Method Statements and RAMS: A Plain English Guide for Contractors

TL;DR: A method statement describes how you’ll carry out a job safely, step by step. A risk assessment identifies what could go wrong. Together they’re called RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement). You’ll need them for most contract work in the UK and Ireland — especially anything involving main contractors, councils, or higher-risk tasks. They don’t need to be complicated, but they do need to be specific to the actual job. This guide walks you through everything: what to include, how to write one, when they’re legally required, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Is a Method Statement?

A method statement is a document that describes how you’ll do a specific job safely, step by step.

That’s really all it is. It’s not a legal contract, it’s not a thesis, and it doesn’t need to be written by a solicitor. It’s a practical, written-down plan that says: “Here’s the job. Here’s how we’re going to do it. Here’s what we’ll use. Here’s how we’ll keep everyone safe.”

Think of it like a recipe for the job. A recipe tells you the ingredients, the order you do things, and the bits where you need to be careful (don’t burn the sauce, don’t overmix the batter). A method statement does the same thing — but for work tasks.

Method Statement vs. Risk Assessment

People often mix these up, so let’s be clear:

Risk assessment = What could go wrong? (the hazards and how likely they are to cause harm)
Method statement = How will we do it safely? (the step-by-step procedure, including how we’ll control those hazards)

They work together. The risk assessment is where you identify the dangers. The method statement is where you explain what you’re actually going to do about them.

Other Names for Method Statements

You might hear method statements called different things depending on who you’re talking to:

Safe system of work (SSOW)
Safe work method statement (SWMS)
Safe system of work plan (SSWP) — this is the term used in Ireland
Work procedure
Task procedure

They all mean roughly the same thing: a written plan for doing the job safely. Don’t get hung up on the terminology — focus on the content.

What Is RAMS?

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It’s not one document — it’s two documents that go together as a pair.

The risk assessment identifies the hazards and evaluates the risks
The method statement describes how you’ll control those risks while carrying out the work

When a client, main contractor, or council asks for “your RAMS,” they want both documents. Sometimes they’ll be combined into a single form or pack, but the two elements should always be there.

Why Do Clients Ask for RAMS?

There are a few reasons:

Legal obligation. Under health and safety law, anyone who controls a workplace has a duty to manage risks. Before they let you onto their site, they need to know you’ve thought about safety and have a plan.

Insurance. Many insurers require evidence that contractors have RAMS in place. If something goes wrong and there’s no paperwork, it gets messy — for everyone.

Competence check. Your RAMS are one way clients assess whether you know what you’re doing. A well-written method statement tells them you’ve thought the job through properly.

Audit trail. If anything goes wrong on site, RAMS provide evidence that reasonable steps were taken to prevent it. That matters for HSE investigations, insurance claims, and legal proceedings.

Are RAMS Always Legally Required?

Strictly speaking, there’s no single law in the UK that says “you must have a method statement for every job.” But in practice, they’re required or expected in almost every commercial or contract situation:

CDM 2015 requires contractors to plan, manage, and monitor their work — method statements are the standard way to demonstrate this
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require suitable and sufficient risk assessments, and the practical arrangements to control risks (i.e., method statements)
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a general duty on employers to ensure safe systems of work

So while the law doesn’t always use the words “method statement,” the duties it places on you effectively require one for any work with meaningful risk. And if a client asks for one, that’s reason enough.

For a deeper look at risk assessments specifically, see our guide to health and safety risk assessments.

When Do You Need Method Statements?

Here’s a straightforward list of situations where you’ll need method statements:

1. When a Client or Main Contractor Asks for Them

This is the most common trigger. If someone asks for your RAMS before you can start work, you need them. Full stop. No RAMS, no job — that’s how most sites operate these days.

