RAMS & Workplace Compliance

A RAMS is a combined Risk Assessment and Method Statement. The risk assessment identifies hazards and controls; the method statement sets out how the work is done safely, step by step. UK employers must record the significant findings of their risk assessment once they have 5 or more employees, and RAMS are the practical way most contractors and clients evidence that on higher-risk work.

RIDDOR covers work-related deaths, specified injuries (fractures beyond fingers and toes, amputations, loss of sight, and similar), injuries that stop someone working more than 7 consecutive days, dangerous occurrences, and defined occupational diseases. The deadlines are 10 days from the incident for most reports and 15 days for over-7-day injuries.

Every employer and self-employed person must assess the risks in their work. Once you employ 5 or more people, the significant findings must be recorded in writing. Below that, a written record is still recommended because it is the easiest way to prove that a competent risk assessment was actually done.

A risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, evaluating risk and choosing controls for a specific activity or workplace. A risk register is the live document that tracks those risks over time, with owners, review dates and residual scores, so directors and safety leads can see the whole risk picture in one place.