The Terminology Confusion
Construction professionals use various terms for safety documentation: RAMS, method statements, safe systems of work, risk assessments, SWMS. It's easy to get confused about what's what—and when you need each type of document.
Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
What is a Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risks they present, and determining appropriate control measures.
Key Elements:
- Identification of hazards (what could cause harm)
- Who might be harmed and how
- Evaluation of risk level (likelihood × severity)
- Control measures to eliminate or reduce risk
- Residual risk after controls are applied
Legal Requirement:
Risk assessments are legally required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Employers must carry out suitable and sufficient assessments of risks to employees and others affected by their work.
What is a Method Statement?
A method statement describes how a task will be carried out safely. It's a step-by-step guide to completing work while managing identified risks.
Key Elements:
- Scope and description of the work
- Sequence of operations (step-by-step)
- Resources required (people, equipment, materials)
- Safety measures for each step
- Emergency procedures
- Responsibilities
Legal Requirement:
Method statements are not specifically required by law in most cases. However, they're widely expected by principal contractors and are considered best practice for complex or high-risk work.
What is RAMS?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It's simply both documents combined into one—which is how most contractors present their safety documentation.
Typical RAMS Structure:
- Project and task details
- Risk assessment section (hazards, risks, controls)
- Method statement section (sequence of work)
- Emergency procedures
- Sign-off and review information
Combining them makes sense because the control measures identified in the risk assessment directly inform the safe methods described in the method statement.
When Do You Need Each?
Risk Assessment: Always Required
You always need a risk assessment for your work activities. This is a legal requirement, not optional. The assessment doesn't always need to be written down—for simple, low-risk activities with obvious controls, a mental assessment may suffice. However, if you have five or more employees, written assessments are legally required.
Method Statement: Usually Expected
Method statements are typically required for:
- Work on principal contractor sites (almost always requested)
- Complex or multi-step operations
- High-risk activities (working at height, hot works, confined spaces)
- Work where coordination with other trades is needed
- Non-routine or unusual tasks
RAMS: The Standard Approach
In practice, most contractors produce combined RAMS documents for any work that requires formal documentation. This satisfies principal contractor requirements and demonstrates a systematic approach to safety.
Other Terms You'll Encounter
Safe System of Work (SSoW)
A broader term covering any formal procedure for carrying out work safely. RAMS documents describe safe systems of work.
Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Common in Australia, similar to a UK method statement. You may see this term on international projects.
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
A step-by-step analysis of a task to identify hazards at each step. Similar to a method statement with integrated risk assessment.
Task Briefing / Toolbox Talk
A verbal communication of the RAMS content to workers. Not a substitute for written documentation, but essential for ensuring workers understand it.
Common Mistakes
Risk Assessment Without Method Statement
Identifying hazards without explaining how work will be done safely. Workers know the risks but not the safe procedures.
Method Statement Without Risk Assessment
Describing how work will be done but not systematically identifying hazards. May miss risks that aren't obvious from the procedure.
Generic Documents
Using the same RAMS for every job without site-specific customisation. Neither the risk assessment nor method statement reflects actual conditions.
Excessive Length
Producing 50-page documents that nobody reads. Keep it focused on significant risks and practical guidance.
Getting the Balance Right
Good RAMS documents are:
- Proportionate: Detail matches the risk level and complexity
- Specific: Addresses actual site conditions and your methods
- Practical: Workers can follow the guidance
- Concise: Covers essentials without unnecessary padding
- Current: Updated when conditions or methods change
How They Work Together
Think of risk assessment and method statement as two sides of the same coin:
| Risk Assessment | Method Statement |
|---|---|
| Identifies what could go wrong | Describes how to do it right |
| Focuses on hazards and controls | Focuses on sequence and procedure |
| Answers "what are the risks?" | Answers "how do we work safely?" |
| Required by law | Expected best practice |
Conclusion
Don't get hung up on terminology. Whether you call it RAMS, a method statement, or a safe system of work, what matters is that you:
- Systematically identify hazards relevant to your work and site
- Determine appropriate control measures
- Document how work will be carried out safely
- Communicate this effectively to workers
Combined RAMS documents are the industry standard because they do all of this in one place. Tools like DocGen make it easy to produce professional, site-specific RAMS quickly—so you can focus on the work itself.