before you start. Writing a method statement that is specific and accurate requires you to plan the work, identify the practical challenges, and decide how to overcome them before you're on site under time pressure. This planning is what prevents incidents.
What Goes in a Method Statement — The Complete Structure
A method statement has a specific structure that covers all the information needed to understand how the work will be carried out safely. Every section has a purpose — missing sections or vague sections are the most common reasons why method statements fail principal contractor review.
The project information section identifies the specific project, client, location, and principal contractor. It includes the document reference number, version number, and date of preparation. It identifies the work to be carried out and its scope — what is included and what is excluded.
The sequence of work section is the heart of the method statement. This section describes, in the correct order, exactly how the job will be done from start to finish. It's not a list of hazards — it's an instruction manual. Each step is described in enough detail that someone who has never done the exact job could follow it safely. The sequence covers from arrival on site and set-up, through each stage of the work, to completion, handover, and demobilisation.
The plant and equipment section names the specific equipment to be used — not just "tools" but the type, model where relevant, and capacity of each item. For example, "a 110V circular saw with 40-tooth carbide-tipped blade" is a specification. "Tools" is not. If MEWPs, scaffolding, or other access equipment are used, they must be named and their dimensions or reach specified.
The materials section describes the materials to be used, their quantities, and any hazardous properties that affect how they are handled or stored. If materials require specific controls — flammable adhesives, toxic substances, heavy items — these must be noted.
The access and egress section describes how workers will reach the work area and leave it safely. It covers the access route from the site entrance, the means of reaching height if applicable, and the route out in an emergency.
The PPE requirements section specifies the PPE required for each task — not a generic list of PPE for the whole job, but the specific PPE for each stage of the work. Different tasks may require different PPE.
The emergency procedures section describes what to do if something goes wrong during the specific work — injury, equipment failure, a fire, a hazardous substance release. The emergency procedures must be specific to the task, not generic statements about calling 999.
The competency requirements section identifies who is qualified to carry out the work. This includes trade qualifications, any specialist training required (IPAF, PASMA, asbestos training, etc.), and any supervision arrangements.
The Sequence of Work Section — Why It Matters Most
The most important section of a method statement is the sequence of work. This is where you describe exactly how the job will be done, in the correct order. It should read like an instruction manual — specific enough that someone who has never done this exact job could follow it safely.
Generic sequence statements are a principal contractor's pet hate. "Set up access equipment, carry out works, make good" is not a sequence. It tells the reader nothing about what access equipment, what works, or what "making good" means.
For example, for a first-fix electrical job in a new-build domestic property, a proper sequence might read: first, confirm the consumer unit location and all circuit routes from the architectural and electrical drawings; second, mark all cable routes on walls and ceilings using a pencil marker before fixing any supports; third, install cable support systems — conduit, trunking, or cable clips — at maximum 450mm intervals for horizontal runs and 900mm for vertical runs; fourth, run cables from the consumer unit location to each outlet, switch, and luminaire position; fifth, secure cables to supports using appropriate cable ties; sixth, install back boxes for all sockets, switches, and accessories; seventh, terminate cable ends at the consumer unit end only — do not terminate at accessories until second fix; eighth, test all circuits for continuity and insulation resistance before covering cables; ninth, make good any chases or penetrations made during first fix.
Each step is specific and can be verified. The principal contractor reading this sequence can see exactly what will be done and can assess whether the method is safe. The electrician reading it has a clear instruction that reduces the chance of steps being missed.
Method Statement vs Risk Assessment — Understanding the Relationship
The risk assessment and method statement are related but distinct documents. Understanding the difference — and how they relate to each other — is essential for writing both correctly.
The risk assessment is about hazards. It identifies what could go wrong: the specific hazards of the work, who might be harmed, the initial risk rating before controls, the controls that will reduce the risk, and the residual risk rating after controls are applied. The risk assessment follows the 5×5 Likelihood × Severity matrix and produces a numerical risk rating for each hazard.
The method statement is about method. It describes how the work will be done — the practical steps, the equipment, the access arrangements, the precautions. The method statement builds on the risk assessment by putting the controls into a practical context.
A common mistake is to write a method statement that doubles as a risk assessment — listing hazards as steps in the sequence, or writing the risk assessment as if it were a method statement. These documents serve different purposes and should be written separately, even if they are submitted together.
The two documents should cross-reference each other. The risk assessment should reference the method statement for the sequence of work. The method statement should reference the risk assessment for the hazard controls. This cross-referencing makes it clear that both documents have been prepared together and that the controls in the risk assessment are implemented through the method.
Common Method Statement Mistakes
Some method statement mistakes are so common that principal contractors expect to see them in almost every submission from a tradesperson who has not used a proper template.
The first mistake is writing the method statement as a checklist. A method statement is not a list of "things to remember" or "PPE to wear." It is a structured narrative document that describes the sequence of work.