2. High-Risk Work

Certain types of work carry higher risks and almost always require method statements:

Working at height — scaffolding, ladders, roof work, cherry pickers
Hot works — welding, cutting, soldering, grinding, anything that produces sparks or flame
Confined spaces — tanks, ducts, manholes, ceiling voids
Electrical work — especially work on or near live installations
Excavation — trenching, digging near services
Demolition — even small-scale strip-outs
Work near asbestos — any disturbance of asbestos-containing materials
Lifting operations — cranes, hoists, heavy plant

3. CDM 2015 Projects (UK)

If you’re working on a construction project in the UK, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply. Method statements form part of the construction phase plan, which is required on every project with more than one contractor — and good practice even when there’s only one.

4. Council or Commercial Contracts

Local authorities and commercial clients almost always require RAMS as a prerequisite before you set foot on site. It’s usually part of the tender or onboarding paperwork.

5. Insurance Purposes

Your employer’s liability or public liability insurer may require RAMS to be in place for certain types of work. Check your policy — some insurers make it a condition of cover.

6. Ireland: Construction Regulations 2013

In the Republic of Ireland, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 require safe systems of work plans for construction activities. If you’re working in Ireland, you need them.

CDM 2015 and Method Statements (UK)

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 — known as CDM 2015 — are the main set of regulations governing health and safety on construction projects in the UK. They apply to all construction work, regardless of size.

A Brief Overview of CDM 2015

CDM 2015 replaced the previous CDM 2007 regulations. The biggest change was that CDM now applies to domestic work as well as commercial projects. So if you’re doing a loft conversion for a homeowner or rewiring a house, CDM applies to you.

The regulations are designed to ensure that health and safety is considered throughout the life of a construction project — from design through to completion.

When Does the HSE Need to Be Notified?

You must notify the HSE (using an F10 form) if the construction work:

Will last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working at the same time at any point, or
Exceeds 500 person-days of construction work

Even if notification isn’t required, CDM still applies. The duties don’t disappear just because the project is small.

Key CDM Roles

CDM 2015 defines several duty-holder roles:

Client — the person or organisation the work is being done for. Has duties even on domestic projects (though on domestic work, these duties pass to the contractor or principal contractor)
Principal designer — the designer in overall control of the pre-construction phase. Responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring health and safety during design
Principal contractor — the contractor in overall control of the construction phase. Responsible for the construction phase plan and coordinating all contractors on site
Contractor — anyone who carries out construction work. This includes sole traders and self-employed tradespeople
Designer — anyone who prepares or modifies designs for construction work (including architects, engineers, and tradespeople who design as they go)

How Method Statements Fit into CDM

The construction phase plan is a key CDM document. On multi-contractor projects, the principal contractor must prepare it before the construction phase begins. It needs to set out the arrangements for managing health and safety on the project.

Method statements feed directly into the construction phase plan. They detail how specific tasks will be carried out safely. As a contractor, you’ll typically be asked to submit your method statements to the principal contractor so they can be reviewed and incorporated into the overall plan.

Even on single-contractor projects (including domestic work), having method statements demonstrates that you’re meeting your CDM duty to plan, manage, and monitor your work.

Domestic Work and CDM

This catches a lot of tradespeople off guard: CDM 2015 applies to domestic clients too. If you’re fitting a kitchen for a homeowner, CDM applies. The difference is that on domestic projects, the client’s duties automatically transfer to the contractor (or principal contractor, if there’s more than one contractor).

In practice, this means you should have RAMS for domestic work too — not just for legal compliance, but because it’s good practice and protects you if anything goes wrong.

What to Include in a Method Statement

A good method statement doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to be thorough and specific to the job. Here’s what to include:

Project Description and Scope of Work

Start with the basics:

What’s the job? (e.g., “Replacement of flat roof covering to single-storey rear extension”)
Where is it? (full site address)
Who’s the client?
What’s the start date and expected duration?
What’s included — and what’s not included?

Being specific about scope prevents misunderstandings and makes sure everyone knows exactly what the method statement covers.

