For UK contractors, inspection firms, site managers and engineers preparing risk assessments and method statements for site work. It is UK-focused and not legal advice.
A Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) demonstrates that a task has been assessed for risk and planned to be carried out safely. It is one of the most requested documents on any site.
Risk assessment vs method statement
The risk assessment identifies hazards, who might be harmed and the controls in place. The method statement describes, step by step, how the work will be done safely. Together they form the RAMS.
Why they matter
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess risk and plan safe systems of work. Principal contractors and clients routinely require RAMS before allowing work to start.
Making them site-specific
Generic RAMS pulled from a folder are a common audit failure. Good RAMS reflect the actual site, task and team. A reusable template library with site-specific fields gets you there without starting from scratch each time.
Issuing RAMS on CertFlow
Build RAMS from reusable templates, route them for approval, attach them to the job they cover, and have the team sign them on site, with a full version history.