Risk Assessment Method Statement Template for Australia

A Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) is your essential safety management document that combines hazard identification, risk assessment, and safe work procedures into one comprehensive framework. Under Australian law, you must prepare a RAMS before starting any work activities that pose significant health and safety risks, ensuring full compliance with workplace safety legislation and protecting all personnel on site.

When do you need this document?

You need a RAMS when undertaking high-risk construction work, working with hazardous substances, operating heavy machinery, or conducting work in confined spaces. Principal contractors must prepare RAMS for complex projects involving multiple subcontractors, while site managers require them for daily work activities that could pose safety risks. Health and safety managers use RAMS to demonstrate compliance during safety audits, and project owners rely on them to ensure contractors meet their duty of care obligations. You'll also need a RAMS when regulatory authorities request evidence of systematic risk management or when entering new work environments with unfamiliar hazards.

Key legal considerations

Your RAMS must demonstrate systematic risk management by identifying all reasonably foreseeable hazards and implementing appropriate control measures following the hierarchy of controls. The document should clearly establish roles and responsibilities for all parties, including principal contractors, subcontractors, and workers, with specific accountability for safety management. You need to ensure consultation requirements are met by involving workers and safety representatives in the development and review process. The RAMS must include emergency procedures and incident response protocols, with clear communication channels established between all stakeholders. Regular review and updating mechanisms are essential, particularly when work conditions change or new hazards are identified during project execution.

Legal requirements in Australia

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, you have a primary duty of care to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks so far as reasonably practicable. Your RAMS must comply with the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, which require systematic risk management processes including hazard identification, risk assessment, and implementation of control measures. The document should align with Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice, particularly the guide on managing work health and safety risks, which provides practical guidance on risk assessment methodologies. You must ensure your RAMS follows ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management Guidelines where applicable, demonstrating best practice risk management principles. State and territory variations may apply, so verify specific requirements with your local work health and safety regulator to ensure full compliance with jurisdiction-specific obligations and enforcement policies.