The second mistake is no step-by-step sequence. The sequence of work must be a genuine sequence — a numbered list of steps in the correct order. Vague headings like "set up," "carry out works," and "make good" are not a sequence.
The third mistake is generic equipment lists. Naming "tools" instead of specific equipment tells the principal contractor nothing. The method statement should identify the specific type and capacity of the equipment to be used.
The fourth mistake is missing emergency procedures. The method statement must describe what to do if something goes wrong during this specific work. Generic statements like "in case of emergency, follow site procedures" are not adequate.
The fifth mistake is no competency evidence. The method statement must identify who is qualified to carry out the work, with references to their trade qualifications or specialist training.
The sixth mistake is no worker consultation note. CDM 2015 requires that workers are consulted in preparing the construction phase plan and method statements. The method statement should note how workers were involved in its preparation.
Who Can Prepare a Method Statement
A method statement must be prepared by a competent person — someone with the knowledge, skill, and experience to plan the work safely. The competent person must understand the work to be carried out, the hazards associated with it, the legal requirements that apply, and how to control those hazards.
For most routine construction work, a competent tradesperson with appropriate trade qualifications and relevant experience can prepare a method statement. For higher-risk work — work involving significant working at height, excavation, confined space entry, or asbestos — the method statement should be prepared by someone with specific experience of that type of work.
The method statement must be signed and dated by the preparer. The signature confirms that the preparer takes responsibility for the method as described. A method statement without a signature is not a valid document.
Method Statements for Specialist Trades
Different trades have different method statement requirements. A method statement for a specialist trade must address the specific hazards and methods of that trade — not generic construction hazards that may not be relevant.
For electrical work, the method statement must address the safe isolation procedure for all circuits to be worked on, confirm that dead working is the default method, describe the procedure for live testing if live work is required, identify all sources of energy that could energise the work area, and describe the lock-out tag-out procedure that will prevent re-energisation during work.
For plumbing and heating work, the method statement must address the isolation of water, gas, and heating systems before work begins, confirm that gas pipework has been purged and tested before use, describe the procedure for working with heat exchangers, boilers, and other plant, and address the manual handling of heavy items like cylinders, boilers, and radiators.
For carpentry and joinery work, the method statement must address the sequence of first fix and second fix work, identify the access equipment to be used for height work, describe the dust control measures for cutting and sanding, and address the manual handling of sheet materials, long lengths of timber, and heavy doors.
How to Submit a Method Statement to a Principal Contractor
The method statement is usually submitted as part of the RAMS package — alongside the risk assessment and any other supporting documents. The submission should be accompanied by a brief covering note identifying the project, the work to be carried out, and the documents enclosed.
The method statement should be submitted sufficiently in advance of the work starting to allow the principal contractor time to review it. A minimum of 48 hours is reasonable for straightforward work. For complex high-risk work, more time may be needed — the principal contractor may need to consult with the client, the principal designer, or specialist advisors before approving the method statement.
If the principal contractor returns the method statement for revision, treat the feedback seriously. The principal contractor is identifying gaps in the planning — these gaps represent real hazards that have not been adequately addressed. Revise the method statement to address the specific points raised, resubmit, and do not start work until the revised method statement has been approved.
What Principals Look For in a Method Statement Review
When a principal contractor reviews a method statement, they are specifically checking: whether the task description is specific to this project and this site, whether the sequence of work is a genuine step-by-step description — not a list of generic headings, whether the plant and equipment section names specific equipment — not just "tools," whether the emergency procedures are specific to the task, whether competence evidence is provided — named persons with named qualifications, and whether the document is signed and dated by a competent person.
A method statement that scores well on all of these points is a method statement that will pass review. It is a method statement that demonstrates genuine planning — not a template that was filled in without thought. And it is a method statement that will protect the worker, the contractor, and the principal contractor if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between a risk assessment and a method statement? A: The risk assessment is about hazards — what could go wrong, who might be harmed, the risk rating before and after controls. It follows a 5×5 Likelihood × Severity matrix and produces numerical ratings. The method statement is about method — how the work will actually be done, the practical steps, the equipment, the access arrangements, the precautions. The method statement builds on the risk assessment by putting the controls into a practical context. They are different documents that should be prepared separately and cross-referenced.
Q: How detailed does the sequence of work section need to be? A: Detailed enough that someone who has never done this exact job could follow it safely. Each step should be specific and verifiable. "Set up access equipment, carry out works, make good" tells the reader nothing. The correct version describes what access equipment, what works, what "making good" means, and in what order. Think of it as an instruction manual, not a list of headings.
Q: Who can sign off a method statement? A: A competent person — someone with the knowledge, skill, and experience to plan the work safely. They must understand the work, the hazards, the legal requirements, and how to control those hazards. For routine construction work, a competent tradesperson with appropriate trade qualifications and relevant experience can prepare and sign a method statement. For higher-risk work, someone with specific experience of that type of work is needed. The signature confirms the preparer takes responsibility for the method described.