What are Risk Assessment & Method Statement s(RAMS)?

From offices to construction sites, workplace hazards can occur anytime, anywhere. Without proper management, they can cause serious injuries to your staff, customers, and even the public.

Providing safe systems of work is part of your legal duty as an employer. Combined risk assessments and method statements are a type of documented safe system of work designed to be used where work tasks are complex or high risk, or both.

Neglecting important documents like these may lead to serious consequences. Like injuring staff, paying compensation fines, or facing business closure.

In this guide, we’ll look at what RAMS stands for, what the benefits are, and how to create these safety document to help manage Health and Safety in your workplace. Our team of experts have also created a free RAMs template ready to use in your business.

What is risk assessment method statement (RAMS)?

Risk assessment method statement (RAMS) are a type of safe system of work that not only risk assesses an activity but also details the method of work that outlines how to carry out a specific task or project in a safe manner.

What is the difference between general risk assessments and RAMS?

A general risk assessment is used for general work activities. They are specific to the task but not specific to an individual job.

General risk assessments are simpler than RAMS as they identify hazards, who could be at risk and the control measures required. These documents are a legal requirement and apply to minor and major hazards, like manual handling or driving haulage trucks.

However, a RAMS is written for specific, high-risk tasks or activities. They break down the entire process into individual steps. Control measures are then outlined, making it easy for workers to understand and follow them. They are usually job specific, pertaining to a specific job in a specific location, on a specific date. They tend to include details of the local emergency services also.

Through documents like RAMS, employers have access to a comprehensive and thorough framework that helps promote health, safety, and welfare across all their workplace activities and practices.

What are the benefits of using RAMS?

Use of RAMS, where they are necessary due to the high risk or complex nature of the workers, ensure employers meet their legal requirement to provide a suitable and sufficient safe system of work.

Some of the benefits of using RAMS include:

Clearer communication: Set instructions and expectations for workers. When communicated clearly, employees have a formalised process for their work, with a detailed method to follow, while also providing an awareness of the hazards associated with the work.

Effective planning: An organised approach to work processes can prevent or minimise any delays or disruptions.

Improved safety: Ensures potential health and safety risks are identified, controlled, and reduced. This leads to safer workplace environments, as well as a decrease in sick leave, sick pay, and even injury claims (with compensation).

Legal compliance: Provision and use of suitable and sufficient RAMS ensure legal compliance with Health & Safety regulations and standards. Through the rights steps, you'll be able to minimise the risk of being fined and other legal penalties.

Who is responsible for risk assessment method statement (RAMS)?

Employers have overall responsibility for their workplace health and safety – and that includes documents, like RAMS.

The creation and implementation of RAMS can be delegated to a specific employee, however it needs to be ensure that either they themselves are competent or they have access to competent Health & Safety advice.

In other cases, businesses may hire external health and safety professionals to manage this responsibility on their behalf. However, the ultimate responsibility falls to the employer.

Are RAMS a legal requirement?

RAMS themselves as a document type are not specifically mandated in legislation, however the Health and Safety at Work Act states that employers have a legal duty to provide a suitable and sufficient safe system of work.

Where the work is particularly complex or high risk, that suitable and sufficient safe system of work would be a RAMS.

The management of Health & Safety at work regulations also states that employers must ensure their work arrangements include effective planning, control, monitoring, and preventative measures. This is something that can be evidenced with a suitable and sufficient RAMS.

Get expert advice on risk assessment and manual handling (RAMS) with Peninsula

No matter what your industry you work in, all employers have a legal duty to ensure workplace safety. Without the right management, you would end up injuring your staff, customers, or anyone who visits your premises.

Peninsula offers expert advice on risk assessment and manual handling (RAMS). We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your workplaces are safe and properly managed. Our team of experts have also created a free RAMs template ready to use in your business.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a workplace risk assessment with one of our H&S consultants today.