How to Write a RAMS for Construction Work: Step-by-Step UK Guide

What goes in a RAMS?

A RAMS is a single document that combines two things: a risk assessment and a method statement. The risk assessment identifies the hazards associated with the work, evaluates the level of risk, and sets out the control measures you will use to reduce that risk. The method statement takes those controls and weaves them into a step-by-step description of how the work will actually be carried out.

At a minimum, your RAMS should include: project details (site address, client name, contractor details, start date), a description of the work being carried out, a list of hazards and risks, the control measures for each hazard, a step-by-step method of work, the plant and equipment being used, materials (especially anything requiring a COSHH assessment), PPE requirements, emergency procedures, and the names and responsibilities of the people involved.

Think of the risk assessment as the thinking and the method statement as the doing. You cannot write a good method statement without first completing the risk assessment, because the controls you identify in the risk assessment dictate how the work is carried out. Equally, a risk assessment without a method statement leaves a gap — you have identified the risks but not explained how the work will be done safely in practice.

Under CDM 2015, every contractor must plan, manage, and monitor construction work so it is carried out without risks to health and safety. The RAMS is the standard way the UK construction industry meets this duty. Principal contractors will almost always require one before letting you on site, and many domestic clients now ask for them as well.

How does the 5×5 risk matrix work?

The 5×5 risk matrix is the standard tool for scoring risk levels in UK construction. It works by multiplying two factors: likelihood (how probable is it that the harm will occur?) and severity (how serious would the harm be if it did occur?). Each factor is scored from 1 to 5, giving a risk score between 1 and 25.

For likelihood: 1 means very unlikely (could happen but only in exceptional circumstances), 2 means unlikely (could happen but is not expected), 3 means possible (might happen occasionally), 4 means likely (will probably happen at some point), and 5 means very likely (almost certain to happen). For severity: 1 means insignificant injury (minor bruise, scrape), 2 means minor injury (sprain, small cut needing first aid), 3 means moderate injury (broken bone, burns requiring hospital treatment), 4 means major injury (amputation, permanent disability), and 5 means fatality.

You score each hazard twice: once before controls are applied (the inherent risk) and once after controls are applied (the residual risk). For example, “fall from scaffold” might be scored as likelihood 4, severity 5 = risk score 20 (very high) before controls. After installing edge protection, toe boards, and daily inspections, it might drop to likelihood 2, severity 5 = risk score 10 (medium). Notice that severity stays the same — a fall from height is still potentially fatal even with controls. What changes is how likely it is to happen.

A common mistake is to reduce severity scores after applying controls. Unless your control physically changes the outcome (for example, working at ground level instead of at height), the severity stays the same. Controls reduce likelihood, not consequences. If your residual risk score is still high (above 15), you need to rethink your approach — either add more controls or find a different way to do the work.

How do you write the method statement?

The method statement is the practical half of your RAMS. Where the risk assessment identifies hazards and sets out controls, the method statement describes the step-by-step sequence of operations for carrying out the work safely. It is your plan of action.

Start with the preparatory work: site set-up, welfare arrangements, deliveries, storage areas, access routes. Then describe each phase of the main activity in the order it will happen. At each step, include the relevant safety measures from your risk assessment. Finish with clean-up, waste disposal, and site demobilisation.

Each step should be written clearly enough that someone unfamiliar with the job could follow it. For example: “Step 3: Excavate foundation trenches to a depth of 900mm using a 1.5-tonne mini digger. Spoil to be stockpiled in the designated area at the front of the property, minimum 2m from the trench edge. All operatives to remain outside the swing radius of the excavator arm during digging operations. Trench supports to be installed as excavation progresses where depth exceeds 1.2m.”

Do not forget to include: the plant and equipment for each step, any permits required (hot work, confined space entry, permit to dig), the PPE needed at each stage, and the emergency procedures. The method statement should be a standalone guide to doing the work safely — someone should be able to pick it up, read it, and understand exactly what needs to happen.

How many hazards should you include?

There is no magic number, but as a rough guide: a RAMS for a straightforward domestic job (say, a kitchen refit) might identify eight to twelve significant hazards. A RAMS for a more complex project (a two-storey extension with groundworks, steelwork, and roofing) might have fifteen to twenty-five. The key word is “significant” — you do not need to list every trivial risk, but you must cover everything that could realistically cause harm.

Common hazards that appear on almost every construction RAMS include: working at height, manual handling, slips/trips/falls, dust and silica exposure, noise, contact with live services (electric, gas, water), falling objects, use of power tools, vehicle movements, and fire. Depending on the job, you might also need to include: excavation collapse, structural instability, asbestos disturbance, confined space entry, lead paint, work near water, or exposure to cement burns.

A useful exercise is to walk through the job mentally, step by step, and ask yourself at each stage: “What could go wrong here? Who could be hurt? How?” This helps you identify hazards that a generic template would miss — the low doorway that delivery drivers keep hitting their heads on, the uneven patio that becomes slippery in wet weather, the client’s dog that escapes into the work area every time the gate is opened.

If in doubt, include the hazard. It is far better to have a slightly longer RAMS that covers everything than a shorter one that misses something important. The Site Book’s hazard library suggests hazards based on the type of work you describe, so you are less likely to miss something obvious.

Worked example: RAMS for a single-storey extension

Let’s walk through what a real RAMS might look like for a common domestic job: a single-storey rear extension in a suburban semi-detached house. The project involves demolishing the existing rear wall, excavating foundations, building new blockwork walls, installing a steel beam, and fitting a flat roof.

This is a condensed example — a real RAMS would include more detail on PPE, emergency procedures, personnel, permits, and additional hazards. But it shows the level of site-specific detail you should be aiming for. The Site Book creates this kind of tailored content automatically from your project description.