What Does RAMS Mean?

              

What Does RAMS Mean?

AI and numerous websites explain that RAMS stands for Risk Assessment Method Statement. The interpretation is that, in UK health and safety practice, RAMS refers to a document or set of documents that detail procedures for high-risk tasks. It combines identifying hazards (Risk Assessment) with a step-by-step guide to safe working methods (Method Statement). Most commonly used in construction, RAMS ensures workers are aware of safety protocols and legal responsibilities.

However, this is not strictly true as the acronym RAMS initially stood for Risk Analysis and Management System. Over time, however, its meaning in everyday use has shifted to refer specifically to on-site Health & Safety tasks that need to be performed. In its original sense, a Risk Analysis and Management System is a process for identifying, assessing, and reducing potential risks to an organisation's objectives.

So RAMS is now the acronym for risk and method statements. The problem with identifying RAMS as Risk Assessments and Method Statements is that this only covers two-thirds of a RAMS pack. The risk from carrying out a task must also include any substances that are used that may be hazardous to health. These are known as COSHH Assessments (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health).

You can't submit a Risk Assessment and Method Statement for someone painting an exterior wall without assessing the substances they are using, which in this case might be paint and thinners. The paint they use may require them to use PPE and respiratory protection. It may need specific disposal considerations or may be harmful to aquatic and marine life. It may be highly flammable and emit poisonous fumes if it catches fire. None of these details will be listed in a risk or method statement. Hence, since 1989, COSHH Assessments have been a legal requirement and must be part of a company's RAMS.

RAMS are the documents that list how to complete a job safely. And for painting an exterior wall, these documents may include:

• Risk Assessment: This document involves identifying potential dangers in a task or environment and determining the level of risk they pose. This process evaluates factors such as the likelihood of an incident occurring and its possible impact. The aim is to either remove the hazard entirely or reduce the associated risks through suitable control measures. It provides a clear understanding of where attention is needed to ensure safety. When painting an exterior wall, one risk is working at height; a control measure to reduce the likelihood of harm might be to use a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Working Platform) or scaffolding instead of a ladder for high-level work.
• Method Statement: This will outline the correct way to complete tasks while minimising risks. These documents offer detailed, step-by-step instructions for performing specific jobs safely. They include information on required tools, safety precautions, and the responsibilities of those carrying out the work. By following these instructions, workers can complete tasks efficiently without compromising their well-being or that of others. The method statement might inform operatives not to use scaffolding unless it has an in-date scaffolding tag, or to apply the paint only with a brush and not a spray gun.
• COSHH Assessment: This is all about what’s in the paint that may cause harm. The assessment will be compiled from the products safety data sheet and will list the products name, all of the hazardous ingredients, the work exposure limit, where the product’s used, how the products used, the product hazard levels, the products hazard pictograms, PPE to be used in various situations, if and how the substance may be hazardous to health, first aid and emergency measures, spillage, environmental, disposal and fire hazards.

In conclusion, RAMS is commonly known as Risk Assessments, Method Statements, but must also include COSHH Assessments.