“What’s the difference between a Risk Assessment, a Method Statement, and a Safe System of Work – and do I need all of them?”

As health and safety consultants, a common question we are asked is: 

 

 

It’s a great question – and getting this right is crucial to keeping your teams safe, legally compliant, and operations running smoothly. Let’s break it down in a clear and practical way. 

Risk Assessment 

This is the foundation of all workplace safety. 

A Risk Assessment identifies: 

• What could go wrong (the hazards) 

• Who might be harmed and how 

• What you're already doing to control the risks 

• What further action you may need to take 

 

 

Yes – if you’re an employer or in control of a workplace, the law requires you to assess and manage health and safety risks. For businesses with 5 or more employees, the activities that have significant risk must be recorded. 

We suggest you list down the things you do as a business and then decide which takes have significant risk. When doing the risk assessment involve the people doing the work. They usually know most of the hazards and how they should be controlled.. 

 

 

This is your “how-to” for carrying out a task safely. 

A Method Statement outlines: 

 

• The steps involved in a specific job or activity 

• The precautions and control measures required 

• Who will be doing what, and when 

 

Think of it as a detailed set of instructions that align with your risk assessment – especially important for high-risk tasks like working at height, hot works, or demolition. 

 

 

These are not legally required for all tasks, but often requested by clients, contractors, or principal designers – and its good practice for complex or high-risk work. 

 

 

This is the bigger picture – a structured approach for safely carrying out routine tasks. 

A Safe System of Work is: 

 

• A formal procedure designed from the risk assessment 

• A combination of training, procedures, PPE, supervision, and monitoring 

• A way to ensure ongoing, consistent safety 

 

It’s your safety culture in action – applied to everything from machine use to manual handling. 

 

 

Yes – especially where risks can't be eliminated entirely. The law expects you to implement and maintain safe systems of work to protect your employees. 

 

 

Operating a metal-cutting bandsaw in a factory 

 

Example of a Safe System of Work (SSoW) 

 

This is your standard safety procedure for using any bandsawin the factory, including: 

 

• Only trained and authorised staff may operate the bandsaw. 

• Machine guards must be in place at all times. 

• PPE (e.g. safety glasses, gloves, ear protection) must be worn. 

• Workpiece must be clamped securely before cutting. 

• Hands must be kept clear of the blade. 

• Emergency stop button must be checked before use. 

• Daily pre-use checks must be completed and logged. 

These are rules that apply to all bandsaw work, regardless of the material or job. 

 

 

Example of a Method Statement 

 

This is the specific plan for a particular job using the bandsaw: 

 

• Job: Cutting 50 steel rods to 300mm length for a machine assembly. 

• Operator: John Smith (trained and certified). 

• Location: Bay 3, Bandsaw #2. 

• Procedure: 

 

 

 

 

Risk Assessment : What it does? It Identifies hazards and control measures. Is it Legally Required? Yes 

Method Statement: What it does? Explains how to do a task safely. Is it Legally required? Sometimes 

Safe System of Work: What it does? It is a ramework for safe, routine working. Is it Legally required? Yes (implied) 

 

 

We’re here to help. Whether you need: 

• A one-off site-specific risk assessment 

• A full suite of method statements 

• Help embedding safe systems into your daily operations 

…we’ve got you covered. 

 

Feel free to get in touch with any questions – or to book a no-obligation safety check. Leanne on 07709 675925, Jane on 07743 198414 or Tracey on 07872 589286. Alternatively, you can drop us a message at hello@influentialmg.com.