@Miasma
As I said, most people get it right anyway, but preparing a method statement for the work you intend to carry demonstrates that you know what you are doing and why.

Before all this was needed people would work any way they wanted and most people would be fine, but some people would go about things in a stupid way, and that would lead to injuries and deaths.

Doing risk assessments and showing that you are aware of the need to minimise these risks by whatever means you choose means that people will be safer. Yes it's a hassle, but it really comes down to what price you put on peoples life and welfare?

It also makes stopping cowboys easier as if you turn up to a site and they have no method statements or risk assessments then you can immediately go, if you can't be bothered to do that, you probably aren't bothering to work safely and stop works until you are sure they are.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 13:59, Reply)