Location and Site Conditions

Describe the site conditions that are relevant to the work:

Access arrangements (how you’ll get to the work area)
Any restrictions (parking, working hours, noise limits)
Existing hazards (asbestos, fragile roofs, live services)
Whether the building is occupied
Proximity to public areas, roads, or neighbouring properties

Key Personnel and Their Responsibilities

List the people involved and what each person is responsible for:

Site supervisor or foreman
Operatives carrying out the work
First aider
Person responsible for monitoring safety
Emergency contact

For sole traders, this might just be you — that’s fine. But still write it down.

Sequence of Work (Step by Step)

This is the heart of your method statement. Break the job down into a logical sequence of steps, from start to finish. Be specific and use plain language.

For example, instead of writing “install scaffolding,” write:

Scaffolding contractor to erect scaffold to front elevation in accordance with TG20 guidance
Scaffold to be inspected by competent person before use
Scaffold tag to be displayed confirming inspection date and next inspection due
All operatives to check scaffold each morning before use

The level of detail should match the level of risk. Simple, low-risk steps can be brief. Higher-risk steps need more detail.

Hazards Identified

For each step, note the hazards involved. This should cross-reference your risk assessment. Common hazards include:

Falls from height
Falling objects
Manual handling injuries
Slips, trips, and falls
Electrical contact
Dust and fume exposure
Noise
Burns (from hot works or chemicals)
Contact with hazardous substances

Control Measures for Each Step

For every hazard, describe what you’ll do to control it. Follow the hierarchy of controls:

Eliminate — can you remove the hazard entirely?
Substitute — can you use something less hazardous?
Engineering controls — physical barriers, guardrails, ventilation
Administrative controls — safe systems of work, training, signage, permits
PPE — personal protective equipment (always the last resort)

Be specific. Don’t just write “appropriate PPE will be worn.” Write “hard hats, safety boots with steel toe caps, and hi-vis vests to be worn at all times in the work area.”

Equipment and Materials Needed

List all the equipment and materials required for the job:

Tools (hand tools and power tools)
Access equipment (ladders, scaffolding, MEWPs)
Plant and machinery
Materials
Safety equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kit, spill kit)

Include any requirements for inspection or certification — for example, PAT-tested electrical tools, in-date harness inspections, or current LOLER certificates for lifting equipment.

PPE Requirements

Specify the PPE required for the job:

Hard hat (and when it must be worn)
Safety boots (steel toe cap, ankle support)
Hi-vis clothing
Safety glasses or goggles
Hearing protection (specify type and when required)
Respiratory protection (specify type — FFP2, FFP3, etc.)
Gloves (specify type for the hazard — cut-resistant, chemical-resistant, etc.)
Harnesses and lanyards (for work at height)

Emergency Procedures

Cover what happens if something goes wrong:

Location of nearest A&E / emergency department
What to do in case of fire (assembly point, fire extinguisher locations)
What to do in case of injury (first aid arrangements, who to call)
What to do in case of a fall from height
What to do in case of electrical contact
Spill procedures (for chemicals or fuels)
Emergency contact numbers (site, company, and emergency services)

Competence and Training Requirements

List the qualifications, training, and experience needed:

Trade qualifications (e.g., Part P for electrical work, Gas Safe registration)
Site-specific inductions
CSCS cards (or equivalent)
Specific training (e.g., PASMA for mobile towers, IPAF for MEWPs, asbestos awareness)
First aid training

Monitoring and Supervision Arrangements

Explain how you’ll make sure the method statement is actually being followed:

Who’s supervising the work?
How often will checks be carried out?
What happens if someone isn’t following the method statement?
Are there any permit-to-work requirements?

Environmental Considerations

Cover the environmental aspects of the job:

Dust control — wet cutting, extraction, dust sheets
Noise management — working hours, noise barriers, hearing zones
Waste disposal — segregation, licensed carriers, duty of care notes
Water protection — preventing runoff into drains
Protected species — nesting birds, bats (particularly relevant for roof and demolition work)

Sign-Off and Date

The method statement should be signed and dated by:

The person who wrote it
The person who reviewed it (if different)
The site supervisor or project manager

This creates an audit trail and confirms that the document has been checked and approved.

