What Is a Method Statement?

A method statement (MS) is a document that describes, step by step, how a specific construction activity will be carried out safely and to specification. It is both a planning document and a safety document.

Typical contents:

• Scope — what activity is being described and where
• Reference documents — design drawings, specifications, standards
• Sequence of operations — step-by-step description of the work
• Resources — plant, equipment, materials, personnel required
• Risk assessment — hazards identified and control measures for each
• Hold points — where work stops for inspection before proceeding
• Environmental controls — dust, noise, runoff, waste management
• Emergency procedures — what to do if something goes wrong

Why it matters: Writing a method statement forces the team to think through the work before starting. The act of writing it often surfaces problems — missing equipment, clashing operations, untested assumptions.

On large projects, method statements require formal approval from the client's engineer before work begins. This is a contractual checkpoint, not just a formality.

Common mistake: Writing the method statement after the work is done, or copying it from another project without updating details. This defeats the purpose entirely.