Risk Assessments and Method Statements

Activity organisers must prepare risk assessments (under statutory legislation) and method statements (RAMS) to clearly show how they are going to carry out the work safely.  The RAMS must be communicated and made available to everyone undertaking the activity.  It is a good idea for people undertaking the activity to sign to say that they have understood the content of the RAMS.

Conducting a risk assessment is not difficult or demanding.  It is a case of looking at the activity and identifying the hazards (anything that has the potential to do harm) and who may be harmed and how associated with it.  By gauging the likelihood that the hazard will do harm, and the severity of the harm caused, a risk rating can be identified. Measures to control the hazard may need to be put in place. If the risk rating is low, the activity can proceed. If it is medium more control measures should be considered and the activity monitored and supervised.  If the risk rating is high, then more control measures will be needed. Monitoring and supervision of the activity will be necessary and a permit to work system may be required before the activity can proceed.

Once completed the RAMS should be reviewed and updated should circumstances change. When carrying out the activity other hazards may be identified or proposed methods may be found to be inadequate necessitating revision of the RAMS.

Also: Look at the risk assessment advice for construction work in the Restoration Hub.