Risk Assessment and Method Statement | RAMS Template
Download Safeti’s free RAMS Template example (Risk Assessment and Method Statement); add your project detail to sections such as Sequence of Works, Materials, PPE, Control Measures and Communication.
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The difference between risk assessment and method statement documents is quite simple.
A risk assessment outlines the hazards and risk control measures for a task/activity, and a method statement details the steps you will take to carry out that particular task or activity.
The two can be combined to form a ‘RAMS’ document.
Whilst risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) are often referred to in tandem, method statements may be used as standalone documents. Also, often a RAMS Template document incorporates both risk assessment and method statement aspects.
They are similar to Work Instructions (WI), Safe Working Procedures (SWP) and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW).
What is a Method Statement?
A method statement is a management document that outlines how a job will be carried out.
The method statement should describe, in logical steps, the specific actions that need to be taken to complete the task safely.
It is usually created by the person or group of people that are managing and/or conducting the work.
Don’t forget to download our free Method Statement template below to use with this guide, and check out our full list of free Health and Safety Training courses.
Why is a Method Statement useful?
Primarily, it is beneficial to help educate and inform those carrying out the work.
If created properly, the document should reflect that you have thoroughly considered the process, managed the risks, and provided suitable plant and equipment for the activity. It also satisfies the requirement to provide adequate information and training to employees.
Equally, it gives employees the opportunity to highlight any missing steps or additional resources that they may require to carry out the work.
Furthermore, a suitably detailed and descriptive method statement is a demonstration of your company’s competence to complete a specific piece of work. Risk assessments and method statements are very often required as part of pre-qualification and tendering processes across many industries, particularly construction.
If your business completes tasks with significant risk on a regular basis, it’s extremely valuable (and legally compliant) to create professional risk assessments and method statements for both your employees and your clients.
Both should be reviewed as and when significant changes to the job or technique being used should occur. The relevant stakeholders should then be sufficiently briefed on these changes.
Linking your Risk Assessment and Method Statement
Risk assessments and method statements should compliment each other – that’s why we have them together in a simple RAMS template download.
The information in a method statement should be directly relevant and relatable to the findings of your risk assessment.
If the two documents exist for one activity, they should align and not conflict with one another.
For example, let’s say that you have found the use of ladders for working at height is not acceptable for a planned task via your risk assessment. You must make sure that the alternative strategy e.g. use of a mobile scaffold, is reflected in how you are proposing to carry out the work.
When you update your method statement, make sure that the corresponding risk assessment is updated to align, and vice versa.
Don’t miss our Risk Assessment download pack and you can get trained on risk assessment with with our free online Risk Assessment Course.
When to use a Method Statement
A method statement should be used when it is necessary to outline the key steps required during a work activity or process.
It is usually used as a tool for non-standard or complex processes.
Even for simpler processes, it may be worthwhile to create a generic method statement.
The free method statement and risk assessment template (bottom of page) allows you to outline the critical elements of the work process, ensuring that those involved can be informed on the requirements & risk controls for the job. This helps to ensure the work can be carried out safely.
Who should write a Method Statement?
Anyone can be given responsibility to write a method statement. In construction, if you are a sub-contractor, you may be responsible for creating your own method statement.
If your company is managing a project with multiple contractors (i.e. Prinicipal or Main Contractor), then you may be primarily responsible for the co-ordination and communication of the method statements.
You may be thinking that you don’t know anything about the task. That’s OK, providing that you get hold of the right people to help you. Delegation for carrying out this function should be outlined as part of the Roles & Responsibilities section of your Health and Safety policy.
In other words, you’ll want to find those with the best understanding and competence around the task to help complete the risk assessment and method statement template (RAMS).
How to write a Method Statement
It is important that you keep your method statement as concise and simple as possible.
In certain cases, you may wish to also include diagrams or sketches if they would be useful for supervisors or operators to follow.
As your method statement is likely to be viewed by clients as well as workers, you should start your document with important general information as an introduction to the project.
Depending on the project, the method statement document may be a comprehensive work plan for your activity. Here’s an example of the information that may be contained in a method statement;
Section A: Basic Information
This can vary to what is appropriate to your business, but may include:
- Company Details
- The name of the project and its reference.
- A brief description of the task.
- Where the work is taking place.
- Estimated start and finish times for the activity (Dates).
- Names of relevant team members & contact details
Section B: Health & Safety Arrangements
Having outlined the basics, you can then include (where applicable):
- First aid procedures, including the qualified first aider/s on site
- Work permits such as the Permit to Work and any other legal requirements
- Minimum competence required for skilled operators e.g. plant operators
- Staff or site-specific training that may be required
- Key equipment that will be needed, e.g. telehandler, mobile crane, piling rig etc.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) needed (mandatory minimum and task-specific)
- Waste management arrangements
Part C: Sequence of Work / How the Task will be Carried Out
This section of the method statement should be the most thorough and detailed (but simple even for people to understand it).
It must clearly outline what hazards will be present during the work.
Considering these risks, you must give step-by-step instructions as to how the task should be carried out.
These control measures make sure all workplace practices are carried out safely by everyone.
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