CONTRACTOR SAFETY & COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK

RAMS: Risk Assessments & Method Statements for ContractorsA comprehensive UK operational guide.

Everything professional trade contractors need to know about preparing, reviewing, and managing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for commercial facilities management and construction clients.

8 min read•Updated 2026• UK Commercial FM Standard

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Executive Summary

RAMS is the gold standard for communicating safe systems of work to commercial clients. Combining quantitative hazard assessment with detailed sequential methods ensures statutory compliance and smooth site access.

Authoritative UK facilities management guidance. Non-legal operational standard.

01 // DEFINITION & PURPOSE

What is a RAMS Document?

In UK facilities management and construction, RAMS is an acronym for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It represents a paired package of safety documentation created prior to undertaking any high-risk, intrusive, or commercial maintenance task.

Rather than treating safety as an abstract compliance exercise, a well-structured RAMS bridges the gap between statutory obligations and real-world site execution. It answers two fundamental questions for clients, building managers, and site engineers:

DEEP GUIDEWhat Are RAMS? →Statutory legal basis & meaning STEP-BY-STEPHow to Write RAMS →11-step authoring workflow PROCEDUREMethod Statements →Safe Systems of Work guide

PART 1: THE RISK ASSESSMENT

What could go wrong?

Identifies hazards (e.g. electrical shock, falls from height, toxic fumes, manual handling strains), assesses who is at risk, and specifies control measures to reduce residual risk to an acceptable level.

PART 2: THE METHOD STATEMENT

How will we do the job safely?

Provides a clear, step-by-step sequential breakdown of how the task will be carried out, including access arrangements, tool inspections, isolation protocols, PPE, and emergency plans.

02 // CLIENT EXPECTATIONS

What Facilities Management Clients Look For in Your RAMS

When an FM organisation such as EntireFM reviews a subcontractor's RAMS, the review desk is ensuring that the contractor understands the physical realities of the site and possesses the technical competence to safeguard building occupants, assets, and operatives.

Site-Specific Context vs. Generic Cut-and-Paste

The document must explicitly name the site, address, specific plant or equipment (e.g. AHU-02 on Roof Level), and account for surrounding building operations (such as occupied offices, schools, or retail units).

Clear Isolation and Permit Controls

Detailed procedures for electrical Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO), hot work permits, confined space entry, or rooftop access authorisations.

Competent Operative Allocation

Evidence that operatives assigned to the job hold relevant trade qualifications (e.g. F-Gas, Gas Safe, 18th Edition, IPAF, PASMA, CSCS).

Emergency Rescue & Environmental Plans

Actionable protocols for fire evacuation, first aid cover, chemical spill control, or rescue from height.

03 // DOCUMENT ANATOMY

Anatomy of a Professional RAMS Document

Every commercial RAMS package should follow a logical, 11-section structure that ensures nothing critical is overlooked:

Project & Site Details

Client name, site address, principal contractor, emergency contacts, date of works.

Scope of Works

Explicit, unambiguous description of the exact task to be performed.

Supervision & Responsibilities

Named lead engineer, appointed first aiders, safety supervisor contact numbers.

Hazard Identification & Matrix

5x5 severity vs likelihood risk ratings before and after control measures.

Specific Risk Controls

Physical controls, barriers, isolations, signage, and administrative procedures.

PPE Assessment

Mandatory personal protective equipment (safety footwear, eye protection, gloves, hi-vis).

Plant & Equipment Verification

Tools, access equipment (ladders/scaffolding/MEWP), calibration and PAT certificates.

Step-by-Step Method Sequence

Chronological narrative: Arrival -> Isolation -> Execution -> Re-commissioning -> Clean-down.

Emergency & First Aid Protocols

Site first aider, hospital location, spill response, evacuation muster point.

Environmental & Waste Disposal

Waste transfer notes, hazardous substance disposal, noise and vibration controls.

Operative Sign-Off Register

Printed names, signatures, CSCS/trade numbers, and date of briefing before work begins.

Download Full RAMS Template →Explore Risk Assessment Guide

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Questions about Contractor RAMS

Clear answers on statutory requirements, reviews, and FM client documentation standards.

What does RAMS stand for?↓

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It is a combined safety package that identifies the hazards associated with a job (the Risk Assessment) and details the exact, step-by-step safe procedure for completing the work (the Method Statement).

Are RAMS legally required in the UK?↓

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3), employers and self-employed contractors have a statutory duty to conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments. While the term 'Method Statement' is not explicitly written into UK statute, preparing safe systems of work is a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Principal Contractors and commercial FM clients almost universally require RAMS before issuing a permit to work or allowing contractors on site.

What is the key difference between a Risk Assessment and a Method Statement?↓

A Risk Assessment identifies hazards, evaluates who could be harmed and how, and defines the control measures required to mitigate that risk. A Method Statement translates those controls into practical, chronological instructions for the engineers or operatives performing the work (covering sequence, plant, PPE, isolations, and emergency procedures).

Can I use a generic or universal RAMS document for every job?↓

No. While contractors often maintain baseline template libraries for common tasks, a generic RAMS document that fails to reflect site-specific hazards (e.g. fragile roofs, asbestos locations, occupied commercial offices, restricted access, live services) is commonly rejected by FM compliance desks. RAMS must be reviewed and tailored to the actual physical site and scope.

Who is responsible for preparing and signing off RAMS?↓

The contractor performing the work is responsible for creating technically competent RAMS. A designated competent person (such as a qualified supervisor, H&S manager, or business owner) must author or approve the document. Furthermore, all operatives attending the site must read, acknowledge, and sign the RAMS before starting work.

How often should RAMS documents be reviewed and updated?↓

RAMS must be reviewed whenever site conditions change, new hazards emerge, scope expands, unforeseen plant is required, or following an incident or near miss. For long-term planned maintenance contracts, RAMS should be formally reviewed at least annually.

KNOWLEDGE ECOSYSTEM