RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. In UK construction and high-risk work, RAMS are how organisations identify hazards, define controls, and explain how a task will be carried out safely — before work begins.
The hero above is the same structure users see on every RAMS in DocRide: risk ownership, activity title, live risk profile, readiness checks, and approval — all in one connected view.
Static documents vs a live operational platform
Traditional static RAMS
- Created once, filed away
- Copied between projects
- Disconnected from site activity
- Updated only after incidents or audits
- Hard to prove workers understood controls
DocRide live RAMS
- Built from real work activities
- Linked to hazards, controls and roles
- Connected to inspections and competence
- Revised when work or risk changes
- Evidence trail for compliance and audits
With DocRide, RAMS are not a paperwork exercise — they are the operational agreement between employer and workers about how work stays safe.
How DocRide RAMS are structured
DocRide does not store RAMS as isolated files. Each RAMS is a connected record built around an actual work activity, with every safety element linked in one system.
Work activity
Risk assessment
Hazards & controls
Method statement
Site implementation
Continual improvement
Activity-based risk assessment
RAMS start from how work is actually done — not generic templates. Hazards, risk levels, and control measures are specific to each task and site context.
Linked controls & responsibilities
Every control connects to a hazard. PPE, training, competence, equipment, and method steps are mapped to roles — so nothing important is missed or duplicated.
Method statements that workers use
Step-by-step safe methods of work are clear, practical, and tied to the same activity record — not buried in a separate document nobody reads.
Competence & training mapped
Competence requirements sit alongside the RAMS. When competence gaps appear, they surface in your command centre — not months later at an audit.
Inspections tied to controls
Compliance verification inspections check whether controls in the RAMS are actually in place on site — closing the gap between documentation and reality.
Living revision & evidence
When work changes, RAMS update with full change history. Incidents, audits, and inspection findings feed back into improvements — embedding the Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle.
What the RAMS hero tells you at a glance
- Risk ownership — who is accountable for this activity
- Risk profile — activity-level risk before and after controls
- Controls assurance — confidence that controls are effective
- Operational improvement — whether safety performance is improving
- Readiness checks — hazards, method, competence, and emergency arrangements complete
- Approval — who signed off the RAMS and when
Risk table
Below the hero, every RAMS includes a structured hazard matrix — the same table users work with inside DocRide, linking foreseeable risks, controls, and residual (ALARP) ratings.
RAMS table
Fall from roof leading to serious injury or fatality
Source: Working at height on pitched or flat roofs during covering installation
Pre-Risk
Likelihood
4
Severity
5
Risk Rating
20
Post-Risk
Likelihood
2
Severity
5
Risk Rating
10
Risk Controls
Use of edge protection systems (guardrails, netting)Engg.
Installation of secure scaffolding with safe accessEngg.
Mandatory use of fall arrest systems (harnesses, lanyards) when working near unprotected edgesPPE
Provision and use of safety footwear with good gripPPE
Regular inspection of working platforms and access equipmentAdmin
Residual explanation (ALARP)
Residual risk is ALARP due to robust collective and personal protective measures, regular inspections, and competent supervision.
Manual handling injury (e.g., back strain, sprains) from lifting materials
Source: Lifting and carrying roofing tiles, slates, tools, and equipment to and around the roof area
Pre-Risk
Likelihood
4
Severity
3
Risk Rating
12
Post-Risk
Likelihood
2
Severity
3
Risk Rating
6
Risk Controls
Use of mechanical aids (e.g., hoists, conveyors, wheelbarrows) where feasibleEngg.
Break down loads into smaller, manageable weightsAdmin
Provide manual handling training covering correct lifting techniquesAdmin
Ensure adequate space for safe movement and liftingAdmin
Rotate tasks to avoid prolonged strenuous activityAdmin
Residual explanation (ALARP)
Residual risk is ALARP due to the use of mechanical aids, training in safe techniques, and task management.
Injury from falling materials or tools
Source: Materials or tools dropped from height during installation or movement
Pre-Risk
Likelihood
3
Severity
4
Risk Rating
12
Post-Risk
Likelihood
1
Severity
4
Risk Rating
4
Risk Controls
Establish exclusion zones below the work areaAdmin
Secure materials and tools to prevent accidental dropping (e.g., tool lanyards, secure stacking)Admin
Use toe boards on scaffolding and working platformsEngg.
