Home / Insights / Blog / Understanding RAMS: What are Method Statements and Risk Assessments? Understanding RAMS: What are Method Statements and Risk Assessments? The Health and Safety Executive reports that the construction industry experiences a fatal injury rate five times higher than other sectors. Method statements and risk assessments are critical tools in mitigating workplace hazards. Collectively, these documents constitute RAMS, forming the foundation of construction safety planning. RAMS Definition RAMS, or Risk Assessment Method Statement, refers to essential health and safety documentation that identifies, evaluates, and mitigates hazards, providing detailed steps to ensure the safe execution of construction activities. Unlike standard industry abbreviations, RAMS integrates two interrelated documents, each serving a specific function in workplace and construction project safety. Risk assessments spot and measure potential site hazards. Method statements, often termed “Safe Systems of Work”, follow on from Construction Risk Assessments with precise, step-by-step guidance for safe task completion. What RAMS matter on construction sites? Recognised as one of the UK’s most hazardous industries, construction reports significant injury and fatality rates. Risk Assessments and Method Statements directly address these challenges by promoting systematic planning and clear communication to reduce risks and prioritise safety. RAMS documents deliver several key benefits: Early risk identification across project scope Targeted control measures for risk reduction Clear safety guidelines for work procedures Full regulatory compliance measures Vital reference during incident investigations Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) are commonly required during the tendering process to demonstrate a contractor’s dedication to health and safety standards. Main contractors and public sector clients often assess subcontractors’ and suppliers’ RAMS to ensure consistent safety practices across projects and to uphold effective construction risk management. In the current construction tendering process, RAMS are required to demonstrate a commitment to safety. Main contractors and public sector clients assess subcontractors’ and suppliers’ RAMS to ensure consistent safety standards across projects and to uphold effective construction risk management. Effective RAMS practices lead to tangible benefits, including enhanced productivity, fewer absences, reduced penalty risks, and an improved business reputation. Clear directives within Risk Assessment Method Statements help prevent misunderstandings that could result in accidents or delays, benefiting all stakeholders in the construction supply chain. Key components of effective RAMS documents Thorough Risk Assessment: Comprehensive identification and evaluation of potential hazards and their impacts associated with the task. Detailed Task Description: Specifics of the task, including site conditions, required equipment, and necessary materials. Control Measures: Clearly defined steps to mitigate identified risks, ensuring safety protocols are in place. Step by Step Work Sequence: A detailed, chronological breakdown of the task with clearly assigned responsibilities. Emergency Procedures: Established protocols for responding to incidents, including emergency contacts and evacuation plans. Monitoring and Review Protocols: Processes for ongoing oversight, regular assessment, and updating of the RAMS as necessary. Signatures and Acceptance: Formal acknowledgement by all relevant parties, confirming understanding and agreement with the outlined procedures. Incorporating these elements ensures that RAMS document is comprehensive, facilitating effective communication and implementation of safety measures on-site. Construction RAMS also need to include visual aids where relevant such as site layouts, hazard maps, equipment setup guides. PPE requirements, identified through risk assessment, must also feature prominently. RAMS documents need to be actively updated throughout projects to reflect any changes in work methods, equipment specifications or training needs. Understanding Risk Assessments: The Foundation of Safety Risk assessments stand central to construction site safety, when properly implemented they act to spot hazards before they cause harm, safeguarding everyone onsite through proactive planning. The 5-step risk assessment process Identify hazards – Site inspections must spot potential dangers – these are things that may cause harm to employees, contractors, visitors or members of the public Determine who might be harmed and how – Each hazard or risk should be listed alongside who is at risk from each hazard identified Evaluate risks and implement controls – Measure likelihood and impact, then set proper and proportional control measures Record your findings – Document risks and controls – required by law for firms with five-plus staff, this helps future proof your site from upcoming risk as well as protecting your business from legal liability Review regularly – Update assessments when site conditions or activities shift Legal requirements for risk assessments UK law mandates risk assessments through the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Construction demands both general safety assessments and specific evaluations for: Work at height COSHH substances Manual handling Noise exposure Vibration risks Lead exposure Companies employing five or more staff must document all significant findings. These records prove compliance while communicating vital safety information across project teams. Learn more about risk assessments in the construction industry: Method Statements: Turning Safety Plans into Action Method statements act as practical safety guides on construction sites, linking risk assessment outcomes to actual task execution and providing structured guidance for effective construction risk management. What makes a good method statement? Some key features to consider putting into a method statement are those that enhance clarity, ensure site-specific relevance, and provide practical support for workers on the ground. Method statements should detail precise work procedures in a logical order, ensuring every step is easy to follow. HSE guidance highlights the value of method statements specifically for “higher-risk complex or unusual work” – steel erection, demolition, or hazardous substance handling. A high-quality method statement must be tailored to the specific site conditions. Generic or vague documents often face rejection due to their failure to address the unique challenges of individual projects. Site-specific details, such as environmental hazards, equipment usage, and emergency procedures, provide a practical framework that aligns with the realities of the work environment. Written in plain English and focuses on clarity. This ensures that all workers, regardless of their technical background, can quickly understand and apply the instructions. Overly complex language or excessive technical jargon can create confusion, increasing the risk of errors and accidents. Includes visual aids including diagrams, site layouts, equipment setup guides. Visual references simplify complex processes and offer a quick point of reference for workers in the field. These aids not only improve understanding but also reinforce critical steps, helping to prevent mistakes. Ultimately, the better the quality of the method statement, the smoother the transition from paper to practice. A clear, detailed, and site-specific method statement supports effective risk mitigation by aligning safety procedures with real site conditions, ensuring that workers are equipped to carry out their tasks safely and efficiently. When method statements are legally required Legal requirements vary, and whilst method statements are not explicitly required by law, certain high-risk work demands written method statements to comply with broader legal obligations. