A construction RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) is a combined document that identifies the hazards associated with a specific construction activity, assesses the risks, and sets out the safe working method to be followed. RAMS documents are required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) for all construction work and must be approved by the principal contractor before work begins. This guide provides real examples of construction RAMS for common activities including groundworks, scaffolding, excavation and roofing, and explains what makes a RAMS document compliant and acceptable to principal contractors.
What is RAMS in construction?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It is a single document that combines two essential elements: a risk assessment identifying the hazards, who is at risk, and the control measures required; and a method statement describing the step-by-step process for carrying out the work safely. In construction, RAMS documents serve as the primary communication tool between contractors, subcontractors and the principal contractor regarding how specific tasks will be carried out safely on site.
Under CDM 2015 Regulation 13(4), every contractor must plan, manage and monitor construction work to ensure it is carried out without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. A construction RAMS is the written evidence that this planning has taken place. Principal contractors typically require contractors to submit a RAMS document for every activity before permitting access to the site.
A construction RAMS is not the same as a generic risk assessment template. It must be specific to the work being done, the location, the equipment being used, and the people carrying out the task. Generic RAMS documents copied from previous projects without site-specific detail are routinely rejected.
Legal requirements for construction RAMS
CDM 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 impose clear duties on all parties involved in construction work. Under Regulation 8, contractors must not carry out construction work unless satisfied that the client is aware of their duties under CDM 2015. Under Regulation 13, contractors must plan, manage and monitor construction work to ensure it is carried out without risks to health and safety. A RAMS document is the practical tool for discharging this duty.
The principal contractor has a duty under CDM 2015 Regulation 12(2) to liaise with contractors and coordinate their activities. This includes ensuring that each contractor's RAMS document is compatible with the construction phase plan and does not introduce risks to others working on site. The principal contractor is entitled to refuse site access to any contractor who has not submitted an acceptable RAMS.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Beyond CDM 2015, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Section 2 places a general duty on every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. Section 3 extends that duty to non-employees who may be affected by the work. A construction RAMS demonstrates that the contractor has considered these duties in the context of the specific task.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR 1999), every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees and others. In construction, the risk assessment component of a RAMS document fulfils this requirement for the specific activity described. The findings must be recorded in writing if the contractor employs five or more people, though best practice is to record all construction RAMS regardless of company size.
What must a construction RAMS include?
A compliant construction RAMS document must include the following sections:
- Project details — project name, site address, client name, principal contractor, dates of work
- Contractor details — contractor company name, contact details, site supervisor name and mobile number, qualifications (CSCS, SSSTS, SMSTS as applicable)
- Scope of work — a clear description of the work activity covered by this RAMS (e.g. "Excavation for drainage runs using 3-tonne mini digger")
- Hazard identification and risk assessment — hazards identified, persons at risk, likelihood and severity ratings, existing control measures, residual risk rating
- Method statement — step-by-step description of how the work will be carried out, including plant and equipment to be used, sequence of operations, emergency procedures
- Control measures — specific actions to eliminate or reduce risks, applied in order of the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE)
- PPE requirements — minimum PPE for the activity (hard hat, high-vis, safety footwear, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection as applicable)
- Emergency arrangements — location of first aid kit, name of trained first aider, emergency contact numbers, evacuation routes
- Environmental considerations — dust suppression, noise control, waste disposal, pollution prevention
- Review and authorisation — name and signature of person who prepared the RAMS, name and signature of principal contractor representative who approved it, date
Many principal contractors provide their own RAMS template or portal system. Contractors must follow the format required by the principal contractor, but the content standards remain the same.
Example 1: RAMS for groundworks and excavation
Activity description
Excavation of foundation trenches using 5-tonne excavator with toothed bucket. Maximum excavation depth 1.8 metres. Works to be carried out in accordance with drawings ref. 2024/GW/01. Duration: 3 days.