Provide hard hats for personnel below the work areaPPE
Clear communication protocols for overhead workAdmin
Residual explanation (ALARP)
Residual risk is ALARP due to exclusion zones, securement of items, and use of PPE where necessary.
Exposure to Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs)
Source: Disturbance of ACMs present in older roof structures (e.g., insulation, tiles, felt)
Pre-Risk
Likelihood
2
Severity
5
Risk Rating
10
Post-Risk
Likelihood
1
Severity
5
Risk Rating
5
Risk Controls
Conduct thorough site surveys and material analysis prior to work commencementAdmin
If ACMs are suspected or identified, stop work and consult a licensed asbestos surveyorAdmin
Do not disturb suspected ACMs; cordon off the areaAdmin
Ensure all personnel are trained in asbestos awarenessAdmin
Follow strict procedures for any licensed asbestos removal if requiredAdmin
Residual explanation (ALARP)
Residual risk is ALARP by avoiding disturbance through surveys, stopping work if ACMs are encountered, and adhering to strict protocols.
Slips, trips, and falls on the roof surface or access routes
Source: Uneven roof surfaces, wet or slippery materials (e.g., moss, rain, frost), debris, trailing cables
Pre-Risk
Likelihood
3
Severity
3
Risk Rating
9
Post-Risk
Likelihood
1
Severity
3
Risk Rating
3
Risk Controls
Ensure roof surfaces are kept clear of debris and unnecessary materialsAdmin
Use non-slip coatings or mats on temporary walkways if requiredEngg.
Provide adequate lighting in work areas and access routesAdmin
Regular inspection and clearing of access routesAdmin
Wear appropriate slip-resistant footwearPPE
Residual explanation (ALARP)
Residual risk is ALARP due to good housekeeping, appropriate footwear, and regular checks of work and access areas.
Understanding the risk table
The risk table is the core of every RAMS. Each row is one foreseeable risk for the work activity. You assess it before controls, define what you will do about it, then show the residual risk afterwards — with a clear ALARP justification. That is the same logic UK regulators and clients expect: identify, control, demonstrate residual risk is reasonably practicable.
Before controls
- Foreseeable risks — The harm that could result from the activity (for example, a fall from height or contact with hazardous substances).
- Hazard source — What could cause that harm: the situation, equipment, material, environment, or behaviour that creates the risk.
- Likelihood (Pre) — How likely the harm is before controls are applied, using your organisation’s risk matrix scale.
- Severity (Pre) — How serious the outcome would be before controls, on the same scale.
- Risk rating (Pre) — The combined score (typically likelihood × severity) before controls. This drives how robust your controls need to be.
Controls & residual risk
- Risk controls — The specific measures that eliminate, reduce, or manage the risk. In DocRide, each line can show its place in the hierarchy of control (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).
- Residual explanation (ALARP) — Why the remaining risk is As Low As Reasonably Practicable after controls are applied — the reasoning that supports signing the RAMS off.
After controls
- Likelihood (Post) — Expected likelihood once controls are in place and being followed.
- Severity (Post) — Expected severity after controls (often unchanged where controls mainly reduce likelihood).
- Risk rating (Post) — Residual risk after controls. This should fall within your organisation’s acceptable risk level and be supported by the ALARP explanation.
In DocRide, this table is not a static grid in a PDF — it stays linked to the live RAMS, inspections, competence records, and revision history, so the assessment you see on site is the assessment you actually manage.
Compliance management
Directly beneath the risk table, DocRide maps applicable health and safety law to the specific activity — showing what each regulation requires for this work and how your proposed risk controls satisfy those obligations.
