Guides

Short explanations of the documents UK clients ask for, written for the person who has to brief a gang on Monday. They link to the trade samples and the templates. They are not a sign-off.

• Briefing and signing a RAMS

  A signature on a RAMS is evidence of a briefing, not proof the document is right. What to say on the morning, and when to stop.

• CDM 2015 for small contractors

  What the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 actually ask of a small gang, and what a RAMS does not replace.

• Is a RAMS a legal requirement?

  UK law does not name the document RAMS. It does require a suitable assessment and a plan for construction work. Here is what that means on a small job.

• Risk assessment or method statement?

  The assessment chooses the controls. The method says when they happen. A RAMS is both, and sites get into trouble when they only have one.

• Who should write a RAMS?

  The person who will supervise the job should be able to defend every line. Competence is knowledge of this site, not a job title.