Hazards identified
- Contact with underground services (electric, gas, water, telecoms)
- Collapse of trench sides / unsupported excavation
- Persons or vehicles falling into excavation
- Plant overturn on sloping or unstable ground
- Striking overhead power lines with excavator arm
- Manual handling of trench support equipment
- Noise and vibration from plant
- Mud and debris on highway causing slip hazard
Control measures
- Underground services — CAT and Genny survey carried out before excavation begins, service drawings obtained from utility companies, trial holes hand-dug in areas of uncertainty, safe digging procedures (HSG47) briefed to machine operator and banksman
- Trench collapse — excavation not to exceed 1.2m depth without trench support, proprietary trench boxes or hydraulic struts installed where depth exceeds 1.2m, no person to enter unsupported excavation deeper than 1.2m, daily inspection by competent person (record kept), spoil to be placed minimum 1.5m from edge of excavation
- Falls into excavation — excavation perimeter fenced with Heras-type fencing and hazard tape, pedestrian walkways maintained clear of excavations, vehicle exclusion zone marked with cones and barriers, night-time lighting if work extends beyond daylight hours
- Plant overturn — ground conditions assessed before positioning plant, excavator to work on level ground, outriggers deployed if fitted, 360-degree exclusion zone enforced (minimum 5m radius), banksman present when working near edges
- Overhead power lines — overhead line identified at 4.2m height on north boundary, goal posts erected to provide physical barrier, excavator boom restricted to maximum height of 3.5m using mechanical stop
- Manual handling — mechanical lifting equipment (telehandler) used for trench sheets and struts, team lift for items over 20kg where mechanical means not practicable
- Noise — white noise reversing alarms fitted to all plant, hearing protection (Class 4 ear defenders) worn by all personnel within 10m of running plant
- Mud on highway — wheel wash facility installed at site exit, road sweeper deployed twice daily during excavation phase, signs warning of site traffic
Method statement
Step 1: Site induction completed for all operatives. CAT and Genny survey results reviewed. Service drawings marked on ground with spray paint.
Step 2: Heras fencing erected around excavation zone. Vehicle exclusion zone established.
Step 3: Excavator positioned on firm, level ground. Pre-use checks completed (oil, fuel, hydraulics). Banksman briefed and in high-vis with two-way radio.
Step 4: Trial hole hand-dug to 1m depth at start position to confirm no services. Excavation commences under banksman supervision.
Step 5: Spoil placed minimum 1.5m from edge. Excavation depth monitored continuously — work stops at 1.2m for installation of trench support.
Step 6: Trench support installed (hydraulic struts or trench box) before any person enters excavation. Support equipment inspected daily by site supervisor (record signed).
Step 7: Excavation continues to formation level. Formation inspected by structural engineer before concrete pour commences.
PPE requirements
Hard hat (EN 397), high-visibility vest (Class 2 EN ISO 20471), safety footwear with steel toecap and midsole (EN ISO 20345 S3), gloves (EN 388 Level 2), hearing protection when within 10m of plant (Class 4 ear defenders EN 352-1).
This example demonstrates compliance with CDM 2015 Regulation 13, Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 Regulation 12 (excavations), and HSE guidance document HSG47: Avoiding danger from underground services.
Example 2: RAMS for scaffolding erection
Activity description
Erection of independent scaffold to front elevation of two-storey residential property. Maximum platform height 6.0 metres, three working lifts, full edge protection throughout. Scaffold design by Competent Person (CISRS Advanced Scaffolder). Duration: 1 day erection, 6 weeks in situ, 1 day dismantle.
