Free RAMS Template for UK Construction
A complete Risk Assessment and Method Statement template, ready to print and use on site. Updated for CDM 2015.
A RAMS - Risk Assessment and Method Statement - is the document that sets out what could go wrong on a specific activity, how likely and severe that risk is, what controls are in place to reduce it, and the exact method in which the work will be carried out. On any construction site operating under CDM 2015, a RAMS is required before any activity that carries significant risk, and most principal contractors require one for every trade activity as a condition of entry.
The template below covers all required elements: hazard identification and scoring, control measures, residual risk, emergency arrangements, PPE requirements, and worker sign-off. Fill in every field for the specific activity and site before using it. A RAMS with generic entries or blank fields is not a compliant document - it is a record that the risk was not properly assessed. Print it, adapt it in Word or Google Docs, or use it as the basis for a digital RAMS process.
RAMS Template
Risk Assessment & Method Statement
CDM 2015 compliant — Complete all fields before submitting for approval
Describe the specific work activity covered by this RAMS, including the scope of work, the sequence of operations, plant and equipment to be used, and any relevant site conditions.
Enter a clear description of the activity. Be specific about location on site, sequence of tasks, plant and equipment involved, number of workers, and any work in proximity to existing structures, services, or other trades.
Continue if required.
Risk Rating = Likelihood x Severity. Score 1 (low) to 3 (high) for each. Rating of 6-9 = high risk, action required. Residual risk is the rating after controls are applied.
| Activity / Task | Hazard | Who is at Risk | Likelihood (1-3) | Severity (1-3) | Risk Rating | Control Measures | Residual Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.g. Excavation work | Collapse of excavation sides | Operatives, adjacent workers | 2 | 3 | 6 | Battering or shoring of excavation sides. Inspection by competent person before each entry. Barriers on all sides. No entry without supervisor present. | 2 |
| e.g. Use of disc cutter | Flying debris, dust, noise | Operatives, public, nearby workers | 2 | 2 | 4 | Screened work area. Dust mask (FFP3), eye and ear protection mandatory. Guard fitted and inspected before use. No public access within 6m. | 2 |
Add additional rows as required. Every identified hazard must appear in this table. Do not carry over rows from a previous RAMS without verifying they apply to this specific activity and site.
Procedure if a worker is injured: Stop work in the immediate area. Call the site emergency number above. Do not move the injured person unless there is immediate risk of further harm. Keep the area clear. The first aider will attend and will take charge of the casualty until the emergency services arrive if required.
Procedure if a fire is discovered: Raise the alarm immediately using the site alarm system. Do not attempt to fight the fire unless trained, equipped, and it can be done without personal risk. Proceed to the muster point. Do not re-enter until authorised by the fire marshal.
Tick all PPE required for this activity. The list below includes the site-wide minimum and any additional requirements for this specific task. All workers must wear the required PPE before starting work.
Where specialist PPE is required (e.g. FFP3 respirator, EN374 chemical gloves), specify the standard in the activity description above. Workers arriving without required PPE must not begin work.
Prepared by
Reviewed and approved by (Principal Contractor)
Worker Acknowledgements
I confirm that I have read and understood this Risk Assessment and Method Statement. I agree to follow the method of work and control measures described above. I understand that any deviation from this document must be agreed with the supervisor before work continues.
| No. | Print Name | Company | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
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| 8 |
If more than 8 workers are required to sign, attach additional acknowledgement sheets referencing this document's version number and date.
How to use this template
- Complete the header fields for the specific activity and site. A RAMS cannot be generic. The project name, site address, and contractor details must match the actual job. The review date should reflect when the RAMS will be reassessed - typically when site conditions change or a new phase of work begins. Never carry over a RAMS from one project to another by changing only the date.
- Identify every hazard - including the obvious ones. The hazard table is the legal core of the document. Courts and HSE inspectors will scrutinise it closely after an incident. If a hazard is not in the table, the inference is that it was not considered. Include hazards that may seem routine: manual handling, slips, trips, dust, noise, hand-arm vibration. Score likelihood and severity honestly - do not score everything low to produce a low risk rating. The purpose of the table is to demonstrate that risk was properly considered, not to produce paperwork.
- Fill in emergency arrangements with site-specific details. "See site manager" is not an emergency contact. "Nearest A&E" is not a hospital name and address. The emergency section must contain actual information a worker could use in a crisis - a specific phone number, a specific person's name, and a specific route to the nearest A&E. These fields must be updated every time a worker uses this RAMS on a different site.
- Obtain all signatures before work starts. The RAMS must be prepared, approved by the principal contractor, and signed by every worker who will carry out the activity before work begins. A signed RAMS produced after an incident carries significantly less weight than one that was clearly completed in advance. The date and version number on the document must precede the start of work. If the scope of work changes, produce an updated RAMS and obtain fresh signatures.
Replace paper RAMS with digital sign-off
AttendIQ lets workers read and sign RAMS on their phone before they start work. Records are stored automatically against each worker's profile, with timestamp and version control built in.