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Method Statement and Risk Assessment (MSRA) Template

A free, printable MSRA template based on the HSE's five steps to risk assessment. Download it and fill it in yourself, or get a fully written, tailored version for £29 in under 2 minutes.

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Combines the risk assessment and method of work in one document

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Used by principal contractors to approve subcontractors before work starts

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Based on the HSE's five steps to risk assessment (INDG163)

Free Method Statement and Risk Assessment Template

Based on the HSE's five steps to risk assessment (INDG163). Print this page or save it as a PDF, then complete each row for your own workplace or activity.

Activity / Task	Hazard	Who Might Be Harmed	Existing Controls	Further Action Needed	Action By / Review Date

This is a blank starting point, not a completed assessment. It only satisfies your legal duty once every row has been filled in accurately for your own workplace and activities.

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What the law actually requires

Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to employees and others affected by their work. On construction sites, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 place additional duties on principal contractors to check that contractors have adequate arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring their work, which in practice means the principal contractor will ask to see your MSRA before you start.

A method statement and risk assessment is not just paperwork for a filing cabinet. It needs to reflect the actual task, actual site conditions, and the actual people carrying out the work. If you are not sure whether you need one at all for a particular job, see our guide on whether you need a risk assessment.

How it works

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Describe the job

Tell us the trade, task and site conditions in plain English, just as you would explain it to a site manager.

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We generate the MSRA

A fully written risk assessment and method statement is produced automatically, with the relevant hazards, controls and legislation.

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Download and submit

Receive an editable Word document and PDF, ready to submit to your principal contractor or keep on file.

Anyrisks vs Free Templates

	Free Template	Anyrisks Written For You
Cost	Free	£29
Time to complete	20 to 40 minutes of your own time	Under 2 minutes
Task-specific wording	You write it yourself	Written for your exact trade and task
Legislation citations	You add these	Included automatically
Site-specific method statement	You draft it yourself	Generated alongside the risk assessment
Ready for principal contractor sign-off	Only after careful completion	Formatted and ready to submit
Editable format	Depends how you saved it	Word document and PDF included
Best for	A single, straightforward job with time to spare	Contractors submitting RAMS regularly to principal contractors

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a method statement and risk assessment (MSRA)?

An MSRA is a single combined document that pairs a risk assessment (identifying hazards, who might be harmed, and controls) with a method statement (the step-by-step safe system of work). Principal contractors on construction sites almost always request one before allowing a subcontractor to start work, and it is often referred to together as "RAMS".

Is an MSRA a legal requirement?

There is no single law that names "MSRA" specifically, but Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of work activities. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, principal contractors must ensure contractors have adequate arrangements for managing health and safety, and in practice this means producing an MSRA before work begins.

Is a blank MSRA template legally sufficient on its own?

No. A blank or generic template only becomes a valid risk assessment once every section has been completed accurately for the specific task, site, workforce and equipment involved. Submitting a generic, unamended template to a principal contractor is one of the most common reasons RAMS packs are rejected before work is allowed to start.

What is the difference between a method statement and a risk assessment?

A risk assessment identifies hazards and the controls needed to reduce risk. A method statement describes the sequence of work activities and how those controls are applied in practice, step by step. An MSRA brings both into one document so a site manager or principal contractor can see the whole picture at once.

How long should an MSRA take to complete properly?

For a straightforward task with a competent person who knows the site, completing a template thoroughly typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. Complex or high-risk activities, or first-time sites, usually take longer because ground conditions, access, and other trades working nearby all need to be considered.

Do I need a new MSRA for every site or job?

Yes. Site conditions, access arrangements, nearby trades, and hazards change from job to job, so a method statement and risk assessment written for one site should not simply be reused for another without review and amendment.

Who should sign off an MSRA before work starts?

The document should be reviewed and approved by a competent person, typically a supervisor or manager with relevant knowledge of the task, and it is good practice for the principal contractor or client to countersign or formally accept it before work begins on site.

Also see: The Ultimate Guide To Risk Assessment · Do I Need A Risk Assessment · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · Risk Assessment Generator

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