Hazards identified
- Falls from height during erection and dismantle
- Materials falling from scaffold (tubes, fittings, boards)
- Scaffold collapse due to inadequate foundation or ties
- Manual handling of scaffold components (tubes 6.4m length, 17kg each)
- Striking overhead cables with scaffold tubes
- Public access to incomplete scaffold
- Adverse weather (high winds affecting stability during erection)
Control measures
- Falls from height — scaffolders hold CISRScard (minimum), collective fall protection (guardrails and toe boards) installed as work progresses, no work above 2m height without edge protection in place, scaffold inspected by competent person after erection and weekly thereafter (SG4:15 compliance), handover certificate (TG20:13 format) issued before use by others
- Falling materials — public exclusion zone (minimum 3m from base) maintained with barriers and signage, debris netting installed to lift 2 and above, brick guards fitted to all working platforms, toe boards minimum 150mm height, tools tethered when working above ground level, lift operations supervised by appointed person
- Scaffold collapse — base plates on timber sole plates (225mm × 38mm minimum), ground conditions inspected (no soft spots, drainage away from base), ties installed at maximum 4m horizontal and 4m vertical intervals (facade drilling approved by client), wind loading calculated per BS 5975, loading bays marked with maximum load notices (3.5 kN/m²)
- Manual handling — tubes delivered to base by lorry-mounted crane, team lift (two persons) for 6.4m tubes, mechanical hoist (gin wheel) used to raise boards and fittings to upper lifts
- Overhead cables — no overhead cables within working radius, confirmed by site survey
- Public access — scaffold base protected with anti-climb sheeting to 2m height, all ladders removed from scaffold at end of each shift, site compound locked overnight
- Adverse weather — erection suspended if wind speed exceeds 12 m/s (Beaufort scale Force 6), scaffold inspected after any event likely to affect stability (high wind, impact, structural alteration)
Method statement
Step 1: Scaffold design reviewed. All materials and equipment checked against design schedule. Exclusion zone established.
Step 2: Base plates positioned on sole plates at 2m centres (longitudinal) and 1.3m (transverse). First lift standards erected and secured with ledgers and transoms.
Step 3: Temporary bracing installed. Guardrails (950mm and 470mm height) and toe boards (150mm height) fitted to first lift. Access ladder installed inside scaffold.
Step 4: Second lift erected. Facade ties drilled and installed at 4m horizontal spacing. Debris netting fixed.
Step 5: Third lift (working platform) erected. Full edge protection and toe boards installed. Loading bay signage fixed.
Step 6: Final inspection by CISRS Advanced Scaffolder. Handover certificate completed (TG20:13 format). Weekly inspection regime briefed to client.
PPE requirements
Hard hat with chin strap (EN 397), high-visibility long-sleeve top (Class 3 EN ISO 20471), safety harness with double lanyard (EN 361 / EN 355) when working without collective protection, safety footwear (S3), gloves (EN 388), safety glasses when drilling ties.
This example demonstrates compliance with Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 6 (avoidance of risks from work at height), CDM 2015 Regulation 13, and industry standards TG20:13 (NASC) and SG4:15 (preventing falls in scaffolding operations).
Example 3: RAMS for roofing works (pitched roof)
Activity description
Replacement of concrete roof tiles on pitched roof (35-degree pitch), two-storey domestic property. Existing tiles stripped and replaced with new interlocking concrete tiles. Scaffold access platform in place (erected by others). Duration: 5 days.