Step-by-Step: How to Write a Method Statement

Right, let’s get practical. Here’s how to actually sit down and write a method statement.

Step 1: Visit the Site (or Review Site Information)

You can’t write a proper method statement from your kitchen table — at least not without good information about the site. Ideally, visit the site before writing your method statement. If that’s not possible, get as much information as you can:

Photos of the work area
Existing drawings or plans
Information about existing services (gas, electric, water)
Previous survey reports (asbestos, structural)
Site rules and restrictions from the client or main contractor

The more you know about the actual conditions, the more relevant your method statement will be.

Step 2: Break the Job into Steps (in Sequence)

Think through the job from start to finish. Write down every step in the order you’ll do them. Include setup, the main work, and clearing up afterwards.

For example, if you’re replacing a boiler:

Set up work area and lay down dust sheets
Isolate existing boiler (gas, water, electrical)
Drain down existing system
Disconnect and remove existing boiler
Prepare wall for new boiler (make good, install fixings)
Mount new boiler on wall
Connect gas supply
Connect water supply (flow, return, hot water, cold water)
Connect condensate drain
Connect flue
Connect electrical supply
Fill and pressurise system
Commission boiler according to manufacturer’s instructions
Test all connections for leaks
Complete benchmark certificate and Gas Safe notification
Clean up and remove waste

Don’t skip steps because they seem obvious. The point is to capture the full sequence.

Step 3: For Each Step, Identify Hazards and Control Measures

Go through your step list and ask: “What could go wrong here? How will we prevent it?”

Using the boiler example:

Step 2 (Isolate existing boiler): Hazard = gas leak during isolation. Control = only Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out isolation; gas tightness test before and after; carbon monoxide detector active in work area.
Step 4 (Remove existing boiler): Hazard = manual handling injury (boilers are heavy). Control = two-person lift or use of mechanical aid; assess weight before lifting; clear pathway to exit.
Step 10 (Connect flue): Hazard = working at height if external flue. Control = use of suitable access equipment (ladder with standoff, or scaffold); second person to foot ladder.

Step 4: Specify Equipment, PPE, and Competence Needed

For each step, note:

What tools and equipment are needed?
What PPE should be worn?
Does the person doing this step need specific qualifications or training?

Step 5: Add Emergency Procedures

Write down what to do if things go wrong. This should cover:

First aid arrangements
Fire procedures
Gas leak procedure (for gas work)
Who to call in an emergency
Nearest hospital location

Step 6: Get It Reviewed and Signed Off

Before the work starts, the method statement should be reviewed. On larger projects, the principal contractor or site manager will review it. On smaller jobs, it might be your own supervisor or business partner.

Even if you’re a sole trader, it’s good practice to have someone else read it through. A fresh pair of eyes can spot things you’ve missed.

Step 7: Brief Your Team Before Work Starts (Toolbox Talk)

A method statement that sits in a folder is useless. Everyone doing the work needs to know what’s in it. Hold a brief meeting — a toolbox talk — before work starts:

Walk through the method statement with your team
Make sure everyone understands their role
Highlight the main hazards and control measures
Ask if anyone has questions or concerns
Record attendance (names, signatures, date)

This briefing is just as important as the document itself. If something goes wrong and the HSE asks “Did the workers know about the method statement?”, you need to be able to say yes — and prove it.

Writing method statements for every job takes time. Our compliance kits include pre-built method statement templates for common tasks — just customise for your specific project and you’re ready to go.

Practical Examples by Trade

Let’s look at how method statements work in practice for different trades. These are simplified examples to give you an idea of what job-specific RAMS look like.

Electrician: Rewiring a Commercial Property

Key hazards: Electrical contact, working with live circuits during testing, working at height (ceiling-level work), dust from chasing walls, cable-pulling injuries, fire risk.