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require that demolition and dismantling work be planned and carried out by competent people to avoid unplanned structural collapse with arrangements recorded in writing. Therefore, method statements serve as documented safe systems of work, supporting compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. For instance, activities such as demolition, dismantling, and structural alterations require meticulously documented plans before work commences. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) emphasises that all such operations must be “carefully planned and carried out by competent practitioners,” with arrangements recorded in writing prior to initiation. Method statements prove essential for: Confined space operations Height-related tasks Dangerous material handling Steel framework assembly Overhead power line work Road and rail interface projects Method statements serve as documented safe systems of work, supporting compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which outlines the general duties of employers to ensure workplace safety. In modern construction practices, method statements have become integral to the tendering process. Principal contractors often require these documents before granting site access, underscoring their importance in achieving contract success. Comprehensive method statements not only facilitate compliance with legal obligations but also demonstrate a commitment to safety and meticulous planning, enhancing a contractor’s credibility and competitiveness in the bidding process. Further demonstrate health and safety compliance with SSIP certification: The Differences Between Risk Assessments and Method Statements Purpose and function comparison Risk assessments and method statements fulfil separate yet linked functions. Risk assessments spot and measure potential hazards, establishing control measures. They tackle core questions: “what might go wrong?” and “how do we prevent it?” Method statements map out task-specific safety procedures. These documents convert risk assessment findings into workable plans. Picture risk assessments as defining “what” needs attention, whilst method statements detail “how” to proceed safely. When you need both documents Legally, businesses must conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards. Method statements, however, are mandated only for complex or high risk tasks. Activities such as demolition, dismantling, or structural alterations require written documentation, typically in the form of a method statement, prior to commencement to ensure clear definition and communication of critical safety procedures. Best practice dictates that risk assessments should always precede method statements. The findings from a risk assessment determine whether a method statement is necessary. When required, the method statement provides a detailed breakdown of the work process, outlining precise safety protocols to control identified risks and guide safe task execution. Conducting a risk assessment first allows for the identification and evaluation of potential hazards associated with a task. This information is crucial for developing a method statement that provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to perform the task safely, incorporating the control measures identified during the risk assessment. This sequence ensures that all safety considerations are thoroughly addressed before work begins. In modern construction practices, principal contractors frequently request combined RAMS from subcontractors before allowing site access. Well-prepared Risk Assessment Method Statements not only ensure compliance with safety regulations but also demonstrate a professional commitment to construction risk management. As a result, high-quality RAMS significantly enhance the strength of tender submissions and improve the likelihood of securing contracts. How to write a method statement and risk assessment The creation of RAMS involves three key stages: firstly, site teams assess local conditions to identify project specific hazards and risks; secondly, they implement targeted control measures; and finally, stakeholders review and formally approve the documentation. This methodical approach yields RAMS documents that mirror real site conditions rather than generic scenarios. Strong RAMS detail supervisor responsibilities, plant requirements, medical provisions and precise operational steps. Site-specific vs. generic considerations While standard risk assessment templates provide a useful starting point for addressing common construction hazards, site-specific RAMS are far more effective in preventing accidents. These tailored documents account for the unique challenges of each project, offering precise safety measures that reflect real working conditions. Generic templates, though convenient, require careful adaptation to be truly effective. Comprehensive RAMS should consider critical factors such as ground conditions, material handling requirements, workforce size, and the potential impact of weather. Failure to customise documentation can lead to overlooked risks and ineffective safety protocols. A thorough review process is essential before submission. This involves removing irrelevant generic content and ensuring that every detail reflects the specific site environment. Well-prepared, site-specific RAMS not only enhance safety outcomes but also demonstrate a professional commitment to risk management and regulatory compliance. Getting work input for practical RAMS Site operatives are crucial in developing effective RAMS. Their practical experience enables them to identify hazards that may be overlooked in desk-based planning. Involving these operatives ensures that RAMS accurately reflect real world conditions and address risks more effectively. To maintain accuracy and effectiveness, task teams should routinely review and critique their RAMS documents. Regular review sessions, especially after safety incidents, help to identify documentation gaps and areas for improvement. These evaluations ensure that safety measures remain up-to-date and responsive to evolving site conditions. Emergency procedure drills are another essential step in testing the reliability of RAMS. By simulating real-site emergencies, these drills expose weaknesses in the documented protocols and provide opportunities to refine emergency responses. This proactive approach not only enhances worker safety but also ensures that RAMS remain practical, comprehensive, and aligned with actual site operations. Final Thoughts Effective RAMS documentation is pivotal in safeguarding construction site safety and ensuring regulatory compliance. Risk assessments fulfil legal obligations by identifying potential hazards, while method statements offer practical guidance for managing complex tasks. Tailored, site specific RAMS surpass generic templates, addressing the unique challenges of each project to prevent accidents and enhance operational efficiency. While modern digital platforms facilitate RAMS management, the invaluable insights from on the ground workers are crucial for developing truly effective documentation. Regular reviews and updates of these documents ensure that safety measures remain pertinent as site conditions evolve. Beyond mere compliance, robust RAMS protect workers, demonstrate due diligence, and strengthen tender submissions. Ultimately, these essential tools foster an environment where teams can work confidently, assured of their safety and well-being. Learn more about who is responsible for Health and Safety at work Key Contents RAMS Definition Importance of RAMS Key Components of RAMS Documents Risk Assessments Method Statements Differences between Risk Assessments & Method Statements Conclusion Blog Risk Assessments, Health and Safety, Supplier
