RAMS vs Method Statement: What’s the Difference?
Pro Site Docs · Guide
People use "RAMS" and "method statement" as if they mean the same thing. They are related but not identical — here is the difference.
The risk assessment
A risk assessment identifies the hazards of a task, who could be harmed, and the control measures that reduce the risk to an acceptable level. It is the "what could go wrong and how we stop it" document.
The method statement
A method statement describes how the work will be done safely — the sequence of operations, plant and equipment, and the controls in practice. It is the "how we actually do it" document.
How they fit together
Combined, they form a RAMS. The risk assessment justifies the controls; the method statement puts those controls into a practical work sequence. Most UK sites expect both, presented together.
Which do you need?
Usually both. Our RAMS templates include the risk assessment and method statement in one document, while the method statement library is useful where a client asks specifically for a standalone method statement.
Lee Hunt — SMSTS · NEBOSH NG1 & NG2 · NEBOSH Health & Safety Leadership Excellence · CSCS Black Card · Level 6 Diploma in Construction Site Management · IOSH · ISEP (environmental) · Temporary Works Supervisor & Coordinator · Lift Supervisor. Last reviewed: 29 August 2026.
Templates for this
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General guidance only. This article explains how the rules generally work in UK construction. It is not advice for your specific site, task or project, and it is not legal advice. Your own risk assessment, method statement and arrangements must be prepared and checked by a competent person for the actual work being done.