RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements) are one of the most common documents on construction sites, yet they are frequently the least effective. Many are written to satisfy paperwork requirements rather than to genuinely control risk.
When done properly, a RAMS should give people clear, practical information about the hazards involved in a task and exactly how those hazards will be controlled. When done poorly, it becomes a generic document that sits in a folder and has little connection to what actually happens on site.
Key definitions
Before writing effective RAMS, it helps to be clear on the basic terms:
- Hazard — Anything with the potential to cause harm (e.g. working at height, moving vehicles, electricity, noise, dust).
- Risk — The likelihood that harm will occur combined with the severity of that harm.
- Risk Assessment — The process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risks, and deciding on suitable control measures.
- Method Statement — A document that describes the safe system of work for a particular task. It explains how the work will be carried out safely, including the sequence of operations and the control measures that will be used.
A good RAMS combines both the risk assessment and the method statement. It should clearly show what the hazards are, how serious they are, and exactly how they will be controlled during the work.
Understanding the risk matrix
Most construction businesses use a risk matrix to help score risks. This is a simple grid that multiplies the **likelihood** of something happening by the **severity** of the harm if it does happen.
Typical scoring looks like this:
Example Risk Scoring
- Likelihood: 1 = Very unlikely, 2 = Unlikely, 3 = Possible, 4 = Likely, 5 = Almost certain
- Severity: 1 = Minor injury, 2 = First aid injury, 3 = Lost time injury, 4 = Major injury, 5 = Fatality
Risk Score = Likelihood × Severity
A score of 1–6 is usually considered low, 8–12 medium, and 15+ high. Any high residual risk after controls should be reviewed carefully.
Before and after controls
Effective RAMS should show both the **initial risk** (before controls) and the **residual risk** (after controls are applied). This demonstrates that proper thought has gone into reducing the risk to an acceptable level.
If the residual risk remains high, the task may need to be redesigned or additional controls introduced before work starts.
Hierarchy of control measures
When deciding on controls, always work through the hierarchy in this order:
- Eliminate — Remove the hazard completely if possible.
- Reduce / Substitute — Replace with something less hazardous.
- Isolate / Engineering controls — Physical barriers, guards, or separation.
- Administrative controls — Procedures, training, permits, supervision, signage.
- PPE — Personal protective equipment (last line of defence).
Good RAMS show that the writer has worked down this hierarchy rather than jumping straight to PPE.
Writing the method statement
The method statement should describe the safe system of work in a clear sequence. It should include:
- The task and its location
- Who will carry out the work and their competence requirements
- Plant, equipment and materials to be used
- The step-by-step sequence of work
- The control measures for each stage
- Emergency procedures
- Any permits or authorisations required
High-risk activities and permits
Certain activities require extra controls and often a permit-to-work system. These include:
- Work at height (especially fragile roofs or unprotected edges)
- Confined space entry
- Hot work (welding, cutting, grinding)
- Excavation near services
- Work on or near live electrical systems
- Lifting operations with cranes or heavy plant
- Work involving hazardous substances
Where permits are required, the RAMS should clearly state who issues the permit, what conditions must be met, and how the permit is closed out at the end of the task.
High-risk plant and machinery
When the work involves significant plant or machinery (e.g. excavators, telehandlers, piling rigs, mobile cranes), the RAMS should cover:
- Competence requirements for operators
- Plant inspection and maintenance requirements
- Exclusion zones and segregation from pedestrians
- Lifting plans where applicable
- Communication methods between operators and banksmen
Environmental considerations
RAMS should also address environmental risks where relevant, including:
- Control of dust, noise and vibration
- Protection of watercourses and drainage
- Waste management and segregation
- Spill prevention and response
- Protection of trees, wildlife or protected species
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequent weaknesses in RAMS
- Copying generic templates with minimal changes for the specific task
- Focusing heavily on hazards but giving weak or generic control measures
- Writing method statements that describe an ideal process rather than how the work will actually happen on site
- Producing documents that are too long and complex for anyone to use practically
- Failing to involve supervisors and operatives in the development of the RAMS
- Not reviewing or updating RAMS when site conditions change
Frequently Asked Questions
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. Risk is the combination of how likely it is that harm will occur and how serious that harm could be.
Not necessarily for every small task, but it is good practice on anything beyond routine low-risk work. The matrix helps you demonstrate that you have properly considered the level of risk before and after controls.
Detailed enough that someone competent can understand the sequence of work and the controls, but not so long that no one reads it. Focus on clarity and practicality over volume.
The best results usually come from a combination. The person writing the RAMS should have good technical knowledge, but they should also involve the supervisors and operatives who will actually carry out the work.
Whenever the work, conditions, or sequence changes significantly. A RAMS written at the start of a project can quickly become out of date as the job progresses.
Writing effective RAMS is not about producing impressive documents. It is about creating clear, practical guidance that helps people understand the risks and apply the right controls when they are actually doing the work.