How to develop risk assessment and method statements (RAMS) templates

To work on almost any commercial or principal contractor site, you will need to provide a set of Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) before you start. Creating a set of high-quality templates for your core services now is one of the most efficient things you can do. It saves you hours of paperwork later and shows potential clients that you are a professional who takes safety seriously. In short, a Risk Assessment identifies the hazards involved in a job, while a Method Statement provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how you will complete the job safely.

What Exactly are RAMS?

RAMS are two distinct but linked documents that form the backbone of your health and safety management for a specific task. They demonstrate that you have thoroughly thought about the potential dangers of your work and have a clear plan to manage them.

• Risk Assessment: This document focuses on the 'what if'. Its purpose is to identify potential hazards, assess the level of risk they pose, and detail the control measures you will put in place to eliminate or reduce that risk to an acceptable level.
• Method Statement: This document is a detailed 'how-to' guide. It describes the sequence of work from start to finish in a logical and safe manner. It’s often used for higher-risk activities and ensures that everyone involved understands the correct procedure to follow.

How to Structure Your Risk Assessment Template

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlines five simple steps for conducting a risk assessment, and your template should be structured to follow this logic. The easiest way to do this is by creating a table with the following columns:

1. Task/Activity: A brief description of the specific job step (e.g., "Cutting paving slabs with a disc cutter").
2. Hazard: What could cause harm? (e.g., "Inhalation of silica dust," "Noise," "Flying debris").
3. Who Might Be Harmed & How?: Be specific (e.g., "Operator could inhale dust leading to lung disease," "Public could be hit by debris causing eye injury").
4. Existing Control Measures: What are you already doing to control the risk? (e.g., "Using a disc cutter with water suppression," "Operator wears FFP3 mask, eye and hearing protection").
5. Risk Rating (Initial): Before further controls, what is the risk level? You can calculate this using a simple risk matrix. Assess the Likelihood of harm and the Severity of that harm, typically on a scale of 1-5.
6. Additional Control Measures: What else can you do to bring the risk down even further? (e.g., "Erect barriers to create an exclusion zone for the public," "Use on-tool extraction in addition to water suppression").
7. Risk Rating (Final): With the additional controls in place, what is the new, lower risk level?
8. Person Responsible: Who is responsible for ensuring the controls are in place? (e.g., "Site Supervisor").

Example Risk Matrix

A simple way to calculate the risk rating is to multiply the likelihood by the severity. This gives you a score that you can categorise as Low, Medium, or High.

1 (Minor Injury) 2 (Moderate Injury) 3 (Major Injury/Death) 3 (Likely) 3 (Low) 6 (Medium) 9 (High) 2 (Possible) 2 (Low) 4 (Low) 6 (Medium) 1 (Unlikely) 1 (Low) 2 (Low) 3 (Low)

How to Structure Your Method Statement Template

Think of this as the instruction manual for the job. It should be written in clear, simple English and laid out in a logical sequence. Your template should include the following sections:

• Project Details: Client Name, Site Address, Document Number, Date, and a clear title (e.g., "Method Statement for Installation of a New Boiler").
• Scope of Works: A clear and concise summary of the job to be carried out.
• Sequence of Works: This is the core of the document. Provide a step-by-step, chronological list of every task from arriving on site to packing up and leaving. Be detailed (e.g., 1. Arrive on site and sign in. 2. Unload tools and materials to lay-down area. 3. Isolate water and electrical supplies. 4. ...etc.).
• Plant, Tools & Equipment: List all the equipment you will use for the job.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): List all mandatory PPE for the task (e.g., hard hat, safety boots, gloves, eye protection).
• First Aid & Emergency Procedures: Detail the location of the first aid kit, the name of the first aider, and the procedure in case of a fire or other emergency.
• Permits to Work: Include a section to reference any required permits, such as for hot works or working in confined spaces.
• Linked Documents: State clearly which Risk Assessment this Method Statement relates to.

Top Tip: A template is a starting point, not the finished product. You must review, amend, and add to your templates for every single job to ensure they are specific to the site, the environment, and the exact task at hand. A generic document is not sufficient.

By creating these templates, you are not just ticking a box for a client; you are building a robust safety system for your business. Well-written RAMS protect you, your team, and the public, while also enhancing your reputation as a competent and trustworthy professional.