What is Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)?

From office-places to construction sites, workplace hazards can occur anytime, anywhere. Without proper management, they can cause serious injuries to your staff, customers, and even the public.

Providing safe working conditions is part of your legal duty as an employer. This duty includes having the right documentation, like a ‘risk assessment method statement’ or RAMS.

Neglecting important documents like these may lead to serious consequences. Like injuring staff, paying compensation fines, or facing business closure.

In this guide, we’ll look at what RAMS stands for, what the benefits are, and how to create these safety document to help manage health and safety in your workplace.

What is risk assessment method statement (RAMS)?

Risk assessment method statement (RAMS) are detailed documents that outline how to carry out a specific task or project in a safe manner.

RAMS are written almost like a manual, presenting guidelines in a step-by-step method. Workers complete each level with the aim to manage their responsibilities in a safe and controlled approach.

The risk assessment side records hazards found in the workplace. These assess how serious the hazards are and what the chances are of them repeating during everyday duties.

Method statements (also known as ‘safe systems of work’) utilise information recorded in the risk assessment. Ultimately, they outline what actions are needed to identify, manage, and control hazards.

Is a risk assessment and method statement the same?

No, risk assessments and method statements are not the same. However, most businesses will use both documents (or RAMS) in their general working practices.

A risk assessment usually includes checklists and control measures. These documents are a legal requirement and apply to minor and major hazards, like manual handling or driving haulage trucks.

However, a method statement is written for specific, high-risk tasks or activities. They break down the entire process into individual steps. Control measures are then outlined, making it easy for workers to understand and follow them.

Through documents like RAMS, employers have access to a comprehensive and thorough framework that helps promote health, safety, and welfare across all their workplace activities and practices.

What are the benefits of using RAMS?

No matter what your business involves, all employers must make reasonable efforts towards promoting workplace security. RAMS not only makes this legal duty easier, but they also help protect anyone who visits your worksites.

Some of the benefits of using RAMS include:

Safe decision-making: Workers can make decisions on how to carry out certain types of tasks, especially when managing unforeseen problems. Sometimes, you might need to make instant decisions, whilst others require more thought.

Clearer communication: Presents transparent instructions and expectations for workers. Clearer communication also helps reduce incorrect work practices and errors.

Effective planning: Allows businesses to conduct better preparation and coordination for tasks and projects. Having effective planning can also prevent and even minimise delays or disruptions.

Improved safety: Ensures potential health and safety risks are identified, controlled, and reduced. This leads to safer workplace environments, as well as a decrease in sick leave, sick pay, and even injury claims (with compensation).

Legal compliance: Helps businesses keep legal compliance with health & safety regulations and standards. Through the right steps, you’ll be able to minimise the risk of being fined and other legal penalties.

Who is responsible for risk assessment method statement (RAMS)?

Employers have overall responsibility for their workplace health and safety – and that includes documents, like RAMS.

However, many businesses assign a specific employee, or ‘competent person’ who looks over health and safety measures during work activities. This is usually someone with appropriate qualifications, training, and certification to manage workplace safety.

In other cases, businesses may hire external health and safety professionals to manage this responsibility on their behalf. However, the ultimate responsibility falls to you.

Is RAMS a legal requirement?

Only risk assessments are a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR). Employers must assess risks that may affect themselves, employees, and other people in connection to your workplace. (For example, customers, clients, and the public).

Method statements aren’t mentioned under health and safety legislation. However, MHSWR does state employers must ensure their work arrangements include effective planning, control, monitoring, and preventative measures. (This is something usually connected to method statements over risk assessments).

Get expert advice on risk assessment and manual handling (RAMS) with Peninsula

No matter what your industry you work in, all employers have a legal duty to ensure workplace safety. Without the right management, you would end up injuring your staff, customers, or anyone who visits your premises.

Peninsula offers expert advice on risk assessment and manual handling (RAMS). We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your workplaces are safe and properly managed.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a workplace risk assessment with one of our H&S consultants today.