Guides

RAMS, explained

What a Risk Assessment and Method Statement is, how to write one that a site accepts, and the rules behind it: work at height, COSHH and CDM 2015. Written for contractors, not for lawyers.

What is a RAMS document?

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. What a RAMS contains, who must produce one, when UK law requires it and why a template is not enough.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

How to write a method statement

How to write a UK method statement: the sections it needs, how to write the sequence of works, what gets one rejected on site, and a worked example.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

RAMS vs risk assessment: what is the difference?

A risk assessment identifies hazards and controls. A RAMS adds the method statement: the sequence for doing the job safely. Which one a client wants.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

When do you need a RAMS? UK requirements explained

When UK law and clients require a RAMS: MHSWR 1999, CDM 2015 and HSWA 1974, the situations that trigger one, sole traders, and what happens without it.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

Working at height risk assessment: what it must cover

What a work at height risk assessment must cover under the Work at Height Regulations 2005: the hierarchy of control, ladders, inspections and rescue.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

COSHH assessments for contractors

What a COSHH assessment must cover under the COSHH Regulations 2002, the order of controls, construction dust and silica, and how it fits alongside a RAMS.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

CDM 2015 for small contractors and sole traders

What CDM 2015 asks of small contractors and sole traders: the regulation 15 duties, construction phase plans, working for homeowners and F10 notification.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

What principal contractors check in a RAMS

The checks a principal contractor or client runs on a RAMS before work starts, the evidence they ask for alongside it, and the reasons documents get sent back.

Updated 30 September 2026

Read the guide

Ready to write yours?

Describe the job, answer the questions a site would ask, and RAMS Pal produces a job-specific RAMS to review, edit and issue. From £14.90, no subscription.

Create a RAMS See example documents

RAMS Pal is a documentation support tool. Generated content must be reviewed and adapted to the actual work, site conditions, workforce, equipment and applicable health & safety requirements.