Method Statement Example

The Example, Section by Section

Task: suspended mineral-fibre ceiling grid installation, second-floor offices, occupied commercial building.

1. Task Description & Scope

Installation of a suspended mineral-fibre ceiling grid (600×600mm lay-in tiles) to Office Areas 2.01–2.06, Second Floor, Block A. Approx. 480m². Excludes ceiling-void M&E works (by others). Why this passes review: specific rooms, a measurable area, and explicit exclusions a reviewer can check against the programme.

2. Site & Access

Access via Stair Core 2 (goods lift out of service); materials distributed during the agreed 07:30–09:00 delivery window; noise-generating works restricted to 08:00–17:00 next to occupied areas. Why this passes review: real constraints stated plainly — generic documents never contain them.

3. Plant, Equipment & Materials

Mobile aluminium towers (PASMA-trained erectors only, inspected before each shift), podium steps, cordless shot-fired fixing tool with eye and hearing protection mandatory, laser level, hand tools. Why this passes review: each item of access equipment names its competence requirement and inspection regime.

4. Key Hazards & Controls

Working at height — towers erected by PASMA cardholders, guardrails fitted. Shot-fired fixings — trained operatives, room cleared of other trades during firing. Manual handling — two-person lifts for runner bundles over 20kg. Ceiling void services — permit to work before any void entry. Why this passes review: every control references the risk assessment and reappears as an action in the sequence.

5. Safe Sequence of Work (excerpt)

Set out datum → fix perimeter trim (room cleared, PPE worn during firing) → install hangers from tower platforms (guardrails in place, exclusion zone below) → erect main runners and cross tees → obtain M&E sign-off for the void BEFORE tile installation → install tiles from podium steps. Why this passes review: chronological, specific, and every control shows up as an instruction — including the hold point for the M&E trade.

6. Emergency Arrangements

Named first aider, first aid kit location, assembly point, and a stop-work instruction for any incident involving the fixing tool or a fall. Why this passes review: named roles and real locations, not boilerplate.

Five Mistakes That Get Method Statements Rejected

• The trade-generic document – no room numbers, no access route, no site constraints
• Controls that never become actions – a control in the risk assessment that never appears as an instruction in the sequence
• Vague safety language – “care must be taken” tells nobody what to do; state the action
• No hold points for other trades – closing up a ceiling before M&E sign-off is an expensive sequencing mistake
• Briefing skipped – the sign-off record proves the workforce was briefed; auditors ask for it

Use the Structure, Not the Content

Every section of this example works because it reflects one specific site. Copying it verbatim onto a different site produces exactly the generic document principal contractors reject. Follow the structure and replace every site-specific detail with your own — or generate a document built for your site with the RAMS AI method statement generator. See also: what a method statement is and how to write one.