FROM THE FIELD: PREET AMIN
Safe work procedures (SWPs) are meant to help workers do their jobs safely. When done well, they explain the task, the hazards, and how to control those hazards. However, what we often see in the field is that many SWPs are not being used as intended.
In some cases, SWPs are created using:
- Old company templates
- Online examples
- Copy‑and‑paste documents
- AI‑generated content
While these tools can save time, problems occur when the person writing the SWP:
- Does not perform the task
- Has not watched the work being done
- Has not spoken with the workers who do the job
This can lead to SWPs that look good on paper but do not match real work conditions.
Generic procedures create real risks
Many jobs are:
- Long and done in stages
- Performed in changing environments
- Done using different tools or equipment
- Affected by weather, site layout, or other crews
When an SWP is too general, it may miss:
- Important task steps
- Job‑specific hazards
- Realistic controls workers actually use
These gaps increase the risk of injury and also increase the chance of:
- Improvement orders
- Stop work orders
Outdated SWPs are another common issue
We often see SWPs that:
- Have templates that are more than five years old
- Do not match current processes
- Do not reflect updated regulations
Safe work procedures are living documents. They should be reviewed at least every three years, and sooner if:
- The task changes
- New equipment is introduced
- A near miss or incident occurs
- Regulations are updated
Worker and committee involvement matters
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health regulations require workers to be involved in developing and reviewing SWPs. How this looks may vary depending on company size:
- Small companies or single worker operations may involve the worker directly
- Larger companies should involve both workers and the Workplace Safety and Health Committee (WSHC) or Safety representative
Workers and WSHC members help:
- Identify real hazards
- Confirm task steps are accurate
- Ensure controls are practical
- Improve acceptance and use of SWPs
Moving forward: How to bridge the ap
- Watch the job before writing the SWP
- Involve workers who do the task
- Break long tasks into clear steps
- Identify hazards at each step
- Test the procedure in the field
- Schedule regular reviews
When SWPs are built with right people, and kept up to date, they become tools that protect workers, not just documents kept for compliance.