Hazards identified
- Falls from height (roof edge, fragile roof lights, holes through roof structure)
- Materials falling from roof (tiles, tools, waste)
- Manual handling of tile packs (25kg each)
- Cutting tiles — dust, noise, hand-arm vibration
- Adverse weather (high winds, rain making surface slippery)
- Slips on moss-covered existing tiles
Control measures
- Falls from height — scaffold edge protection inspected and confirmed compliant before access to roof, roof edge protection (scaffold guardrails at eaves level) maintained throughout works, crawling boards used when working on existing fragile tiles during stripping phase, no lone working on roof, minimum two roofers present at all times, safety harness and lanyard available for emergency use only (collective protection is primary control)
- Fragile roof — all existing roof lights marked with warning signs before work starts, alternative walkways planned to avoid roof lights, roof lights protected with covers (minimum 150kg load capacity) when within 2m of working area
- Falling materials — exclusion zone maintained at ground level (minimum 3m), debris chute installed from scaffold to skip, tiles lowered in controlled manner using rope and bucket, tools tethered to prevent dropping, toe boards and brick guards on scaffold platform
- Manual handling — tiles lifted to scaffold working platform using mechanical hoist (electric), tile packs broken down into smaller loads (maximum 15kg per lift) before carrying to roof, team lift for battens and felt rolls
- Tile cutting — electric tile cutter used (110v via transformer), dust extraction attachment fitted, hearing protection (Class 5 ear muffs) and FFP3 dust mask worn during cutting, anti-vibration gloves worn, cutting work time-limited to maximum 2 hours per operative per day
- Adverse weather — weather forecast checked each morning (Met Office or equivalent), work suspended if wind speed forecast to exceed 12 m/s or persistent rain expected, emergency tarpaulin available to weather-proof roof if work must stop mid-phase
- Slips on roof surface — soft-soled footwear worn (no hard leather soles), moss and debris cleared from working area before commencing, roofing felt laid progressively as tiles stripped to provide non-slip working surface
Method statement
Step 1: Scaffold inspected (weekly inspection certificate checked). Edge protection confirmed in place. Exclusion zone and signage established at ground level.
Step 2: Mechanical hoist positioned and tested. Materials lifted to scaffold working platform (tiles, battens, felt, nails). Ground-level storage area kept clear.
Step 3: Roof access via scaffold ladder. Crawling boards positioned on existing tiles. Existing tiles carefully removed in controlled sequence (start at ridge, work down to eaves).
Step 4: Existing battens removed. Roof structure inspected for defects. New breathable roof felt laid and secured.
Step 5: New treated battens fixed at specified gauge. Tiles laid from eaves upwards. Each tile clipped or nailed in accordance with manufacturer's fixing specification.
Step 6: Ridge tiles bedded on mortar. Verges pointed. All waste removed via debris chute to skip. Site cleared daily.
PPE requirements
Hard hat with chin strap (EN 397), high-visibility vest, safety footwear with soft rubber sole (SRC slip rating EN ISO 20345), gloves (general work EN 388 + anti-vibration EN ISO 10819 for cutting work), knee pads (EN 14404 Type 2 Level 1), safety glasses (EN 166) when cutting, hearing protection (Class 5) when cutting, FFP3 dust mask (EN 149) when cutting or working in dusty conditions.
This example demonstrates compliance with Work at Height Regulations 2005, CDM 2015 Regulation 13, and Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (assuming pre-work asbestos survey confirmed no asbestos-containing materials present).
Free construction RAMS template (Word format)
We provide a free downloadable construction RAMS template in Microsoft Word format that includes all the sections required by principal contractors. The template includes guidance notes in each section to help you complete it correctly. However, a template is only the starting point — you must tailor it to the specific activity, site conditions, plant and equipment, and workforce involved in your project. Generic, untailored RAMS documents are routinely rejected by principal contractors and do not meet the legal requirement for a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3.
For a faster, more reliable approach, generate a complete construction RAMS in under 2 minutes using Anyrisks. Simply describe the activity, location, equipment and any site-specific hazards, and receive a fully written RAMS document in PDF and editable Word format (£29).
What principal contractors look for in a RAMS
Principal contractors review hundreds of RAMS documents each month. They reject documents that are generic, copied from previous projects without adaptation, or lacking in site-specific detail. A compliant RAMS that will be accepted first time includes:
- Specific detail — names of plant (e.g. "5-tonne Kubota excavator KX057" not "excavator"), specific hazards identified for this site (e.g. "overhead 11kV power line on north boundary at 4.2m height" not "overhead services may be present"), names and contact numbers of site supervisor and emergency contacts
- Hierarchy of controls applied — demonstrating that higher-order controls (elimination, engineering) have been considered before relying on PPE. A RAMS that lists only PPE as the control measure for every hazard will be rejected.
