What are RAMS?

The Risk Assessment and Method Statement (commonly referred to as RAMS) is an important safety tool in the construction industry.

There are many risks associated with construction, including higher fatalities than the national average. HSE’s 2023 ‘Construction statistics in Great Britain’ stated that construction had 45 fatal injuries in 2022/23 period. This compared to the national annual average of 37 fatalities.

RAMS can be used as a tool to manage risks by identifying them, assessing them, and mitigating them.

The risk assessment is the process of identifying and evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in an activity or undertaking.

The method statement describes how a specific task must be done in order for it to be completed safely. It must be written in a logical, step-by-step manner.

Key steps to managing risk:

1. Hazard identification

Conduct a site survey and consider which elements may cause harm:

How plant equipment is used
Use of chemicals and substances
Safe or unsafe work practices

In addition to this, it can be helpful to look back at the accident and ill health records from previous projects as this will identify less obvious hazards.

Before construction begins it’s important to check the maintenance and cleaning of equipment.

Discuss hazards with workers, and confirm if they have identified any.

2. Assess the risk

Evaluate the likelihood and severity of each identified hazard. Additionally, determine the level of risk associated with each hazard.

Many risk assessments use a number rating system, following a risk matrix similar to the snapshot below, where each risk is rated against the danger and likelihood.

Where a risk is severe and highly likely, the necessity of the activity itself should be questioned.

Other considerations include:

Who might be harmed and how
Who needs to carry out the activity
When the activity is needed by
The existing risk control
Further action needed to control the risk

3. Mitigation/risk control

Implement appropriate control measures to mitigate or eliminate identified risks.

How can the risk be controlled so harm is unlikely?
Redesign the job
Replacing materials, machinery, or process
Organising the work to reduce exposure to the materials, machinery, or process
Implement practical measures needed to work safely
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

4. Monitoring and review

Regularly review RAMS to ensure its effectiveness and make necessary updates as conditions change or new hazards are identified.

Benefits include:

Improved safety – reduces accidents and injuries.
Legal compliance – helps ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Enhanced reputation – demonstrates commitment to safety and quality.
Improve communication and coordination between different teams
Provide clean instructions on how to complete tasks