Example RAMS for Construction (with Free Template Download)

A construction RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) is a combined document that identifies hazards on a construction site, assesses the risk of harm, and sets out the safe method for carrying out the work. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), principal contractors must ensure that construction work is planned, managed and monitored to prevent harm. A properly written RAMS is central to that duty. This guide provides real-world construction RAMS examples, explains what each section must contain, and provides a free template you can download and adapt.

What is a construction RAMS?

A RAMS is a two-part document. The risk assessment identifies hazards, who could be harmed, and the likelihood and severity of harm. The method statement sets out the step-by-step procedure for carrying out the work safely, including the sequence of operations, equipment to be used, competence requirements, emergency procedures, and the control measures from the risk assessment.

Construction RAMS are required under CDM 2015 Regulation 13, which places duties on contractors to plan, manage and monitor construction work. The principal contractor must ensure that no construction work begins unless reasonable steps have been taken to prevent unauthorised access, and suitable welfare facilities are provided from the start. A RAMS demonstrates that the work has been planned and that risks have been reduced so far as reasonably practicable.

Most principal contractors and main contractors will not allow subcontractors or specialist trades onto site without an approved, site-specific RAMS. Submitting a generic or poorly written RAMS will result in delays, rejection, and potentially being removed from the tender list.

Legal requirements for construction RAMS

Under CDM 2015 Regulation 4, clients have a duty to make suitable arrangements for managing a project, including ensuring that a construction phase plan is prepared before construction work begins. Regulation 12 requires the principal designer to prepare or commission a health and safety file for the project. Regulation 13 requires the principal contractor to plan, manage and monitor construction work, coordinate health and safety arrangements, and liaise with the principal designer.

Contractors must comply with CDM 2015 Regulation 8, which requires them to plan, manage and monitor construction work carried out under their control, and ensure workers under their control have appropriate skills, knowledge, training and experience. The practical expression of compliance with these duties is the construction RAMS.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR 1999) Regulation 3 requires all employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. For construction work, that assessment forms the risk assessment component of the RAMS. The method statement is the practical implementation of the findings of that assessment.

Where work involves specific high-risk activities, additional legal requirements apply. For example, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require all work at height to be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a manner that is so far as reasonably practicable safe. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require a plan of work before disturbing asbestos-containing materials. The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 require a safe system of work before entering a confined space. A construction RAMS must reference and incorporate these requirements where they apply.

Structure of a construction RAMS document

A construction RAMS typically follows this structure:

• Project details — project name, site address, principal contractor, start date, expected duration, site contact details
• Scope of work — a clear description of the work to be carried out, broken down into phases or tasks where appropriate
• Key personnel — names, roles, qualifications and contact details of the site manager, CSCS-carded operatives, first aiders, appointed person for lifting operations, etc.
• Risk assessment table — hazard, who is at risk, existing controls, risk rating, additional controls required, revised risk rating, responsible person
• Method statement — step-by-step description of how the work will be carried out, including the sequence, plant and equipment, PPE requirements, environmental controls, welfare arrangements, and emergency procedures
• Permits and notifications — any permits to work required (e.g. hot works, confined space entry, excavation near services), notifications to HSE under CDM 2015, asbestos surveys, statutory inspections
• Welfare and first aid — location of welfare facilities, drinking water, washing facilities, toilets, rest areas; location of first aid kit, name of appointed first aider
• Sign-off and review — signature of the person preparing the RAMS, signature of the principal contractor approving it, and the date of the next review

Each section must be specific to the project. Generic statements such as "appropriate PPE will be worn" or "all operatives will be competent" are not sufficient.

Example RAMS: groundworks and excavation

Project: Excavation for strip foundation, domestic extension, residential property
Scope: Excavate 600mm × 1,200mm trench to depth of 1.2m using 3-tonne mini excavator. Hand-dig within 500mm of known services.

Hazards identified: Underground services (gas, electric, water, telecoms), trench collapse, manual handling of heavy materials, contact with contaminated soil, vehicle movements on confined driveway, noise and vibration affecting neighbouring properties.

Risk assessment (extract):

Method statement (extract):

1. Erect Heras fencing around work area. Install Chapter 8 signage on public footpath.
2. Carry out CAT and Genny scan. Mark services. Obtain utility plans.
3. Position mini excavator. Ensure firm, level ground. Check hydraulic hoses for leaks.
4. Excavate to 1m depth using machine bucket. Groundworker to guide operator from safe position outside trench.
5. Hand-dig final 200mm to formation level. Use insulated tools within 500mm of services.
6. Inspect trench daily before entry. Record inspection in site diary.
7. Backfill trench in 300mm layers, compacting each layer. Reinstate surface to match existing.

PPE required: Hard hat (EN 397), high-visibility vest (Class 2), safety boots (EN ISO 20345 S3), gloves (general handling and cut-resistant for sharp spoil).

This example demonstrates specificity: the depth of the trench is stated, the equipment is named, the person responsible for inspection is identified, and the sequence is clear.

