If you’ve ever had to prepare a Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) for a manufacturing environment, you’ll know it’s not something you want to leave to guesswork. A poorly written RAMS can lead to confusion, non-compliance, and even serious safety issues. That’s why getting it right every time is essential.
So, what should be in a RAMS for manufacturing? Whether you’re writing one for the first time or reviewing an existing template, this article breaks it all down in a friendly, jargon-free way. And yes, there’s a free checklist to make life easier.
Helpful summary
Overview: This article explains exactly what should be included in a RAMS for manufacturing, with a free checklist and advice to help managers create clear, compliant documentation.
Why Trust Us: Evalu-8 EHS supports UK manufacturers with powerful digital tools for building and managing RAMS documents, improving safety, and reducing risk.
Why It Matters: A clear, detailed RAMS is vital for workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and protecting workers in hazardous environments.
Action Points: Use our checklist and consider switching to Evalu-8 EHS to streamline RAMS creation, version control, and real-time distribution.
Why RAMS are essential in manufacturing
Manufacturing environments are full of moving machinery, hazardous materials, and strict safety protocols. A RAMS helps communicate exactly how tasks should be carried out safely, giving both your team and any contractors the clarity they need.
It’s not just a formality it’s often a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. But beyond compliance, it’s about peace of mind. When a RAMS is well written, your team knows the risks, understands the procedures, and has confidence in the plan.
Key components every RAMS should include
If you’re wondering what actually needs to go into your RAMS, here’s a breakdown of the essential sections. This is the meat of your document, and it’s where accuracy and clarity matter most.
1. Project or task details
Start with the basics. Your RAMS should clearly state who is doing the work, where it’s taking place, and what the job involves. If it’s for a specific site or contract, name it.
2. Risk assessment summary
This is where you show you’ve thought it through. Identify hazards, assess who could be harmed, and include control measures already in place. Use a structured format to show likelihood and severity, and make sure it’s specific to the task, generic copy-paste jobs won’t cut it.
3. Step-by-step method statement
Next comes the ‘how’. This section outlines each stage of the job in the correct order, noting safety precautions, PPE, supervision levels, and tools required at each step. Clear, concise language is key here.
4. Emergency procedures
Include what happens if things go wrong. This could be first-aid arrangements, evacuation procedures, or contact details for on-site responders. The aim is to show you’ve planned for the unexpected.
5. Sign-off and responsibility
A RAMS is only useful if it’s been approved and understood. Include sections for sign-off from both supervisors and the team carrying out the work. If digital, capture these electronically, something Evalu-8 EHS handles brilliantly.
Why Evalu-8 EHS is perfect for RAMS creation and management
You could manage your RAMS with Word documents and spreadsheets but why make things harder than they need to be?
Evalu-8 EHS offers a dedicated RAMS builder that walks you through each section, ensuring nothing gets missed. Templates can be saved, customised, and reused. And because everything’s in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about version control or missing documents on-site.
Simplified collaboration and updates
Need sign-off from multiple people? Evalu-8 lets you share RAMS securely, gather approvals digitally, and update documents in real time, no printing, scanning, or chasing people for signatures.
Full audit trail and compliance tracking
Every edit, comment, and signature is logged, helping you prove compliance at a moment’s notice. When inspectors ask for documentation, you’ll have it ready in seconds.
Easy distribution to frontline teams
Distribute RAMS to workers’ devices with one click. They’ll always have the latest version on hand, no excuses, no miscommunication.
Explore Evalu-8's RAMS feature
Free RAMS checklist for manufacturing
Want to make sure your RAMS covers all the right areas? Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
✅ Project/task name, location, and description
✅ Named individuals and responsibilities
✅ Risk assessment with hazards, risks, and control measures
✅ Step-by-step method statement
✅ Required PPE and tools
✅ Emergency contact and response info
✅ Training requirements
✅ Approval signatures and review dates
Save this checklist, and use it as a framework for every RAMS you create.
Give your RAMS the attention it deserves
Common RAMS questions answered
RAMS aren’t just paperwork they’re vital safety tools that protect your team and your business. A well-structured RAMS keeps everyone aligned, reduces the risk of injury, and ensures you’re always on the right side of the law.
With Evalu-8 EHS, you can take the stress out of RAMS creation. Everything is streamlined, compliant, and built with real-world use in mind. So next time you’re wondering what should be in a RAMS for manufacturing, you’ll not only know you’ll have the tools to do it brilliantly.
Not every single task but anything involving high risk, multiple contractors, or legal obligations definitely does. It’s better to be over-prepared than under.
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Only if the work, risks, and conditions are identical. Always review and tailor your RAMS for each job to ensure it’s accurate and compliant.
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As long as it needs to be. It should be detailed but easy to follow. Avoid padding it out with unnecessary fluff clarity beats length every time.
Digitally. Using software like Evalu-8 EHS keeps everything centralised, searchable, and secure far better than folders full of paper.
Review them before each job, after any incident, and at regular intervals. If something changes on-site, your RAMS should reflect it.
