Stop work authoritySWA

Stop Work Authority is a cornerstone of mature safety culture. It empowers any worker — employee, contractor, or visitor — to halt work when they observe a condition or behaviour that could cause serious injury, illness, or environmental damage. Effective SWA programs include: clear policy communication, training for all personnel, non-retaliation provisions, a standardised process for resolving the stop (who assesses, who decides, who restarts), and tracking of stop-work events as a positive leading indicator. A high rate of stop-work events signals a healthy reporting culture, not a failing one.