Understanding Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS)

What are Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS)?

Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) are detailed documents used to highlight the hazards involved in particular jobs and control measures or specialist equipment that are essential to mitigate these risks. RAMS should be completed before any task or procedure takes place to act as a guideline for safe working procedures. This ensures the health and safety of employees, contractors and members of the public. RAMS go beyond simply assessing risks and use this information to create a step-by-step guide on how to complete tasks safely and efficiently.

Why are RAMS important?

RAMS are crucial in identifying potential risks prior to work taking place. Early identification of risks gives businesses the chance to implement any safety measures necessary for preventing potentially fatal accidents.

• RAMS are a proactive way for organisations to address and assess risks to mitigate potential hazards, minimising expensive accidents leading to injuries and fatalities and any legal consequences that may follow.
• In many industries RAMS are a legal requirement to show necessary safety protocols are in place.
• A detailed outline of how to complete tasks safely increases workplace efficiency. By giving employees a clear understanding of the best way to approach a task, the equipment required and risks to be aware of, they are equipped with vital knowledge on how to reduce risks and improve efficiency.

How do RAMS differ from standard risk assessments?

A standard risk assessment is a systematic process that identifies potential hazards, evaluates the risk level involved including the severity and probability of the risk. Using this document, companies can put the correct safety (or control) measures in place, enabling accountability, preventing accidents and complying with legal requirements. Standard risk assessments are reviewed regularly to make sure everything is up to date and that changes in environment or procedure have been accounted for.

RAMS are more detailed, task- specific documents. In addition to assessing the risks, a RAMS document will describe the specific methods, tools and equipment required, outline step-by-step procedures and include information on who handles each action. RAMS also detail any personal protective equipment (PPE) needed and emergency procedures should something go wrong.

Which industries require RAMS the most?

In the UK certain industries with high levels of risk associated with them are more likely to require RAMS to ensure the health and safety of all individuals involved with tasks at hand. These industries are:

• Construction - Due to the complexity of tasks and the presence of many potential hazards (e.g. working at heights, machinery use and hazardous substances), construction is one of the industries that rely heavily on RAMS.
• Manufacturing - Industrial environments with heavy machinery, chemicals and potential for accidents require RAMS to ensure safety protocols are in place.
• Oil and Gas - The oil and gas industry involves high-risk activities like drilling, extraction and the handling of volatile materials, making RAMS essential for mitigating risks.
• Utilities and Infrastructure - Work involving electricity, gas, water, or telecommunications often includes high-risk operations where RAMS are necessary.
• Transport and Logistics - Transporting hazardous materials, working with large machinery, or handling goods in high-traffic areas requires RAMS for ensuring worker safety.
• Energy and Renewables: Work related to energy production, especially in hazardous environments like nuclear, solar farms and wind energy, requires comprehensive safety procedures outlined in RAMS.

What are the legal requirements for RAMS in the UK?

In the UK, RAMS are a crucial part of following Health and Safety legislation. They are vital for specific tasks, particularly where there is a significant risk of injury or danger. The legal requirements for RAMS include:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Employers must ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work activities. RAMS are part of ensuring this legal duty is fulfilled.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: These regulations require employers to carry out risk assessments and take suitable and sufficient steps to control risks. RAMS provide a structured approach to identifying and controlling risks for specific tasks.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM Regulations): The CDM Regulations require that RAMS are developed for construction work to ensure safety and reduce risks. RAMS must be specific to each phase of the construction process, particularly for high-risk activities.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations: If a task involves hazardous substances, RAMS should address the risks associated with their use and how these risks can be mitigated.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992: RAMS must also include any necessary PPE requirements for tasks that involve particular hazards.

Failure to provide adequate RAMS when required can lead to legal consequences, including fines or legal action for not complying with health and safety regulations.

How can CTM Safety help with RAMS?

At CTM Safety, RAMS template information is stored in the cloud, making it quick and easy to update so that everyone with access can see any changes to risks posed instantly. Our system is closely aligned with Simpro Software, a leading software provider for job and workforce management.

Our RAMS document contains a step-by-step guide on how to complete a task safely and efficiently as well as outlining any PPE or equipment required for each task. It also outlines emergency procedures to ensure employees are well equipped in the field.

Our features include being able to select methods of work and risk assessments from templates with the ability to adapt them for specific RAMS. We also make it easy to select the correct tools, equipment, PPE and CoSHH data sheets with automatic selection of local hospitals and site-specific details, imported from Simpro Software. We even bring across licence information held in Simpro. When set up correctly, our system can even provide site and task specific RAMS automatically.

In summary, RAMS are far more than just another compliance document. They’re a practical way to keep people safe, jobs running smoothly and legally, especially in high-risk industries. Going beyond risk assessments to provide step-by-step task guidance, RAMS help protect people, streamline operations and show accountability. At CTM Safety, we’ve simplified the whole process with a smart, cloud-based system that integrates seamlessly with Simpro Software. No more chasing paperwork or duplicating effort. Just clear, site-specific safety guidance that’s easy to create, share and update.