Risk Assessment And Method Statement Template for England and Wales

A Risk Assessment And Method Statement (RAMS) is a safety document that combines hazard identification with detailed work procedures. You'll need this document to comply with England and Wales health and safety legislation and to show clients, principal contractors and insurers that you've thought through how a job will be carried out safely. The document serves two purposes: it systematically evaluates workplace risks, and it provides step-by-step instructions for safe task execution. This free template gives you a structured starting point you can adapt to your own activity and industry.

What goes into a RAMS document?

A complete RAMS is usually built from two linked parts. The risk assessment identifies the hazards, records who might be harmed and how, evaluates the likelihood and severity of each risk, and sets the control measures that reduce it. The method statement then describes how the work will actually be carried out, covering:

• the sequence of tasks
• equipment to be used
• personal protective equipment
• competence and training requirements
• emergency arrangements

Most templates also capture a project or site reference, the responsible people and their contact details, and a review date, so the document stays a live record rather than a one-off form.

When do you need this document?

You must prepare a RAMS document before commencing any work activity that poses potential risks to workers or the public. Construction projects specifically require this documentation under CDM Regulations 2015, regardless of project size or duration. Manufacturing operations, maintenance activities, and any work involving hazardous substances also necessitate comprehensive risk assessment and method statements. Additionally, many clients and insurance providers now mandate RAMS documentation before authorising work commencement, making it essential for contract compliance and business operations. Contractors delivering services on client sites will often be asked to submit a RAMS as a condition of the contract, so a well-drafted document supports both safety and the commercial relationship.

How do you carry out a risk assessment for a RAMS?

The Health and Safety Executive sets out a recognised approach you can follow step by step:

1. identify the hazards
2. decide who might be harmed and how
3. evaluate the risks and decide on control measures following the hierarchy of controls
4. record your findings
5. review the assessment regularly

Working through these steps in order keeps the assessment 'suitable and sufficient' and gives the method statement a clear basis. For related activities you can use the fire risk assessment template where fire hazards need their own separate document. If your work also involves handling personal data on site, set out how you protect it in a privacy policy.

Key legal considerations

Your RAMS document must demonstrate "suitable and sufficient" risk assessment as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This means identifying all reasonably foreseeable hazards, evaluating risk severity and likelihood, and implementing appropriate control measures following the hierarchy of controls. The document should clearly assign responsibilities to competent personnel, including principal contractors, site managers, and health and safety officers. Method statements must provide sufficient detail for workers to understand safe working procedures, emergency arrangements, and personal protective equipment requirements. Regular reviews and updates are essential, particularly when work conditions change or incidents occur.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you have legal duties to ensure workplace safety "so far as is reasonably practicable." The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 specifically require written risk assessments for employers with five or more employees. Construction activities fall under CDM Regulations 2015, which mandate detailed planning, coordination, and documentation throughout project lifecycles. COSHH Regulations 2002 impose additional requirements when your work involves hazardous substances, requiring specific control measures and health surveillance procedures. Failure to maintain adequate RAMS documentation can result in prosecution, unlimited fines, and potential imprisonment for senior management. The Health and Safety Executive actively enforces these requirements through inspections and investigations following workplace incidents.

Drafting a RAMS with GenieAI

Rather than piecing together a document from a generic guide or a spreadsheet tool, you can draft and review a RAMS with GenieAI, a legal agent that adapts the wording to your activity, site and sector. It flags gaps against your obligations and returns a ready-to-use document, so your team can get on site with confidence. For wider reading on health and safety obligations and contracting, browse the GenieAI blog and template library.