RAMS Template for Builders: What You Need and How to Create One

RAMS for Builders: A Practical Guide

If you work on commercial sites, for main contractors, or on any project where CDM 2015 applies, you will be asked for RAMS. Risk Assessments and Method Statements are not just paperwork — they are a legal requirement and a condition of working on most sites. This guide explains what RAMS are, when you need them, and how to create them without wasting half a day.

What Are RAMS?

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. They are two separate documents that are almost always submitted together:

• Risk Assessment: Identifies the hazards involved in your work, who could be harmed, and the control measures you will put in place to reduce the risk.
• Method Statement: A step-by-step description of how the work will be carried out safely, including the sequence of operations, equipment, and competency requirements.

When Do Builders Need RAMS?

You will need RAMS in the following situations:

• Working on any CDM 2015 notifiable project (more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers, or exceeding 500 person-days)
• Working as a subcontractor for a main contractor — they will almost always require RAMS before you start
• Any work involving high-risk activities: working at height, hot works, confined spaces, asbestos, demolition
• Commercial or public sector projects — councils, schools, hospitals, offices
• When requested by the client, principal contractor, or CDM coordinator

Even on smaller domestic jobs, having basic risk assessments shows professionalism and protects you legally if something goes wrong.

What Should Your Risk Assessment Include?

A proper risk assessment covers:

• Activity description — what work is being done
• Hazards identified — falls, dust, manual handling, electricity, noise, etc.
• Who is at risk — your workers, other trades, the public, the client
• Existing controls — PPE, barriers, permits, training
• Risk rating — likelihood x severity (typically scored 1–5)
• Additional controls — what else you will do to reduce the risk
• Residual risk — the risk level after controls are applied

What Should Your Method Statement Include?

A method statement should be practical and site-specific. Include:

• Project details — site address, client, principal contractor
• Scope of works — clear description of what you are doing
• Sequence of operations — step-by-step work plan
• Plant and equipment — what tools and machinery you will use
• Materials — including any COSHH substances
• Competency — qualifications, CSCS cards, specific training
• Welfare arrangements — toilets, rest areas, first aid
• Emergency procedures — fire, accident, spill response
• Waste management — how waste will be segregated and removed

Common Mistakes in RAMS

• Copying generic templates without editing — site managers spot this immediately and will send them back
• Not making them site-specific — every site has different hazards and access constraints
• Missing COSHH data — if you use adhesives, sealants, or chemicals, include the safety data
• No signatures — RAMS should be signed by the person responsible and briefed to all operatives
• Not updating them — if the work changes, your RAMS need updating

How to Create RAMS Quickly

Writing RAMS from scratch takes hours. Most small builders either use outdated Word templates or pay a health and safety consultant. There is a faster way.

MyQS generates professional, site-specific RAMS using AI. You describe the work (or upload your quote), and it produces a complete risk assessment and method statement tailored to your project. It covers all the standard hazard categories and outputs a branded PDF you can send straight to the principal contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are RAMS a legal requirement for small builders?

RAMS are not specifically named in law, but the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to carry out risk assessments. Method statements are required under CDM 2015 for most construction work. In practice, you cannot work on any commercial site without them.

Can I use the same RAMS for every job?

No. RAMS must be site-specific. You can use a template as a starting point, but you must tailor the hazards, controls, and method to each project. Generic RAMS will be rejected by competent site managers.

How often should RAMS be reviewed?

Review your RAMS whenever the scope of work changes, a near-miss or incident occurs, or at least every 12 months for ongoing projects. All operatives should be briefed on any updates.

Generate site-specific RAMS in minutes, not hours.
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