What Does RAMS Stand For?
RAMS = Risk Assessment and Method Statement
A RAMS document combines two essential safety documents into one comprehensive package that identifies hazards, assesses risks, and describes safe working procedures.
In UK construction and other high-risk industries, a RAMS document is the primary tool for planning safe work. It's sometimes called a "Safe System of Work" (SSOW) or "Safe Work Method Statement" (SWMS).
The document serves two purposes: it forces those planning work to think through hazards systematically, and it communicates that thinking to workers so they understand the risks and how to work safely.
Components of a RAMS Document
A complete RAMS document has two main sections, each with specific elements:
Risk Assessment
Identifies what could go wrong and how likely/severe it would be.
- Hazard identification
- Who might be harmed
- Risk rating (likelihood x severity)
- Control measures
- Residual risk rating
Method Statement
Describes exactly how the work will be done safely, step by step.
- Scope of work
- Sequence of operations
- Plant & equipment needed
- PPE requirements
- Emergency procedures
Additional Sections Often Included:
Legal Requirements in the UK
While "RAMS" isn't a legal term, the requirements for risk assessments and safe systems of work are enshrined in UK law:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Section 2 requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees. This includes providing safe systems of work.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Regulation 3 requires employers to make "suitable and sufficient" assessments of risks to employees and others affected by their work.
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
For construction work, CDM 2015 places specific duties on clients, designers, principal contractors, and contractors to plan, manage, and monitor work safely. Contractors must have "arrangements for securing the health and safety of all persons" - i.e., RAMS.
Failure to Comply
Inadequate risk assessments can result in HSE enforcement notices, prosecution, unlimited fines, and even imprisonment for serious breaches. Beyond legal penalties, poor safety planning puts workers' lives at risk.
When Do You Need a RAMS Document?
While technically required for all work activities, RAMS documents are particularly important for:
High-Risk Activities
- Working at height
- Excavations and trenching
- Hot works (welding, cutting)
- Confined space entry
- Work near live services
- Demolition work
Contractor Requirements
- Working on client sites
- Principal contractor projects
- SSIP/CHAS accreditation audits
- Framework tender submissions
- Local authority work
- New client onboarding
Pro Tip
Even if a client doesn't explicitly request RAMS, having them demonstrates professionalism and can win you more work. Many contractors now expect subcontractors to provide RAMS as standard.
Who Should Write RAMS?
The person writing a RAMS document should have:
- Competence in the work activity
They need to understand how the work is actually done
- Knowledge of the hazards involved
Experience helps identify less obvious risks
- Understanding of control measures
They should know what protective measures work in practice
- Site-specific knowledge (where applicable)
Understanding of the particular conditions of the site
In practice, this is often a supervisor, site manager, or the business owner for smaller contractors. Larger organisations may have dedicated health and safety professionals, but the technical input should come from those who understand the work.
How to Write a RAMS Document
Follow these steps to create an effective RAMS document:
Define the scope of work
Clearly describe what work will be carried out, where, when, and by whom. Include any relevant drawings or specifications.
Identify all hazards
List everything that could cause harm. Consider the task, the environment, the equipment, and interactions with others on site.
Assess the risks
For each hazard, determine who could be harmed, how likely it is, and how severe the consequences could be. Use a risk matrix to calculate risk ratings.
Apply the hierarchy of controls
For each hazard, determine controls using the hierarchy: Eliminate, Substitute, Engineering controls, Administrative controls, PPE (as a last resort).
Write the method statement
Describe the safe sequence of work, incorporating all the control measures. Make it practical - workers should be able to follow it on site.
Review and communicate
Have the RAMS reviewed by someone with relevant experience. Then brief all workers before they start - and get their sign-off.
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Try DocGen FreeRAMS Best Practices
Do
- Make it site and task specific
- Use clear, simple language
- Include photos where helpful
- Review and update regularly
- Brief workers before work starts
- Keep it concise but complete
- Consider weather conditions
- Include emergency procedures
Don't
- Copy generic templates without customising
- Use jargon workers don't understand
- Make it so long nobody reads it
- Assume one RAMS fits all projects
- Forget to record who's been briefed
- Ignore changes in site conditions
- Rely solely on PPE for protection
- Create it and never look at it again
Common RAMS Mistakes to Avoid
1. Generic "Copy and Paste" Documents
The most common mistake is using a generic template without tailoring it to the specific work, site, and conditions. HSE inspectors and auditors can spot these instantly, and they provide no real protection for workers.
2. Missing Obvious Hazards
Focusing only on the main task hazards while ignoring environmental factors like overhead cables, traffic, weather, or work by others nearby.
3. Vague Control Measures
Writing controls like "take care" or "use appropriate PPE" instead of specific, actionable measures like "erect scaffold with toe boards and handrails to Working at Height Regulations standard".
4. No Worker Briefing
Creating a detailed RAMS but never communicating it to the workers who actually need to follow it. A RAMS in a filing cabinet protects nobody.
5. Never Updating
Using the same RAMS for every job without updating for changed conditions, new equipment, or lessons learned from near-misses or incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a RAMS document be?
There's no set length - it should be as long as needed to cover the risks adequately, but not so long that nobody reads it. For a straightforward task like painting, 2-3 pages might suffice. For complex work like structural demolition, it could be 20+ pages. Focus on quality and relevance over length.
How often should RAMS be reviewed?
Review your RAMS whenever there's a significant change (site conditions, methods, personnel), after any incident or near-miss, and at least annually for ongoing activities. For project-specific RAMS, review at key milestones or phase changes.
Can I use one RAMS for multiple sites?
You can use a base template for similar activities, but each RAMS must be made site-specific. At minimum, update project details, site-specific hazards (access, services, other trades), and emergency information for each site.
What's the difference between RAMS and a permit to work?
RAMS describes how to do work safely. A permit to work is a formal authorization system used for high-risk activities - it confirms that specific precautions are in place before work starts. Permits are often required for hot works, confined spaces, and electrical isolation.
Do subcontractors need their own RAMS?
Generally yes. Each contractor is responsible for their own safe systems of work. The principal contractor should review subcontractor RAMS to ensure they're adequate and don't conflict with other work on site. Some principal contractors provide RAMS templates that subcontractors must use.
Is a RAMS document legally required?
While "RAMS" isn't specifically required by law, risk assessments and safe systems of work are legal requirements under UK health and safety legislation. A RAMS document is the most common way to meet these requirements in construction.