Example RAMS: scaffolding erection

Project: Independent scaffolding for external render repair, two-storey terraced house
Scope: Erect independent scaffold to 6m working height, 12m length, 5 lifts with toe boards and double handrails. Tie to structure at 4m horizontal and 4m vertical intervals.

Hazards identified: Falls from height during erection, materials falling onto public footpath, manual handling of scaffold tubes and boards, scaffold collapse due to inadequate ties or foundation failure, adjacent property occupants (noise, access obstruction).

Risk assessment (extract):

Method statement (extract):

1. Apply for temporary footpath closure (7 days notice to highways authority).
2. Erect Heras fencing and debris netting on public side. Install signage.
3. Inspect foundation — paving flags level and intact. Lay sole boards.
4. Erect first lift (2m) with standards at 2.4m centres. Install ledgers, transoms, guardrails and toe boards before progressing.
5. Install ties at window reveals using expanding bolts (torque checked). Tie spacing max 4m horizontal, 4m vertical.
6. Repeat lifts to 6m working height. Install brick guards on public-facing sides.
7. Inspect scaffold using TG20:13 checklist. Fix handover certificate and inspection record to scaffold leg.

PPE required: Hard hat, high-vis vest, safety harness (for ties above 2m), gloves, safety boots.

Note the reference to specific standards (BS 5973, TG20:13), the named competence requirements (CISRS cards), and the details of the tie arrangement. This level of detail is expected by principal contractors.

Example RAMS: electrical installation (commercial fit-out)

Project: Installation of sub-distribution board and final circuits, office fit-out, second floor
Scope: Install 400A TPN sub-distribution board fed from landlord's main panel. Install containment (trunking and conduit), pull cables, terminate at board and accessories, test and commission.

Hazards identified: Electric shock from existing live installation, work at height (ceiling voids, installing containment on walls above 2m), manual handling of distribution board (45kg), use of power tools (noise, dust, hand-arm vibration), fire risk from hot works (drilling into structure), lone working out of hours.

Risk assessment (extract):

Method statement (extract):

1. Attend site induction. Obtain permits: hot works, work at height, electrical isolation.
2. Set out containment routes on floor plan. Mark fire-rated wall penetrations for sealing after cable pull.
3. Erect tower scaffold for high-level trunking. Inspect using PASMA checklist.
4. Install steel trunking and PVC conduit. Drill and plug fixings (every 900mm). Seal fire-rated penetrations with Rockwool and intumescent mastic.
5. Pull cables using draw tape. Label at both ends using Brady printer.
6. Isolate landlord's supply under permit. Install sub-board tails. Terminate at landlord's panel and sub-board. Remove isolation lock.
7. Terminate final circuits at sub-board and accessories (sockets, switches, lights).
8. Test installation: continuity, insulation resistance (500V), polarity, earth fault loop impedance, RCD operation. Record results on BS 7671 Electrical Installation Certificate.
9. Energise circuits. Commission. Handover to client with O&M manual and test certificates.

PPE required: Safety boots, gloves (insulated for live working), safety glasses (drilling overhead), ear defenders (drilling), hard hat (where required by site rules).

This example shows how to integrate multiple regulatory regimes (Electricity at Work, Work at Height, Manual Handling, Fire Safety) into a single RAMS.

Example RAMS: demolition (internal strip-out)

Project: Strip-out of office partitions, suspended ceiling, mechanical and electrical services, prior to refurbishment
Scope: Remove plasterboard partitions, suspended ceiling tiles and grid, disconnect and remove light fittings, remove mechanical ductwork and diffusers. Load waste into skips for removal.

Hazards identified: Asbestos-containing materials (ceiling tiles, pipe lagging), electrical shock from live circuits, manual handling, dust and noise, falling materials, structural instability if load-bearing elements removed, waste handling (sharps, glass, contaminated materials).

Risk assessment (extract):

Method statement (extract):

1. Asbestos removal contractor completes ACM removal. Obtain clearance certificate. Display on site.
2. Electrician isolates supply and disconnects light fittings. Lock off isolation.
3. Erect temporary dust barriers. Install HEPA air filtration unit. Test negative pressure with smoke tube.
4. Remove suspended ceiling tiles and grid. Lower carefully to ground — do not drop.
5. Disconnect ductwork at joints. Remove diffusers. Cap open duct ends to prevent dust ingress.
6. Remove plasterboard partitions. Cut into manageable sections (max 1.2m × 2.4m). Load into skips. Segregate waste streams: plasterboard (recycling), metal studs (scrap metal), general waste.
7. Damp down work area at end of each day. Vacuum (H-class) floors and surfaces.
8. Remove dust barriers only after final clean and visual inspection by site manager.

PPE required: Hard hat, high-vis, safety boots, RPE (FFP3, fit tested), gloves (cut-resistant for metal handling), ear defenders (85dB+ zones).

This example shows how to manage asbestos risks (a common issue in demolition) and integrate multiple hazardous substances and noise controls into the RAMS.

