How to Write a Method Statement for Trade Work UK (2026)

If you want to win commercial contracts, work on managed sites, or bid for public sector work, you'll almost certainly be asked for a method statement. Many tradespeople have lost contracts not because their price was wrong, but because they couldn't submit the required paperwork. This guide covers what a method statement is, how it differs from a risk assessment, what to include, and how to write one that passes scrutiny.

What is a method statement?

A method statement (also called a safe system of work or SSOW) is a document that describes how a specific job will be carried out safely. It explains the sequence of work, the people involved, the equipment that will be used, and the controls that will be in place to protect workers and others affected by the work.

Unlike a risk assessment — which identifies hazards and their likelihood — a method statement describes the specific steps that will be taken. They are often submitted together as a combined RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) document.

When do you need a method statement?

Method statements are required in a range of commercial scenarios:

• Working on a construction site (CDM 2015 regulations may require a site-specific SSOW)
• Working in premises with residents, tenants or members of the public present
• High-risk activities: working at height, confined spaces, electrical work near live services, gas work, asbestos removal
• Applying for accreditation or approved contractor status (Constructionline, CHAS, SafeContractor)
• Tendering for public sector contracts (NHS, local authorities, housing associations)
• Commercial property management companies who require contractor documentation before issuing a purchase order

For domestic work with individual homeowners, you're rarely asked for a formal method statement — though having templates ready makes you look professional and protects you if an incident occurs.

Method statement vs risk assessment — the difference

• Risk assessment: identifies what could go wrong (hazards), who might be harmed, and what controls reduce the risk. The output is a list of hazards with likelihood ratings and control measures.
• Method statement: describes how the work will actually be carried out, step by step, with safety controls built into each stage. It's the practical "how we'll do it" document.

The two documents complement each other. A risk assessment identifies the hazard "working at height — risk of fall"; the method statement describes the specific controls: "scaffold will be erected by a competent contractor, all workers will wear harnesses, ladder access points will be kept clear."

What to include in a method statement

A well-structured method statement covers these sections:

1. Job details and scope
   Project name, location, client, contractor details, date, scope of work (exactly what you are doing and what is out of scope).
2. Personnel
   Names or roles of everyone who will carry out the work. Relevant qualifications: Gas Safe registration numbers, NICEIC approval numbers, IPAF licence numbers, PASMA certificates, first aid qualifications.
3. Plant, equipment and materials
   List the key tools, equipment and materials you will use. For plant (scaffolding, MEWP, power tools), include maintenance and inspection status.
4. Sequence of work
   Step-by-step description of how the work will be carried out. This is the core of the method statement. Be specific: "Step 1: Isolate electrical supply at the consumer unit and test for dead with a voltage indicator. Step 2: ..."
5. Safety controls for each stage
   Against each step, describe what control measures are in place. PPE requirements, access restrictions, permits to work, isolation procedures, hot work precautions, emergency procedures.
6. Emergency procedures
   What happens if something goes wrong. Emergency contact numbers, assembly points, nearest A&E, first aider on site.
7. Environmental controls
   How you will manage waste, prevent pollution, protect adjacent areas. Relevant for drainage work, refurbishment projects, or any work near watercourses.
8. Authorisation
   Sign-off by a competent person. This signals that the method statement is a live document, not a generic template that hasn't been reviewed for the specific job.

Common mistakes in trade method statements

• Using a generic template unchanged: clients can spot a template that hasn't been adapted for the specific job. Site-specific details (address, specific hazards present, client's emergency procedures) should always be included.
• Vague sequences: "Work will be carried out safely" is not a step. Describe what you will physically do, in what order.
• Missing qualifications: if your Gas Safe number, NICEIC approval or IPAF licence isn't in the document, you may fail a contractor pre-qualification check even if you hold the qualification.
• Outdated documents: some companies reject method statements that aren't dated within the last 12 months. Keep your template updated and re-date it for each project.
• No emergency procedures: omitting first aid provision, emergency contact numbers, and the nearest hospital is a common oversight that makes otherwise strong method statements look unprofessional.

A simple method statement template structure

For most standard trade jobs (electrical installation, plumbing work, roofing, etc.), your method statement should run to 2-4 pages. Longer is not necessarily better — a clear, specific 3-page document is better than a padded 10-page one.

Keep separate templates for your most common commercial job types:

• Electrical installation and testing
• Gas installation and servicing
• Working at height
• Confined space entry (drainage, boiler room work)
• Groundwork and excavation

Each template should be customised for each project — filling in the specific location, client, personnel and any site-specific hazards identified during a site visit.

Storing and sharing method statements

Method statements submitted for a project should be stored against the job record. If there's an incident later, you need to be able to demonstrate that an approved method statement existed and was followed. Trade2Base's document storage lets you attach RAMS documents, certificates and permits to specific jobs — so your compliance documentation is always linked to the relevant work.