Risk Assessment & Method Statement
RAMS combine risk assessment with a clear method statement. They help explain the hazards, control measures, safe working sequence, PPE, emergency arrangements and responsibilities for specific work activities.
Risk Assessment
Identifies hazards, who may be harmed, risk levels and control measures needed before work begins.
Method Statement
Explains the safe sequence of work, equipment, supervision, access, exclusion zones and precautions.
PPE & Equipment
Confirms required protective equipment, tools, plant, access equipment and inspection requirements.
Review
RAMS are reviewed when the task, site conditions, people, equipment or risks change.
Purpose Of RAMS
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It is a combined safety document used to plan work, identify hazards, explain control measures and describe the safe method for carrying out a task.
RAMS are particularly useful for construction, refurbishment, groundworks, drainage, demolition, spray painting, commercial cleaning and other activities where hazards must be controlled before and during the work.
- Identify hazards connected with the task and work area.
- Assess who may be harmed and how.
- Confirm suitable control measures.
- Explain the step-by-step safe working method.
- Set out PPE, tools, plant and equipment requirements.
- Confirm supervision, emergency and communication arrangements.
- Help workers understand exactly how the work should be carried out.
When RAMS Are Required
RAMS may be required where work involves higher risk, complex tasks, multiple trades, client requirements, site rules or activities that need a clearly documented safe system of work.
RAMS may be prepared for:
Work At Height
Work involving ladders, towers, platforms, MEWPs, edges or overhead tasks.
Excavations
Groundworks, trenches, drainage, underground services and unstable ground.
Demolition
Soft strip, internal demolition, falling materials, debris and site clearance.
COSHH Risks
Paints, solvents, adhesives, cleaning chemicals, spray mist, dust and fumes.
Plant & Equipment
Powered tools, excavators, compactors, access equipment and specialist tools.
Client Requirement
Sites where the client, principal contractor or site manager requests RAMS.
What Our RAMS May Include
The contents of RAMS depend on the task, location, risks and client requirements. A project-specific RAMS document may include the following information:
| RAMS section | What it explains |
|---|---|
| Project details | Project name, site address, client, date, responsible person and scope of works. |
| Task description | The specific activity covered by the RAMS and the area where it will take place. |
| Risk assessment | Hazards, persons at risk, existing controls, additional controls and residual risk. |
| Method statement | Step-by-step safe sequence of work and key precautions. |
| PPE requirements | Required protective equipment such as safety boots, gloves, eye protection and RPE. |
| Tools and equipment | Equipment required, inspection requirements and restrictions on use. |
| Access and egress | How workers, materials, tools and waste will safely access and leave the work area. |
| Emergency arrangements | First aid, fire, evacuation, spill response, emergency contact and incident reporting. |
| Briefing record | Confirmation that workers have read, understood and agreed to follow the RAMS. |
Our RAMS Process
We follow a practical RAMS process to make sure the document reflects the actual work and can be understood by those carrying it out.
Gather Information
Review project details, drawings, site access, known hazards, client requirements and work scope.
Assess Risks
Identify hazards, persons at risk, current controls and further controls needed.
Plan Method
Confirm the safe work sequence, equipment, PPE, exclusion zones and supervision requirements.
Brief Workers
Make sure workers understand the risks, controls and method before starting the task.
Review On Site
Review RAMS if the work changes, conditions change or new hazards are identified.
Risk Assessment Section
The risk assessment part of RAMS identifies hazards and confirms how risks will be controlled. It should be specific to the task and not simply copied from another project without review.
The risk assessment section may consider:
- Task-specific hazards.
- Who may be harmed, including workers, visitors, other trades and the public.
- Existing control measures already in place.
- Additional controls required before work starts.
- PPE and equipment requirements.
- Residual risk after controls have been applied.
- Person responsible for implementing controls.
Method Statement Section
The method statement explains how the work will be carried out safely and in what order. It should be written clearly so the people doing the work understand the sequence, precautions and limits of the task.
A method statement may include:
Work Sequence
Step-by-step explanation of how the task will be started, controlled and completed.
Access & Egress
Safe access routes for workers, tools, materials, plant, waste and deliveries.
Exclusion Zones
Barriers, signage or controls to keep unauthorised persons away from the work area.
Supervision
Who is responsible for monitoring the work and checking controls are followed.
Waste Management
How waste, debris, packaging or hazardous materials will be controlled and removed.
Emergency Actions
What workers should do in case of injury, fire, spill, unsafe condition or emergency.
HSE notes that method statements are an effective way to give employees information about how work is expected to be carried out and what precautions should be taken.
RAMS Briefing & Communication
RAMS are only useful if workers understand them. Workers should be briefed before starting the relevant task and should have the opportunity to ask questions.
A RAMS briefing may include:
- Summary of the work activity and location.
- Key hazards and who may be affected.
- Required PPE and equipment.
- Safe work sequence and restrictions.
- Exclusion zones, signage, access and egress routes.
- Emergency arrangements and first aid information.
- Stop work instruction if conditions change or controls are missing.
- Confirmation that workers understand and agree to follow the RAMS.
