A structural design technique called the Working Stress Method (WSM) keeps material stresses below permissible bounds when under use to guarantee worker safety. Rather of emphasising high load circumstances, it concentrates on the service loads that structures may encounter during their operation.

 The allowed stress levels in materials are determined by combining the applied loads with safety factors in WSM to make sure the materials do not exceed their yield strength. 

The design of beams, columns, and other structural components frequently uses this technique. It is simple, but it does not take into consideration dynamic loads or any non-linear behavior of the material, therefore it is not as appropriate for structures that are exposed to strong variable forces. WSM prioritizes safety overall by using conservative stress limits.