Compliance Obligations Status
Applicable laws for this assessment’s jurisdiction and activity, with requirements tailored to this work and a mapping to the proposed risk controls above.
| Title of law / regulation | Requirements summary (this activity) | How proposed risk controls satisfy compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
Requires employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees. This includes managing risks from activities such as working at height, manual handling, and potential exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos.
|
The Act's general duties are addressed by the comprehensive controls outlined in the risk table. Specifically, Row 1 addresses the significant risk of falls from height through measures like edge protection, scaffolding, and mandatory fall arrest systems. Row 2 tackles manual handling injuries with mechanical aids, load breakdown, and training. Row 4 ensures compliance regarding potential asbestos exposure through surveys, training, and strict procedures. Row 5 addresses slips, trips, and falls by maintaining clear work areas and providing appropriate footwear. The overall management of these risks demonstrates compliance with the employer's duty of care under this Act. |
| The Work at Height Regulations 2005 |
Imposes specific duties on employers to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person from falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. It mandates planning, supervision, and the use of appropriate equipment for work at height.
|
Compliance with these regulations is primarily achieved through the controls detailed in Row 1. The requirement for planning and risk assessment is implicit in the overall RAMS approach. Specific controls include the use of secure scaffolding (Row 1, Control 2), edge protection systems (Row 1, Control 1), and the mandatory use of fall arrest systems (Row 1, Control 3) when working near unprotected edges. Regular inspection of working platforms (Row 1, Control 5) ensures ongoing safety. The provision of safety footwear with good grip (Row 1, Control 4) also contributes to preventing slips and falls. |
| The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 |
Requires employers to manage asbestos in non-domestic buildings and to protect employees and others from exposure to asbestos fibres. This includes identifying asbestos, assessing risks, and implementing control measures.
|
Row 4 directly addresses the requirements of these regulations. Control 1 mandates thorough site surveys and material analysis to identify ACMs. Control 4 ensures all personnel receive asbestos awareness training. If ACMs are suspected or identified, Control 2 and 3 dictate stopping work, consulting experts, cordoning off the area, and not disturbing the material. Any necessary licensed removal would follow strict procedures as per Control 5. |
| The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 |
Requires employers to avoid, assess, and reduce the risks of injury from manual handling. Employers must provide information, training, and supervision, and implement systems to reduce risk, such as using mechanical aids.
|
Row 2 details the controls for manual handling risks. Control 1 promotes the use of mechanical aids where feasible. Control 2 requires breaking down loads into manageable weights. Control 3 ensures that manual handling training covering correct lifting techniques is provided. Control 4 ensures adequate space for safe movement and lifting, and Control 5 suggests task rotation to prevent prolonged strenuous activity, all contributing to compliance. |
| The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) |
Applies to all construction projects, setting out duties for clients, designers, and contractors to manage health and safety. For contractors, it includes planning, managing, and monitoring construction work to ensure it is carried out safely, including managing risks from working at height, manual handling, and falling materials.
|
CDM 2015 requires a structured approach to managing construction risks. The entire RAMS, including the identified controls for working at height (Row 1), falling materials (Row 3), manual handling (Row 2), and potential ACMs (Row 4), demonstrates compliance. Specifically, the establishment of exclusion zones (Row 3, Control 1), securing materials (Row 3, Control 2), and providing hard hats (Row 3, Control 4) address risks from falling objects. The planning and provision of safe access and edge protection (Row 1, Controls 1 & 2) are key CDM requirements. The supervisor role, with its emphasis on site management and risk assessment (competence requirements), aligns with CDM duties. |
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Requires employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees. This includes managing risks from activities such as working at height, manual handling, and potential exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos.
The Act's general duties are addressed by the comprehensive controls outlined in the risk table. Specifically, Row 1 addresses the significant risk of falls from height through measures like edge protection, scaffolding, and mandatory fall arrest systems. Row 2 tackles manual handling injuries with mechanical aids, load breakdown, and training. Row 4 ensures compliance regarding potential asbestos exposure through surveys, training, and strict procedures. Row 5 addresses slips, trips, and falls by maintaining clear work areas and providing appropriate footwear. The overall management of these risks demonstrates compliance with the employer's duty of care under this Act.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
Imposes specific duties on employers to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person from falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. It mandates planning, supervision, and the use of appropriate equipment for work at height.