Examples Of Activities That May Need RAMS
The exact RAMS required will depend on the project. Examples below show the type of activities where RAMS may be requested or prepared.
Painting & Decorating
- Work at height from steps or towers
- Surface sanding and dust control
- Paints, primers and COSHH controls
- Protection of occupied areas
- Ventilation and drying arrangements
Spray Painting
- Spray area preparation
- Masking and overspray control
- Ventilation and exclusion zones
- Respiratory protection
- Fire and ignition source control
Refurbishments
- Strip-out and preparation
- Coordination with other trades
- Dust, waste and sharp materials
- Manual handling of materials
- Occupied premises controls
Groundworks
- Excavation and trench safety
- Underground service checks
- Plant and vehicle movement
- Concrete and cement controls
- Weather and unstable ground
Drainage
- Excavation for pipes and chambers
- Contaminated water or waste
- Manual handling of chambers
- Backfilling and reinstatement
- Restricted access controls
Demolition & Strip-Out
- Soft strip sequence
- Falling materials and debris
- Exclusion zones and waste removal
- Dust suppression
- Structural stability checks
Kitchen Installation
- Handling kitchen units and worktops
- Cutting and drilling
- Sharp tools and edges
- Electrical/plumbing interface
- Final fit and safe housekeeping
Commercial Cleaning
- Wet floors and slip prevention
- Cleaning chemicals and COSHH
- Waste handling
- Occupied premises controls
- After-builders cleaning dust
PPE, Tools And Equipment
RAMS may specify the personal protective equipment, tools and equipment needed for the task. Workers must use equipment safely and report defects immediately.
Head Protection
Hard hats where required by site rules or task risk.
Eye Protection
Safety glasses or goggles for dust, debris, splashes and cutting.
Gloves
Suitable gloves for sharp edges, chemicals, handling and materials.
Safety Boots
Protective footwear suitable for construction and site conditions.
Hi-Vis
High visibility clothing where vehicles, plant or site rules apply.
Respiratory Protection
RPE for dust, fumes, spray mist or substance exposure where required.
RAMS may also identify tools, access equipment, plant, barriers, signage, dust extraction, spill kits, fire extinguishers or waste containers required for the work.
Emergency Arrangements
RAMS should identify emergency arrangements relevant to the site and task. These arrangements may be based on client site rules, principal contractor arrangements or Domiter Building Solutionsā own procedures.
First Aid
Identify first aid location, first aider or emergency first aid arrangements.
Fire
Identify escape routes, assembly point, fire risks and emergency actions.
Spill Response
Confirm how spills involving paint, fuel, oil or chemicals will be contained.
Asbestos / Unknown Materials
Stop work if suspected asbestos or unknown hazardous materials are discovered.
Services Strike
Stop work and follow emergency procedure if gas, electricity, water or other services are struck.
Emergency Contact
Workers should know the exact site address and who to contact in an emergency.
Stop Work Procedure
Any worker may stop work if they believe the task cannot be carried out safely. Work should not continue until the issue is assessed and suitable controls are confirmed.
Work should stop immediately if:
- The site conditions do not match the RAMS.
- Required PPE, equipment or controls are missing.
- Unexpected hazards are discovered.
- Asbestos, contamination or unknown hazardous materials are suspected.
- Structural instability, collapse risk or unsafe access is identified.
- Live services, buried cables or unsafe electrical conditions are found.
- Weather conditions make external work unsafe.
- A worker is unsure about the method or control measures.
Records, Sign-Off And Review
RAMS may be issued, reviewed and signed off before work starts. A briefing record may be used to confirm that workers have received, understood and agreed to follow the RAMS.
| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| RAMS document | Records hazards, controls, method, PPE and emergency arrangements. |
| Briefing record | Confirms workers have been briefed and understand the requirements. |
| Review record | Shows when RAMS were reviewed after a change, issue or new hazard. |
| Site amendments | Records changes to method, controls, access, PPE or supervision. |
| Incident / near miss record | Supports investigation and improvement where something goes wrong. |
RAMS should be reviewed if work changes, site conditions change, new hazards are found, equipment changes, an incident occurs or the original method is no longer suitable.
Responsibilities
Clear responsibilities help make sure RAMS are prepared, communicated and followed.
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Director / Responsible Person | Ensure RAMS arrangements are suitable for the business, reviewed when required and supported by appropriate resources. |
| Site Supervisor / Lead Worker | Brief workers, check site conditions, monitor work, confirm controls are followed and stop work where conditions become unsafe. |
| Workers | Read and follow RAMS, use PPE, follow safe methods, report hazards and stop work if controls are missing or conditions change. |
| Subcontractors | Provide competent workers, follow RAMS and site rules, supply their own RAMS where required and cooperate with safety arrangements. |
| Clients / Site Controllers | Provide site information, known hazards, access details, induction requirements, site rules and cooperation with safe working arrangements. |
RAMS Contact
For project-specific RAMS, method statements, risk assessments or site safety documentation, please contact Domiter Building Solutions.
17 Firbeck Gardens,
Crewe, CW2 8UP,
United Kingdom
Need RAMS For Your Project?
Contact our team to discuss the project scope, site hazards, method statement requirements, risk controls and documentation.
