What is Stop Work Authority (SWA)?
Stop Work Authority (SWA) gives every employee and contractor the right, and the responsibility, to stop work when they see unsafe conditions or behaviours that could lead to harm. It is one of the most effective tools for creating a strong safety culture because it empowers people on the ground to act immediately before an accident occurs.
If you are working and you notice a hazard, a shortcut being taken, or simply something that does not feel right, you do not need to wait for management approval. The most important thing you can do is to stop the job.
SWA is not about slowing down work. It is about saving lives, protecting equipment, and preventing damage to the environment. In industries like construction, manufacturing, and especially oil and gas, Stop Work Authority has proven to be one of the most successful approaches to workplace safety in recent decades.
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How is Stop Work Authority used?
Stop Work Authority is usually implemented through a clear six-step process. This ensures that everyone knows what to do, how to respond, and how work can safely resume once risks are addressed.
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Stop – When you or a colleague notice a condition or behaviour that poses imminent danger to people, equipment, or the environment, initiate a stop work action immediately.
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Notify – Inform the affected workers and supervisors about the stop work decision.
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Investigate – The affected team discusses the situation, reviews the risk, and agrees on whether the stop work was justified.
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Correct – Qualified personnel assess the area, correct the unsafe conditions, and verify that risks are fully resolved.
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Resume – Once corrective measures are complete, authorised personnel give approval to safely restart the job.
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Follow-up – The incident is documented, and lessons learned are shared across the organisation to prevent recurrence.
This process protects workers from immediate danger while ensuring that issues are systematically investigated, resolved, and communicated.
When should you use Stop Work Authority?
SWA should be exercised whenever you encounter unsafe conditions, at-risk behaviours, or changing circumstances that may increase risk. Examples include:
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A sudden change in site conditions such as weather, ground stability, or access
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Scope or plan changes without updated safety reviews
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Emergency situations such as fire alarms or equipment failures
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Improper equipment use or faulty machinery
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Lack of adequate knowledge, training, or instructions to complete a task safely
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A near-miss incident that signals underlying risks
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General unsafe conditions such as poor lighting, unsecured work areas, or missing PPE
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At-risk behaviours such as working at heights without fall protection, performing hot work near flammable materials, or bypassing lockout or tagout procedures
If something feels wrong, speak up, own it, and stop the job. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and hesitation could cost lives.
Why Stop Work Authority matters
SWA saves lives, prevents injuries, and protects equipment. Its effectiveness lies in shifting safety responsibility from just supervisors or managers to every worker on site.
Some key reasons why SWA is vital:
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Accident prevention – Hazards are addressed before they cause harm
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Empowered workforce – Workers feel confident to act, knowing they are supported
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Cultural shift – Safety becomes a shared value, not just a policy
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Regulatory compliance – SWA aligns with health and safety expectations, such as the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidance on the right to stop unsafe work
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Continuous improvement – Lessons from stop work actions are shared across teams to strengthen future safety practices
Importantly, SWA relies on a no-blame culture. Workers must never be punished or criticised for calling a stop in good faith, even if it turns out the job was safe. Instead, these actions should be recognised as examples of responsibility and vigilance.
What happens if someone stops your work?
If a co-worker or supervisor uses their Stop Work Authority to stop your task, you must stop immediately. This is not about punishment or criticism, it is about keeping you safe.
Once stopped, the group should review the concern, correct it if necessary, and only resume when it is safe to do so. Trust that the intervention is made in good faith, and remember, you may be the one saved next time. For more information on the similar SLAM technique, check out this article.
Every worker, from senior managers to new starters, can and should use SWA when they see risks.
Unsafe conditions, improper use of equipment, lack of training, changes to work plans, near-miss incidents, and behaviours that threaten imminent danger all justify using SWA.
No. A true SWA system protects workers from retaliation. Exercising SWA in good faith should never result in punishment.
Stop, Notify, Investigate, Correct, Resume, and Follow-up. This ensures hazards are addressed properly and work only resumes when it is safe.