Compliance with these regulations is primarily achieved through the controls detailed in Row 1. The requirement for planning and risk assessment is implicit in the overall RAMS approach. Specific controls include the use of secure scaffolding (Row 1, Control 2), edge protection systems (Row 1, Control 1), and the mandatory use of fall arrest systems (Row 1, Control 3) when working near unprotected edges. Regular inspection of working platforms (Row 1, Control 5) ensures ongoing safety. The provision of safety footwear with good grip (Row 1, Control 4) also contributes to preventing slips and falls.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Requires employers to manage asbestos in non-domestic buildings and to protect employees and others from exposure to asbestos fibres. This includes identifying asbestos, assessing risks, and implementing control measures.
Row 4 directly addresses the requirements of these regulations. Control 1 mandates thorough site surveys and material analysis to identify ACMs. Control 4 ensures all personnel receive asbestos awareness training. If ACMs are suspected or identified, Control 2 and 3 dictate stopping work, consulting experts, cordoning off the area, and not disturbing the material. Any necessary licensed removal would follow strict procedures as per Control 5.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Requires employers to avoid, assess, and reduce the risks of injury from manual handling. Employers must provide information, training, and supervision, and implement systems to reduce risk, such as using mechanical aids.
Row 2 details the controls for manual handling risks. Control 1 promotes the use of mechanical aids where feasible. Control 2 requires breaking down loads into manageable weights. Control 3 ensures that manual handling training covering correct lifting techniques is provided. Control 4 ensures adequate space for safe movement and lifting, and Control 5 suggests task rotation to prevent prolonged strenuous activity, all contributing to compliance.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
Applies to all construction projects, setting out duties for clients, designers, and contractors to manage health and safety. For contractors, it includes planning, managing, and monitoring construction work to ensure it is carried out safely, including managing risks from working at height, manual handling, and falling materials.
CDM 2015 requires a structured approach to managing construction risks. The entire RAMS, including the identified controls for working at height (Row 1), falling materials (Row 3), manual handling (Row 2), and potential ACMs (Row 4), demonstrates compliance. Specifically, the establishment of exclusion zones (Row 3, Control 1), securing materials (Row 3, Control 2), and providing hard hats (Row 3, Control 4) address risks from falling objects. The planning and provision of safe access and edge protection (Row 1, Controls 1 & 2) are key CDM requirements. The supervisor role, with its emphasis on site management and risk assessment (competence requirements), aligns with CDM duties.
Understanding compliance obligations
A RAMS is not only about hazards and controls — it must show how the work meets legal duties. The Compliance Obligations Status table connects each applicable law to this specific activity and to the controls you have already proposed in the risk table above. That closes the loop between risk assessment and regulatory compliance.
Purpose
- Demonstrate legal coverage — Show which health and safety laws and regulations apply to the jurisdiction and type of work being assessed.
- Tailor duties to the task — Translate broad legal requirements into plain-language obligations relevant to this activity, not generic boilerplate.
- Link law to controls — Explain how the risk controls in your RAMS satisfy each requirement, giving auditors and clients a clear compliance trail.
- Support sign-off and assurance — Give approvers confidence that the RAMS addresses statutory duties, not only operational risk.
What each column means
- Title of law / regulation — The act, regulation, or statutory instrument that creates the duty (for example, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 or the Work at Height Regulations 2005).
- Requirements summary (this activity) — What that law requires for this work: the specific obligations your organisation must meet when carrying out the assessed activity.
- How proposed risk controls satisfy compliance — How the controls listed in the risk table above meet those legal requirements — the explicit mapping between your safety measures and compliance.
In DocRide, compliance obligations are generated and stored with the RAMS — tied to the activity, jurisdiction, and controls — so when the assessment changes, the compliance mapping can be reviewed and updated alongside it, not hunted down in separate folders or spreadsheets.
Responsible roles
Each RAMS defines who does the work, what competence they need, and what PPE they must use — in one section, with assignees linked to live competence records.
Responsible roles
Assign users against the specified roles. If an avatar has a red border, that person does not yet meet the competence requirements for this role.
