Are RAMS a Legal Requirement in the UK?

Are RAMS a Legal Requirement in the UK?

Quick Answer

RAMS documents are not specifically named in UK health and safety law as a document that must be produced for every job.

However, UK law does require employers to assess and control risks arising from their work. In many situations, Risk Assessments and Method Statements are used together as RAMS to demonstrate how work has been properly planned and how identified risks will be controlled.

RAMS documents are also commonly required by clients, principal contractors and site managers before contractors are permitted to start work.

So, while there isn't a blanket legal requirement saying "you must have RAMS for every job", there are many situations where the assessments, planning and controls contained within RAMS are necessary.

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What Does UK Law Actually Require?

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a legal duty to assess risks to employees and anyone else who could be affected by their work.

A suitable risk assessment should identify:

• The hazards involved in the work

• Who could be harmed and how

• The level of risk

• The measures required to control those risks

If a business employs five or more people, the significant findings of its risk assessment must be recorded.

The important point is that the law focuses on identifying and controlling risk, rather than simply producing paperwork.

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Are Method Statements a Legal Requirement?

Method statements are slightly different.

For many construction activities, a method statement isn't specifically required by law. However, method statements are widely used to explain how work will be carried out safely and how the control measures identified during the risk assessment will actually be implemented.

There are also particular activities where arrangements must be recorded in writing. For example, arrangements for demolition, dismantling or structural alteration must be recorded in writing before work begins.

For other higher-risk or complex activities, a method statement can be an effective way of communicating the safe system of work to those carrying it out.

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Why Do Sites Ask for RAMS Documents?

Even where a RAMS document isn't specifically required by legislation, a client or principal contractor may still require one before allowing work to begin.

This is particularly common on:

• Construction sites

• Factories and manufacturing sites

• Schools

• Hospitals

• Commercial properties

• Industrial sites

• Large maintenance projects

RAMS allow the organisation managing the site to understand what you're going to do, what hazards your work introduces and how those risks will be controlled.

If RAMS are part of the site's contractor requirements, you may not be allowed to begin work until suitable documents have been submitted and reviewed.

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Does Having RAMS Automatically Make You Compliant?

No.

Simply having a RAMS document doesn't automatically mean the work is safe or compliant.

The document needs to reflect the actual job.

For example, RAMS should consider the actual:

• Work being undertaken

• Hazards

• Equipment and tools

• People who could be affected

• Working environment

• Control measures

• PPE requirements

Most importantly, the controls described in the RAMS document need to be followed when the work is carried out.

A generic document sitting in a folder doesn't control risk on site.

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Do Small Businesses and Sole Traders Need RAMS?

It depends on the work being undertaken and the applicable legal duties.

Having fewer than five employees does not simply remove the requirement to assess risks. The requirement to record significant findings applies to employers with five or more employees.

Clients may also require RAMS regardless of the size of your business.

This means a sole trader arriving at a commercial site could still be asked to provide suitable RAMS before being permitted to start work.

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Can a Client Legally Require RAMS?

A client or principal contractor can make suitable RAMS a requirement for carrying out work on their site or project.

This is why contractors sometimes encounter RAMS requirements even when they haven't previously produced them for similar work.

Different sites and organisations can have different contractor-management procedures.

It's therefore worth checking the client's requirements before arriving on site.

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What Happens If You Don't Have RAMS?

If RAMS have been requested and you don't provide them, you could potentially face:

• Refused site access

• Delayed work

• Having to prepare documentation before starting

• Missed deadlines

• Additional administration

• Damage to the client relationship

• Lost work opportunities

More importantly, failing to properly assess and control workplace risks can create a genuine health and safety issue.

RAMS shouldn't simply be viewed as paperwork required to get through the site gate. Their purpose is to help plan the work and communicate how it will be carried out safely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are RAMS required by law?

There isn't a blanket UK law requiring a document called "RAMS" for every job. However, employers have legal duties to assess and control workplace risks, and RAMS are commonly used to document and communicate how this will be achieved.

Is a risk assessment a legal requirement?

Employers are required to assess risks to employees and others who could be affected by their work. Businesses employing five or more people must record the significant findings.

Is a method statement a legal requirement?

Method statements are not generally a specific legal requirement for every construction activity, although they are widely used to plan and communicate safe working methods. Certain activities have more specific requirements for written arrangements.

Can I be refused access to site without RAMS?

Yes. If the client or principal contractor requires RAMS before work starts, you may not be permitted to begin until suitable documentation has been provided.

Do I need new RAMS for every job?

RAMS should reflect the work actually being undertaken. Similar documents may provide a useful starting point, but they should be reviewed and amended to account for the specific task, hazards, equipment, environment and control measures.

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Create Job-Specific RAMS in Around 2 Minutes

Preparing suitable RAMS doesn't have to mean spending hours writing documents or editing generic templates.

Safe Trade Solutions allows contractors to create bespoke, fully editable RAMS in around 2 minutes.

Enter the details of the work you're carrying out and the platform generates job-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements based on the information provided.

You can then review and edit the document, add your company branding and download your completed RAMS ready for use.

Spend less time creating paperwork and more time reviewing the things that actually matter for the job.

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