Scaffold Technical Guide • Risk Assessment • Method Statement
What Are RAMS?
RAMS means risk assessment and method statement. In scaffolding, RAMS explain the hazards connected with a specific scaffold task, the risk controls selected for that task and the intended sequence of work so operatives, contractors and site teams understand how the scaffold work is to be carried out.
How RAMS are structured
Definition
What are RAMS?
RAMS is a common construction term for risk assessment and method statement. The risk assessment identifies hazards, who could be harmed, the level of risk and the control measures needed. The method statement then explains the planned sequence of work and how those controls will be applied on site.
For scaffold works, RAMS should be task-specific. A generic document is weaker than a document that reflects the actual scaffold type, site conditions, access route, working height, loading, public interface, nearby trades, exclusion zones and sequence of erection, alteration or dismantling.
Risk Assessment
What does the risk assessment part cover?
The risk assessment side of RAMS identifies what could cause harm and how the risk will be reduced. In scaffolding, this usually starts with the site conditions, the scaffold activity and the people who may be affected by the works.
Examples include falls, falling materials, manual handling, vehicle movement, fragile surfaces, overhead services and interaction with the public.
Scaffolders, other trades, residents, visitors, pedestrians, drivers, building users and client staff may all need consideration.
The assessment considers how likely harm is and how serious the outcome could be before and after controls.
Controls may include edge protection, exclusion zones, access control, lifting methods, PPE, supervision and sequencing.
Method Statement
What does the method statement part cover?
The method statement sets out how the scaffold work will be carried out. It should be clear enough for the operatives and site team to understand the task, the sequence, the access arrangements and the control measures being used.
- Scope of work: what scaffold task the RAMS covers and what is outside the scope.
- Site set-up: arrival, parking, unloading, exclusion zones, access and public protection.
- Sequence of work: how the scaffold is erected, altered, adapted or dismantled.
- Access and egress: how operatives move safely to and from the work area.
- Materials handling: loading, lifting, passing materials and avoiding uncontrolled drops.
- Emergency arrangements: site-specific emergency contact, rescue, first aid and incident procedures.
- Briefing: how the RAMS are communicated to operatives before work starts.
Scaffold-Specific Content
What should scaffold RAMS include?
Scaffold RAMS should reflect the actual scaffold activity. The content for a house scaffold will not be identical to a temporary roof, a birdcage scaffold, a loading bay, a gantry, a pavement scaffold or a commercial frontage scaffold.
Independent scaffold, tower scaffold, birdcage scaffold, temporary roof, access staircase, loading bay or other scaffold arrangement.
Platform height, lift arrangement, ladder or staircase access and safe movement around the scaffold.
Pedestrians, residents, customers, traffic, occupied buildings, schools, shops or public highways.
Parking, loading, narrow access, fragile surfaces, overhead cables, restricted working hours or shared work areas.
Exclusion zones, guardrails, toe boards, debris control, manual handling controls, PPE, supervision and signage.
Toolbox talk, site induction, client coordination, principal contractor requirements and changes to the work sequence.
Legal and Technical Context
Which rules and guidance sit behind RAMS?
RAMS are not a substitute for competent planning, supervision or site management. They are a way of recording risk assessment findings and communicating the safe system of work for a task. The level of detail should be proportionate to the risk, complexity and site conditions.
Employers must identify hazards, assess risk and take action to eliminate or control risk where possible.
Contractors must plan, manage and monitor construction work under their control and coordinate with others where required.
Method statements are commonly used to record work at height hazards, controls and task precautions.
TG20:21 and SG4:22 may be referenced where relevant to scaffold configuration and safe scaffolding operations.
Review and Changes
When should RAMS be reviewed?
RAMS should be reviewed when the work changes, the site conditions change or the original assumptions are no longer correct. Scaffold works can change quickly, especially when the client changes the scope, the sequence changes, weather affects the works or another trade needs access to the area.
- Scope change: additional scaffold, altered access or a different workface.
- Site change: new hazards, changed access routes or changed public interface.
- Sequence change: different erection, alteration or dismantling order.
- Personnel change: new operatives or subcontractors who need briefing.
- Incident or near miss: any event showing the existing controls may not be enough.
FAQ
RAMS questions
Are RAMS the same as a risk assessment?
No. The risk assessment identifies hazards, risks and controls. The method statement explains how the task will be carried out using those controls.
Do scaffold RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes. Scaffold RAMS should reflect the actual site, scaffold type, access route, working height, public interface, surrounding trades and sequence of work.
Who should read the RAMS?
The operatives carrying out the work should be briefed on the RAMS. Site management, principal contractors and clients may also need to review them depending on the project.
Can RAMS change after work starts?
Yes. RAMS should be reviewed if the scaffold work, site conditions, access, sequence, hazards or control measures change.
Need scaffold RAMS support?
BlackFox Scaffolding can prepare task-specific scaffold RAMS for planned scaffold works where required, using the scaffold type, work sequence, site access, working height and project conditions as the starting point.