Role
Roofer
Assigned for this role:
Amelia
Competence
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Roofing Occupations (or equivalent experience)
- Working at Height training (e.g., IPAF, PASMA if relevant for access equipment)
- Asbestos Awareness training (Category A)
- Manual Handling training
- Experience in laying various roofing materials
- Competence in using safety harnesses and fall arrest systems
PPE
Safety Helmet
Safety Boots
High-Visibility Vest
Safety Gloves
Full Body Harness
Safety Glasses
Competence
- NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Roofing Occupations (or equivalent experience)
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) or equivalent
- Working at Height training
- Asbestos Awareness training (Category B or C)
- Manual Handling training
- Experience in supervising roofing operations
- First Aid at Work certification
- Ability to conduct risk assessments and method statements
PPE
Safety Helmet
Safety Boots
High-Visibility Vest
Safety Gloves
Safety Glasses
Understanding responsible roles
Each role card brings together who is assigned, what competence they need, and what PPE they must wear for that role on this RAMS — not in separate spreadsheets or annexes.
Competence
- Role-specific requirements — Each responsible role lists the training, qualifications, or experience needed to carry out that work safely (for example, working at height training or an NVQ in the trade).
- Linked to live records — In DocRide, those requirements are checked against each assignee’s competence and certification records, not a one-off tick on a PDF.
- Visible at assignment — When you assign someone to a role, you can see immediately whether their profile satisfies every listed requirement — before work starts on site.
PPE
- Per-role protective equipment — The PPE panel shows what must be worn for that role on this activity (helmets, harnesses, gloves, and so on).
- Clear visual reference — Standard items appear with recognised icons so workers and supervisors know exactly what is required without reading long equipment lists.
- Part of the same record — PPE sits alongside competence and assignees in one role card, so the method statement, people, skills, and equipment stay aligned.
Avatar borders
Assigned users appear as avatars under each role. When competence requirements are defined for that role, DocRide adds a coloured border to show whether the assignee’s records match what the RAMS requires:
- Green border — The assignee meets all competence requirements listed for that role. Their certifications and training records are in place for this RAMS.
- Red border — One or more competence requirements are missing or not yet verified. The person is assigned to the role, but their profile does not yet fully satisfy what the RAMS specifies — action is needed before you can be confident they are ready for the work.
- No coloured border — Either no competence requirements are set for that role, or competence checking does not apply in that context.
In DocRide, responsible roles are operational — assignees, competence gaps, and PPE travel with the live RAMS, so supervisors and approvers see readiness at a glance instead of chasing paper sign-offs.
Tangible Resources
Tools and equipment for this activity that can affect health and safety.
Understanding tangible resources
Tangible resources are the tools, plant, and equipment used to carry out the work activity — items where wrong use, misuse, or poor maintenance could directly affect health and safety. DocRide lists them on the RAMS so they are assessed and managed alongside hazards, roles, and controls — not forgotten in a separate asset register.
What each column shows
- Equipment — The tool or item recorded for this activity (for example, scaffolding, a harness, or a ladder). When linked to an asset in DocRide, you see the live asset reference here too.
- Risk — How significant the equipment is from a use, misuse, and upkeep perspective — whether wrong use or lack of maintenance could contribute to harm (typically rated Low, Medium, or High).
- Maintenance — The likelihood that the equipment could cause a safety or health issue, based on maintenance history and scoring where assets are linked.
- Status — Serviceability pulled from the linked asset: calibration due dates, maintenance status, and whether the item is fit for use.
- Risk Owner — Who the linked asset is issued to, so accountability for that piece of equipment is visible on the RAMS.
Why it matters on a live RAMS
- Connects paperwork to real kit — Equipment lines on the RAMS can be linked to assets in your system, so status and ownership update when the asset record changes.
- Supports readiness checks — Tangible resources are one of the four readiness indicators on the RAMS hero: all listed equipment should have assets attached before the assessment is considered complete.
- Closes a common gap — Many RAMS mention tools in passing but do not track whether the right equipment is maintained, assigned, and safe to use. DocRide keeps that visible in one place.
In DocRide, tangible resources are part of the operational RAMS — not a static equipment list — so supervisors see which tools matter for this activity and whether linked assets are in a safe state before work goes ahead.
Turn RAMS into a live safety system
Stop managing static documents. Build RAMS connected to real work, inspections, and continual improvement — in minutes, not days.
Check My Risks