- Competence demonstrated — qualifications and certifications listed (CSCS, SSSTS, SMSTS, CISRS, CPCS, PASMA, IPAF as applicable), plant certification and inspection records referenced, evidence that operatives have received task-specific training
- Emergency arrangements — clear statement of first aid provision, emergency contact numbers, nearest A&E hospital, assembly point in case of evacuation
- Interface with other contractors — acknowledgment of other trades working on site, coordination arrangements, who has priority in shared areas
- Environmental controls — dust suppression, noise management (especially in residential areas), waste disposal, pollution prevention (no washout of concrete or paint into drains)
Principal contractors may also require proof of insurance (employers' liability minimum £10 million, public liability minimum £5 million), health and safety policy, and evidence of previous similar projects before approving the RAMS.
Common mistakes in construction RAMS documents
- Generic copy-paste language — "all relevant precautions will be taken" without specifying what those precautions are. This is the most common reason for rejection.
- Omitting site-specific hazards — failing to mention an overhead power line, a fragile roof, a public footpath adjacent to the works, or a live railway line nearby. Site surveys must be thorough and the RAMS must reflect what is actually present.
- Relying on PPE as the primary control — without demonstrating why engineering or administrative controls are not practicable. PPE is the last resort in the hierarchy of controls.
- No method statement — providing only a risk assessment without a step-by-step method statement. RAMS means both documents, not just a risk assessment.
- Not updating the RAMS when conditions change — a RAMS written before the site survey may need to be revised once underground services are located or ground conditions assessed. Failure to update after a change is a breach of MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3(3).
- Incorrect or missing contact details — out-of-date phone numbers, incorrect site address, no named site supervisor. This suggests the document was copied from a previous project without checking.
How often must a construction RAMS be reviewed?
A construction RAMS must be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in the work activity, the site conditions, the plant or equipment being used, or the workforce. Under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3(3), an employer must review the risk assessment if there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid. Specific events that trigger a mandatory review include:
- An accident or near-miss related to the activity covered by the RAMS
- A change in the sequence or method of working
- Discovery of previously unknown hazards (e.g. unexpected underground services, contaminated ground)
- New plant or equipment brought onto site
- A change in workforce (new subcontractor, inexperienced operatives)
- Adverse weather affecting site conditions (prolonged rain causing ground instability)
The principal contractor may also require a RAMS to be reviewed and resubmitted if there is a significant delay in the project (more than 4 weeks between approval and commencement of the activity). Some principal contractors mandate that all RAMS documents are reviewed every 12 months regardless of whether the activity is still ongoing.
Generate a construction RAMS in 2 minutes
Creating a compliant construction RAMS from scratch typically takes 2–3 hours for an experienced site manager. Using a template speeds this up, but you still need to replace all the generic content with site-specific detail — and principal contractors can spot a template that has been filled in without proper thought.
Anyrisks generates a complete, site-specific construction RAMS document in under 2 minutes. You describe the activity, the location, the plant and equipment, the site hazards, and any constraints (working hours, access restrictions, proximity to public areas). The system produces a fully written RAMS document with hazard identification, risk ratings, control measures applied in the correct order of the hierarchy of controls, a step-by-step method statement, PPE requirements, and emergency arrangements. The document is delivered as a PDF (for submission to the principal contractor) and an editable Word file (so you can make any final adjustments or add your company logo). Cost: £29.
The document cites the relevant UK legislation (CDM 2015, Work at Height Regulations 2005, MHSWR 1999, and sector-specific regulations), references industry standards where applicable (TG20:13 for scaffolding, HSG47 for excavations), and includes the specific detail that principal contractors expect. Thousands of UK contractors, subcontractors and sole traders use Anyrisks to produce RAMS documents that are accepted first time.
Related construction guides
For related topics, see: Construction risk assessments (general overview), Method statement guide (how to write a method statement), Risk assessment template (generic template for all industries), and Work at height risk assessment (detailed guide to working at height regulations and risk assessment).