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RAMS Complete Guide

Create, review, approve, version, and distribute RAMS with practical site-focused workflows.

Overview

RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements) define how work is carried out safely. In TheContractorsToolbox, RAMS workflows support drafting, review, approval, version control, employee acknowledgement, and PDF distribution.

[SCREENSHOT: RAMS Dashboard Overview]

Why It Matters

  • Demonstrates planned risk controls before work begins.
  • Aligns supervisors and operatives on safe methods.
  • Provides auditable records for principal contractors and clients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

What RAMS are and why they matter

A RAMS document combines:

  • Risk assessment: hazards, risk scoring, control measures.
  • Method statement: step-by-step safe system of work.

Practical example: internal fit-out work with hot works, access equipment, dust generation, and live-service interfaces.

Creating RAMS

  1. Open RAMS and start a new record.
  2. Add project/site details and activity scope.
  3. Set authors, reviewers, and approvers.
  4. Save draft before adding hazards.

[SCREENSHOT: Create RAMS Form]

Managing hazards and control measures

  1. Add hazard categories (access, manual handling, electrical, environmental).
  2. Define who may be harmed and how.
  3. Add existing controls and additional controls required.
  4. Re-score residual risk after controls.

Method statements

Document the task sequence clearly:

  1. Pre-start checks.
  2. Delivery and setup.
  3. Main work stages.
  4. Temporary stop/hold points.
  5. Completion and housekeeping.

[WORKFLOW DIAGRAM: Method Statement Sequence]

Assigning personnel

Specify:

  • responsible supervisor,
  • competent operators,
  • supporting roles and dependencies.

Review and approval workflows

  1. Submit draft for review.
  2. Reviewer returns comments or passes to approver.
  3. Approver signs off for live use.
  4. Publish to assigned teams.

Version history

Update RAMS when site conditions, sequence, equipment, or workforce competence changes. Keep old versions for traceability.

Exporting PDFs and employee acknowledgements

  1. Export approved RAMS to PDF for inductions and external sharing.
  2. Request acknowledgements from affected workers.
  3. Track completion and chase outstanding acknowledgements.

[SCREENSHOT: RAMS Acknowledgement Status]

Templates and best practices

Use templates for common tasks:

  • groundwork excavation,
  • internal fit-out,
  • scaffold access and work at height,
  • plant operations.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Keep method statements practical and site-specific.
  • Use clear action verbs, short steps, and explicit hold points.
  • Include emergency response and stop-work triggers.
  • Review RAMS during daily briefings for high-risk works.

Warnings / Important Notes

  • Never treat template RAMS as final without project-specific review.
  • Do not start high-risk work before approvals and acknowledgements are complete.
  • Update RAMS immediately when work conditions change.

FAQ

Who should approve RAMS?

A competent person with delegated authority under your company governance, typically Safety Officer or senior operations manager.

Can we duplicate RAMS from older projects?

Yes. Duplicate, then fully review hazards, controls, and method steps for the new site conditions.