RAMS for Tradespeople: How to Write a Risk Assessment & Method Statement

What is a RAMS and why do you need one?

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement — two separate documents that are usually combined into one. Together they explain:

• Risk assessment: What hazards exist on this job and what's the risk of harm from each
• Method statement: How you're going to do the work safely, step by step

A RAMS protects you legally (shows you thought about safety), satisfies clients who require them as a condition of work, and gives you a framework to brief anyone else on site.

The legal position for self-employed tradespeople

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers and self-employed people must assess risks to themselves and anyone who might be affected by their work (customers, the public, other workers on site). The assessment must be “suitable and sufficient.”

If you have five or more employees, you must record your risk assessments in writing. As a sole trader, there's no legal requirement to write it down — but you should, because:

• Clients, contractors and principal designers increasingly require written RAMS before allowing you on site
• A written record is your evidence of compliance if there's ever an incident
• The CDM Regulations 2015 require written documentation for most notifiable construction projects

What goes in a risk assessment

A risk assessment has five steps (the HSE's own framework):

1. Identify the hazards — what could cause harm on this job?
2. Decide who might be harmed and how — you, other workers, the homeowner, passers-by?
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on controls — likelihood × severity, then how to reduce it
4. Record your findings — write it down
5. Review and update — if conditions change mid-job

Risk is usually rated as Low / Medium / High based on the combination of likelihood and severity. High risks need strong controls; low risks may need only standard precautions.

What goes in a method statement

The method statement describes how you'll do the work — it's the “how” to complement the risk assessment's “what could go wrong.” Include:

• Sequence of work (the main steps in order)
• Materials and equipment being used
• Controls in place for each significant hazard
• PPE required at each stage
• Emergency procedures (who to call, where first aid kit is)
• Name of person responsible

A simple RAMS template for tradespeople

Hazards common to trade work (checklist)

Use this list to prompt your hazard identification:

• Manual handling
• Working at height
• Electrical hazards
• Power tools / machinery
• Dust and fumes (silica, asbestos, wood dust)
• Noise and vibration
• Slips, trips and falls
• Confined spaces
• Hot works (welding, cutting)
• Excavations and underground services
• Falling objects
• Chemical hazards (solvents, adhesives)
• Lone working
• Public and bystanders

How long to keep your RAMS

There's no statutory minimum retention period for RAMS, but keep them for at least 3 years after the job is complete — the standard limitation period for personal injury claims. If asbestos or other hazardous substances are involved, retain indefinitely.

What happens if something goes wrong without one

If a worker or member of the public is injured and you have no risk assessment, the HSE will treat this as a serious failing. You could face:

• Improvement or prohibition notices from the HSE
• Prosecution under HSWA 1974 — unlimited fines for breaches that cause harm
• Your public liability insurance may not pay out if you've breached your duty of care
• Civil liability for any injury caused

Do I need RAMS for domestic work?

For domestic jobs (working in someone's home), there's typically no contractual requirement for a written RAMS — the homeowner isn't going to ask you for one. But you still have the legal duty to assess risks, and it's good practice to keep a brief note of your assessment, especially for higher-risk work like roofing, gas, or electrical.

For commercial work, refurbishments in occupied buildings, work for housing associations, or any job on a CDM-notifiable project, a written RAMS will almost certainly be required. It's worth having a standard template ready that you can quickly adapt for each job.