How to write a construction RAMS from scratch

If you are writing a RAMS from scratch, follow these steps:

1. Visit the site. Do not write a RAMS from a desk. Walk the site, identify access routes, welfare facilities, adjacent hazards, ground conditions, overhead cables, existing services, and constraints.
2. Break the job into phases. A complex job (e.g. demolition and rebuild) should have separate RAMS for each major phase: demolition, groundworks, foundations, frame erection, roof, services, finishes.
3. Identify hazards specific to the site and task. Use the examples above as a guide, but do not copy them word for word. A RAMS for groundworks in London clay is different from one in sandy soil prone to collapse.
4. Apply the hierarchy of controls. For each hazard, work through: Can I eliminate it? Can I substitute a safer method? Can I use engineering controls (barriers, guarding)? Can I use administrative controls (training, supervision)? Only then rely on PPE.
5. Be specific about competence. Do not write "all operatives will be competent". State: "Machine operator holds CPCS A09 card (expires 12/2026). Banksman holds CPCS A40 card. Site manager holds SSSTS (valid until 06/2025)."
6. Reference the correct regulations. The principal contractor will expect to see references to CDM 2015, Work at Height Regulations 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, COSHH, Manual Handling Regulations, and any sector-specific regulations. Do not invent regulation numbers — check them.
7. Include a method statement sequence. Number the steps. Make it clear what happens first, second, third. Someone unfamiliar with the job should be able to follow the sequence.
8. Include emergency procedures. What happens if someone is injured? Where is the first aid kit? Who is the first aider? What is the emergency assembly point? How do you contact emergency services from the site?
9. Get it reviewed before submission. Have a competent person (CSCS, SMSTS, NEBOSH qualified) review your RAMS before you submit it. Errors and omissions will result in rejection and project delays.

Free construction RAMS template download

We provide a free construction RAMS template that you can download as a Word document and customise for your projects. The template includes:

• Project details section with all required fields
• Pre-populated risk assessment table covering the most common construction hazards
• Method statement structure with step-by-step guidance
• Space for competence records, permits, and emergency contacts
• Inspection and sign-off section

The template is designed to meet the requirements of most principal contractors and complies with CDM 2015. However, remember that every site and every task is different — you must adapt the template to reflect the actual work you are doing and the actual site conditions. A template is a starting point, not a finished document.

For an even faster route to a compliant, site-specific RAMS, use the Anyrisks instant RAMS generator. Describe your project in plain English, and receive a complete, professionally written RAMS document in under 2 minutes. The document is delivered as a PDF and an editable Word file for £29. Thousands of UK contractors use Anyrisks to meet principal contractor requirements without spending hours writing from scratch.

Common mistakes in construction RAMS

• Generic, copy-and-paste language. Principal contractors reject RAMS that could apply to any site. If your RAMS says "appropriate controls will be in place" without stating what those controls are, it will be sent back.
• No site-specific detail. If your RAMS does not mention the site address, the specific plant and equipment you will use, or the names and qualifications of key personnel, it is not site-specific.
• Ignoring principal contractor requirements. Many principal contractors have their own RAMS template or a minimum required content list. Failing to use their template or omitting required sections will result in rejection.
• Incorrect or missing legislation references. Stating "Health and Safety Act" without citing the specific regulation, or citing regulations that do not apply to the work, undermines the credibility of the document.
• No competence records. Stating that workers are competent is not enough. You must provide evidence: CSCS card numbers, CPCS licence numbers, training certificates, expiry dates.
• No emergency procedures. A RAMS without a clear emergency plan (first aid, fire, major injury, structural collapse) is incomplete.
• No review or sign-off. A RAMS must be signed by the person who prepared it and approved by the principal contractor or site manager. An unsigned RAMS is not valid.

How often should a construction RAMS be reviewed?

Under CDM 2015 Regulation 15, the construction phase plan (which incorporates the RAMS) must be reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure that it continues to be sufficient. A RAMS must be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in the work, a change in site conditions, an accident or near-miss related to the activity, or a change in personnel or equipment.

As a minimum, a RAMS should be reviewed weekly on long-duration projects, or at the start of each new phase of work. The review should be documented — typically a note on the RAMS document itself stating "Reviewed [date], no changes required, signed [site manager]" or "Reviewed [date], updated to reflect revised scaffold design, signed [site manager]".

Who is responsible for writing the construction RAMS?

Under CDM 2015 Regulation 13, the principal contractor is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring construction work. In practice, the principal contractor will require each specialist contractor or subcontractor to prepare a RAMS for their own scope of work. The principal contractor reviews and approves each RAMS before work begins.

For smaller projects with no principal contractor, the contractor carrying out the work is responsible for preparing the RAMS. On domestic projects not notifiable to HSE, the contractor is still required to comply with MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3 (duty to assess risks) and the relevant provisions of CDM 2015 that apply to all contractors.

Larger contractors often employ a health and safety advisor or consultant to write RAMS documents. Smaller contractors may write their own, or use a template service or generator like Anyrisks. Regardless of who writes the document, the contractor remains legally responsible for its accuracy and for implementing the controls it describes.

Further reading

For related topics, see: Construction risk assessments, RAMS template (free download), What is a method statement?, Construction risk assessment template, and AI risk assessment generator.