Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS)

About this document

What it’s for

A combined risk assessment and method statement for a specific construction activity. The risk assessment identifies what could cause harm and how serious it is; the method statement explains, step by step, how the job will be done safely. Main contractors and commercial clients will usually ask to see RAMS before you start.

When to use it

Before starting any higher-risk task – for example roofing, demolition, groundworks, steel installation, scaffolding, stripping out, working near live services
When a main contractor or client asks for RAMS as a condition of starting work
Whenever the method, team or site conditions change

What’s inside

The document is laid out in the sections below. Each one comes with a plain-English guidance note explaining what it does and what to change.

Part A – Task and project details
Part B – Risk assessment
How the risks are scored
Hazards, controls and ratings
C1. Scope of work
C2. Pre-start checks
C3. Sequence of work
C4. Plant, equipment and tools
C5. Materials and hazardous substances
C6. Personal protective equipment
C7. Supervision, competence and communication
C8. Protection of the public, occupiers and the environment
C9. Emergency arrangements
Part D – Review and change control
Part E – Briefing and acceptance record
Approval

How to complete it

Fill in the task details in Part A
Score each hazard before and after controls using the 5 x 5 matrix
Write the method in Part C in the order the work will actually be done
Brief the RAMS to everyone doing the task and get them to sign Part E

Key points to check

The worked examples in Part B are a starting point – delete those that do not apply and add the hazards for your task
If the residual risk is still high (12 or more), do not start – find a safer method

Our templates are professionally structured starting points for UK businesses, not legal advice. For anything complex, unusual or high-value, have your final version checked by a solicitor.

Included in the pack

Construction & trades

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Editable Microsoft Word files

Guidance notes in every document

Written for UK businesses

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Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS)

What it’s for

When to use it

What’s inside

How to complete it

Key points to check

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