Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS)
What RAMS are
RAMS is shorthand for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. The risk assessment identifies the hazards of a task, who might be harmed, and the controls needed. The method statement then describes, in a logical sequence, exactly how the work will be carried out safely. Combining them gives whoever is doing — or overseeing — the work a single, clear picture of both the risks and the safe method.
RAMS are especially common in construction and contracting, where a principal contractor or client will typically ask to see them before allowing work to start on site.
What the law and the HSE expect
The foundation is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. On top of it, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require every employer to carry out a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment — and if you employ five or more people, you must record the significant findings.
For construction specifically, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) drive the need to plan and document safe methods of work, which is where the method statement half of RAMS comes in. The HSE is the regulator that enforces all of this.
What UK RAMS contain
UK RAMS carry an extra “who might be harmed” column — a specific HSE expectation — alongside the 5×5 initial and residual risk ratings. RiskForms also references the relevant EN standards for PPE where they apply.
| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Job step | Each sequential phase of the task, broken into a handful of granular steps. |
| Potential hazards | The specific hazards that could realistically cause harm during that step. |
| Who might be harmed | Who might be harmed and how — naming vulnerable groups where relevant. |
| Initial risk | The risk rating before controls, scored on a 5×5 likelihood × consequence matrix. |
| Preventive controls | The preventive controls, chosen using the hierarchy of controls. |
| Residual risk | The risk rating after controls are applied — it should be lower than the initial score. |
What makes RAMS 'suitable and sufficient'
The phrase from the regulations has a practical meaning. Good RAMS do all of this.
Specific to the task
Written for the actual job and site — not a generic template with the hazards of a different job.
Identify who's at risk
Name who could be harmed and how, including vulnerable groups like young, new, or lone workers.
Proportionate controls
Control the risk so far as is reasonably practicable, working down the hierarchy of controls.
Kept up to date
Reviewed when the method, site, or team changes — and after any incident or near-miss.
Writing RAMS that get approved
The risk-assessment half follows the standard process: identify the hazards, decide who might be harmed, score each risk on a risk matrix, and apply the hierarchy of controls. See how to do a risk assessment for the full walkthrough. The method-statement half then sets those controls into the actual sequence of work.
RiskForms drafts both halves at once: describe the job and it produces task-specific RAMS with the who-might-be-harmed detail, risk ratings, and EN-standard PPE references the HSE expects — ready for a competent person to review and sign.
Official guidance & sources
Always confirm the current requirements with the regulator for your region.
Related documents & guides
OSHA JHA / JSA
SWMS (Australia)Safe Work Method Statement
RAMS (UK)Risk Assessment & Method Statement
SSSP (New Zealand)Safe System of Work Plan
Job Hazard Analysis (Canada)Provincial & federal JHA
How to do a risk assessmentStep-by-step walkthrough
What is a risk assessment?Definition & legal context
Hazard identificationSpotting hazards before work
Risk matrix explained5×5 likelihood × consequence
Hierarchy of controlsElimination through to PPE
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