For many years, health and safety in the UK construction and contracting sectors has been burdened by a reputation it does not deserve. Too often, it is seen as paperwork-heavy, disconnected from the realities of site work, and imposed rather than understood. In some cases, that criticism is justified, not because the law is flawed, but because the way safety is delivered has drifted away from the people it is meant to protect.
My work has always been grounded in one simple belief: health and safety must work where the work happens. If a risk assessment cannot be understood by the people carrying out the task, or a method statement exists only to satisfy a file audit, then it has already failed.
The gap between compliance and reality:
UK health and safety law is, for the most part, well-designed. The Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations are not prescriptive manuals; they are frameworks built on proportionality, competence, and common sense. The problem arises in how those frameworks are interpreted and implemented on-site.
Many contractors, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, find themselves caught between two pressures. On one side, they are expected to demonstrate full compliance through detailed documentation. On the other hand, they are operating in fast-moving, resource-limited environments where time and clarity matter.
The result is often generic, recycled paperwork that looks impressive but offers little real control of risk.
Written for people on site:
At MyRAMSapp, our mission is simple: to deliver health and safety that works in the real world. That means producing advice, systems, and documentation that people can actually use - not just store.
Clear language matters. Relevance matters. Proportionality matters. A site operative should be able to read a method statement and immediately understand what is expected of them. A site manager should be able to implement controls without decoding consultancy jargon. A business owner should feel confident that their arrangements are legally sound without being overwhelmed.
This approach does not dilute standards; it raises them. When safety is understood, it is followed. When it is respected, it becomes part of how work is done, not an obstacle to it.
The digital shift: making compliance accessible
One of the most consistent challenges I have seen is access. Smaller contractors often want to do the right thing but lack the time, budget, or expertise to produce compliant risk assessments and method statements from scratch for every job.
That challenge led directly to the development of MyRAMSapp.
MyRAMSapp is an entirely digital platform designed to remove unnecessary barriers to compliance. It allows smaller contractors to generate clear, compliant, site-specific RAMS in three simple steps, without copying templates, without guesswork, and without sacrificing legal robustness.
Crucially, the platform is designed with the same philosophy that underpins our consultancy - 556 Safety: written for people on site. The output is practical, readable, and defensible, supporting both safe working and regulatory scrutiny.
Technology, when used properly, should simplify safety, not complicate it. Digital tools should enhance competence, not replace it. MyRAMSapp exists to support contractors, not to overwhelm them.
Supporting managers, protecting workers:
Good health and safety is not about stopping work. It is about enabling work to be carried out safely, consistently, and professionally. When systems are clear, managers are supported rather than burdened. When expectations are realistic, workers engage rather than resist.
Across consultancy, audits, site inspections, and digital platforms, the focus remains the same:
- Protect workers from harm
- Support managers with clarity and confidence
- Raise standards without unnecessary complexity
This is not about minimal compliance — it is about meaningful compliance.
Looking ahead to 2026:
As the industry continues to evolve, the challenge is not writing more documents or introducing more systems. The challenge is restoring trust in health and safety as a practical discipline.
In 2026 and beyond, my commitment remains unchanged: to provide professional, honest, and workable safety solutions that stand up both on site and under scrutiny. Whether through direct consultancy or digital innovation, the goal is the same: health and safety that works in the real world.
Curious about making RAMS easier? With MyRAMSapp, contractors can quickly and efficiently create and manage compliant documentation. See how it could help. Sign up here.