SAFETY IN PRACTICE · SAFETY MANAGEMENT
When to review your RAMS: practical prompts for your team
Practical prompts for discussing whether risk assessments and method statements still reflect the work being planned and carried out.
By Safetyman International · Prepared for editorial review
Keep the documents connected to the task
RAMS stands for risk assessments and method statements. Their usefulness depends on how accurately they reflect the work, its conditions and the controls needed. Review arrangements should be appropriate to your activities and applicable requirements. The prompts below are discussion starters, not a substitute for a task-specific assessment.
The work has changed
Changes to the sequence of work, equipment, materials, location or people involved can affect the assumptions behind the documents. Check whether the existing assessment and method still describe the task. Involve people with suitable knowledge of the work before agreeing changes.
The environment is different
Workplace conditions and interfaces with other activities can change. Ask whether access, surrounding work, supervision and coordination arrangements still match what was considered. Make sure the people doing the task understand the current arrangements.
Experience raises a new question
An inspection finding, incident, near miss or concern from a worker may indicate that the arrangements need another look. Examine what the information tells you about the work and the effectiveness of controls. Avoid treating a revised document as the whole solution when practice also needs to change.
People need clearer understanding
If teams find the method difficult to follow or cannot explain the relevant controls, consider both the document and the way it has been communicated. Suitable instruction, training and supervision should support the specific work. Explore Safetyman Academy for relevant background learning and onsite training for your wider needs.
Bring in practical support
Safetyman can discuss risk assessment and RAMS support, alongside experienced HSE personnel for your operation or project. Share the activities and context so the review can be scoped around real work.
This article provides general discussion points. Support should be scoped around your activities, location and circumstances.
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