What Does an HSE Inspector Actually Look for in a RAMS?
HSE inspectors can spot a generic RAMS in seconds. Here's exactly what they're checking — and what gets construction sites stopped or served improvement notices.
7 min read
TL;DR
HSE inspectors can spot a generic RAMS in seconds. Here's exactly what they're checking — and what gets construction sites stopped or served improvement notices.
Every experienced builder has seen it — an inspector on site, flicking through a RAMS, and you can tell in three seconds whether they're satisfied or not. Here's what they're actually looking for, and why generic documents keep failing.
The Fundamental Test: Is It Site-Specific?
Before an HSE inspector reads a single word of your RAMS, they're asking one question: does this document describe this job, on this site, with these workers?
A document that could apply to any job anywhere is not a compliant RAMS. It's a template. And inspectors can tell the difference.
Red flags they spot immediately:
- The company name is different to who's on site
- The site address is blank or wrong
- The hazards listed don't match the work being done
- The document is dated months ago and nothing's been updated
What They Check in the Risk Assessment Section
Inspectors look at the hazard list and ask: are these the real hazards for this job?
They want to see:
- Hazards specific to the type of work (not just "manual handling" for a roofing job — what specifically are you lifting and how heavy is it?)
- Likelihood and severity ratings that make sense (everything rated "low" looks like someone just ticked boxes)
- Controls that are actually in place on the site they can see in front of them
- Residual risk — what risk remains even after controls are applied
They'll stop a job if:
- Major hazards for the work type are completely absent
- Controls listed aren't actually present on site
- High-risk activities (working at height, excavation, confined spaces) have inadequate or missing controls
What They Check in the Method Statement
The method statement tells an inspector whether you've actually thought about how the work will be done safely.
They look for:
- A logical sequence of work that matches what's happening on site
- Clear identification of who does what
- Specific reference to tools, plant, or equipment being used
- What happens if something goes wrong (emergency procedures)
A method statement that just says "work will be carried out safely in accordance with current legislation" is not a method statement. That's a sentence. Inspectors know the difference.
The CDM 2015 Compliance Check
On notifiable projects, inspectors will check whether the RAMS has been produced in line with the principal contractor's Construction Phase Plan. They want to see:
- Alignment with the CPP's emergency procedures
- Your RAMS references the site rules
- The document has been shared with and understood by your workers
They may ask workers directly: "Have you read this RAMS? Do you understand the controls?"
If workers can't answer, that's a problem regardless of what's written on paper.
COSHH — Often the Weak Spot
Inspectors frequently find that RAMS mention chemicals are in use without any COSHH assessment. This is a compliance gap.
If your RAMS says "COSHH assessments in place for all substances" — they may ask to see them. If you can't produce them, the RAMS claim is meaningless and you've opened yourself up to further scrutiny.
What Gets Sites Stopped
Prohibition notices (immediate stop) typically follow:
- Unprotected work at height with no edge protection
- Live electrical work with no safe isolation evidence
- Confined space work with no permit or rescue plan
- Excavations without support or inspection records
Improvement notices (fix within a timeframe) typically follow:
- RAMS present but inadequate
- RAMS not site-specific
- COSHH substances without assessments
- Workers not briefed on the RAMS content
The Five Signs Your RAMS Will Pass
- 1It names the site, the client, and the scope of this specific job
- 2Every significant hazard for this type of work is addressed
- 3The controls described are actually in place on site
- 4Workers can demonstrate they've read and understood it
- 5COSHH assessments exist for every substance referenced
Making It Easier
Writing a site-specific RAMS from scratch takes time. The Site Book generates one from your job description — the site, the scope, the trades, the materials. The hazards are pulled from the type of work you're doing, not a generic list. Controls are tailored, not boilerplate.
The result is a document that holds up when someone actually reads it.
Ready to sort your compliance?
The Site Book handles RAMS, CPP, site inductions, and everything else. All in one place.
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