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A simple RAMS example: replacing roof tiles
Is a RAMS a legal requirement in the UK?
Why is the Principal Contractor asking me for a RAMS?
What happens if my RAMS isn't good enough?
What's the quickest way to produce RAMS
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It's a pair of safety documents that UK contractors usually produce before starting work on site. The risk assessment sets out what could go wrong. The method statement explains how the job will be done safely.
If you're a subcontractor, the principal contractor will normally ask for one before you're allowed to start. This guide covers what goes into each part, why you're being asked for it, and the quickest way to get it right.
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment answers one question: what could go wrong?
It identifies the hazards of the job, such as working at height, using power tools, lifting heavy items, dust or electricity. It then records who could be harmed, how likely and how serious that harm would be, and what you're doing to reduce the risk.
What is a method statement?
A method statement answers a different question: how will we do the job safely?
It's a step-by-step description of the work, covering:
- the order of tasks
- the equipment and materials you'll use
- who is responsible for what
- the safety controls at each stage
Put together, the risk assessment spots the dangers and the method statement shows how you'll keep them under control.
A simple RAMS example: replacing roof tiles
A roofer is replacing tiles on a house.
Risk assessment: Falling from height is the main risk. People below could be hit by falling tiles, and carrying heavy tiles could cause strains.
Method statement: The scaffold goes up first and edge protection is fitted. An exclusion zone is set up below. Tiles are lifted with a hoist, and workers wear harnesses and hard hats.
For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to write a roofing RAMS.
Is a RAMS a legal requirement in the UK?
Partly. The law requires a risk assessment. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess and manage risks. Construction work is also covered by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, usually called CDM 2015.
The method statement, and the combined RAMS document, comes from industry practice rather than a specific law. In practice that makes little difference. Principal contractors and clients almost always ask for both before they let a subcontractor start.
Why is the Principal Contractor asking me for a RAMS?
Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor is responsible for managing health and safety on site. Checking your RAMS is one way they do that. They'll review it, approve it or send it back, and keep it on file. Your team will usually be briefed on it and asked to sign to confirm they've understood it.
It's easy to see RAMS as paperwork for the sake of it. But a clear, accurate RAMS does two useful things. It makes you think the job through before anyone picks up a tool. And it gives you a record showing you did, if anything goes wrong.
What happens if my RAMS isn't good enough?
If your RAMS is vague, generic or doesn't match the job, it's likely to be sent back. That can stop you starting on the agreed day, which has a knock-on effect on your labour and your next job.
The most common reason for rejection is a template that hasn't been properly adapted to the work being done.
What's the quickest way to produce RAMS
Contractors are always looking for the quickest solution to writing their RAMS. Although speed is important, the material must also be correct. Many modify online Word or Excel templates. Generic templates frequently fail first-time approval, and it can take hours every month. Although many AI systems can generate a draft rapidly, they typically recommend that you have it reviewed by a health and safety expert before sending it.
MyRAMSapp was built to solve this. The templates are written by health and safety professionals, and you create a RAMS in three steps:
- Fill in the project details.
- Describe the scope of works, including any site-specific risks.
- Select the risk assessments that match the job.
You can then download it and send it straight to your principal contractor. Plans start at £20 a month for single-trade contractors and £30 a month for multi-trade contractors, with unlimited RAMS.
RAMS quick answers
What does RAMS stand for? Risk Assessment and Method Statement.
Who writes the RAMS? Usually the contractor or subcontractor doing the work. The principal contractor or site manager then reviews and approves it.
Is a method statement a legal requirement? Not on its own. A risk assessment is required by law, but principal contractors almost always ask for a method statement as well.
What regulations cover RAMS in construction? The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and CDM 2015.
How long does it take to write a RAMS? Writing one from scratch or adapting a generic template can take hours. With MyRAMSapp, most users create one in a few minutes.
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