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RAMS (risk assessments and method statements)


Delwint
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Do any of the members here on PW work for, or are they health and safety officers? I need RAMS for an ongoing contract so they need to be generic, that will enable me to just change the front sheet detailing the site address. The contract is for conversion of factory units/buildings into workshops with offices combined.

Thanks Delwint

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You can buy them from consultants but they cannot be generic must be site specific and cover all likely activities are you doing all the works or are you subbing some out? (Had them rejected loads for being too generic never for being too specific) who is the CDM coordinator?

 

I have a sssts but smsts is what you need minimum really if managing the site and assessing the rams of sub contractors for construction work, its a 5 day course https://www.citb.co.uk/training-and-courses/site-safety-plus/site-management-safety-training-scheme/

 

We used to use these http://www.swsconsultancy.com/tablet/index.html to provide our templates but I am sure there are some examples on the hse site

Edited by HDAV
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Thanks for the reply HDAV, I'm subbing it all out to a pal and his team of shop fitters. I don't have time at the moment, we're way too busy. I know you said it can't be generic, but seeing as all the jobs are going to be the same, same walls to be built, same plasterwork and joinery then surely it could be? I may be wrong! This is why I moved away from site work! Because of the red tape you have to go through to comply. Building houses for private clients is way simpler.

Thanks Delwint

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Then you are main contractor and subby needs to submit his RAMS to you, you will be CDM coordinator your responsibilities are detailed on the HSE site CDM2014 is far reaching and can be a nightmare.

 

As the works are repetitive the method is likely to be the same and the risks very similar. Just don't put the words generic in them and invcude site specifics I left my former employer just as I was supposed to do SMSTS but the feedback from the guys who were doing it was a real PITA but as subbys we expected to have it. It covered all this sort of stuff, welfare is a big one for HSE currently. Makes sure you have the correct provision of facilities for the number of people onsite

Edited by HDAV
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There is no cdmc anymore. There are new regs (cdm2015). Much of the role is under the principal designer or principal contractor.

 

You can end up in these roles by default so its worth reading the hse sheets about what you should be doing.

 

RAMS will have a generic element, especially if you are doing the same tasks, but they do need to be site specific. If anything goes wrong and you are caught just changing the front sheet where you reasonably should have seen additional risks you could end up in a world of pain.

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Generic RAMS can be made site specific by changing the front sheet, but you MUST also ensure nothing else has changed. A simple check to ensure it is still correct prior to starting is all it takes, you can even amend them by hand prior to starting provided the Op's are briefed on the amendments.

 

The subby should be submitting his RAMS to you, you check them then pass them on the the client/principal designer.

 

There are a good selection of RA's on the HSE website that you can download for free and amend to suit your tasks.

 

I have done the SMSTS and it's a really good course, it focuses on your legal obligations under various legislation, ACOPs, guidance notes etc and although it does cover RAs it's not the main point of the course.

 

Anyone can write a RA, we all do them in our heads all the time without realising it. It's worth remembering that the is a difference between what is asked for by law/ HSE and some of the requirements placed on subbys by main contractors.

 

bigmc

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Thanks for your advice Lord v and Bigmcg, I've spoken to a health and safety specialist today and while he can do a generic file, he has said that obviously as you have all pointed out. Some of the details would have to be site specific, is if close to a school then timing deliveries as not to cause traffic problems and the like.

I appreciate your time

Delwint

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There is no cdmc anymore. There are new regs (cdm2015). Much of the role is under the principal designer or principal contractor.

 

You can end up in these roles by default so its worth reading the hse sheets about what you should be doing.

 

RAMS will have a generic element, especially if you are doing the same tasks, but they do need to be site specific. If anything goes wrong and you are caught just changing the front sheet where you reasonably should have seen additional risks you could end up in a world of pain.

 

 

It can be very easy to unwittingly get lumbered with a load of responsibility you weren't aware of until its too late, my take is that Delwint could be the principle contractor and therefore have all of the CDM responsibilities

 

I thought 2014 was latest (glad i'm out of construction tbh)

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There is no cdmc anymore. There are new regs (cdm2015). Much of the role is under the principal designer or principal contractor.

 

You can end up in these roles by default so its worth reading the hse sheets about what you should be doing.

 

RAMS will have a generic element, especially if you are doing the same tasks, but they do need to be site specific. If anything goes wrong and you are caught just changing the front sheet where you reasonably should have seen additional risks you could end up in a world of pain.

+ 1 :yes:

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It can be very easy to unwittingly get lumbered with a load of responsibility you weren't aware of until its too late, my take is that Delwint could be the principle contractor and therefore have all of the CDM responsibilities

 

I thought 2014 was latest (glad i'm out of construction tbh)

 

Be glad - the wording for the level of responsibility has changed as well. Now the PD has to 'ensure' all designers comply with the regs. No rider of 'reasonably practicable' that existed under the CDMC role. With personal liability (rather than company liability) now to the fore then it really could be squeaky bum time for a lot of people.

 

PS - I think the domestic clients section has changed as well - not totally my bag but I could check.

 

The magistrate courts have also had their limit on fines removed as well. Talking to a solicitor the other day and he said there will be the first six figure fines anytime now. No longer will companies be advised to plead guilty asap to get a smaller fine.

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I have to look st these daily.

 

For example floor screeders about 5 pages.

 

M&E to folders! And not the thin ones!!

Same as the groundworks.

 

It's not just rams you need to consider!

 

And it's not clear if your main contractor or just sub contractor?

 

other area to consider

 

Site induction

Plant and tool certs

Plant and tool weekly checks

Tool box talks

Permits I.e working st night hot works

Check sheets

Working platform I.e pasma certs and inspections.

All the relevant administrative and record systems.

 

Smsts/ SSSTS

Accident reporting procedures

 

Etc etc.

 

You have gone the right thing and got some advice!

I don't know where your aiming to be is this a one of etc.

 

But all of this will feel a waste of time! And pointless and it is!

 

Until something goes wrong!! Then trust me you will need it all!

 

Example

 

The job I am running now!

 

Demolition

Groundworks

Steel frame install 50% brick blockwork completed

50% scaffolding completed

Basically 6months work.

 

Not one accident!

 

Till today!

 

Just a simple accident the roofer cut his wrist on a sheet and needed to get stitches. But it goes in the accident book! I will have to report it to my director, H&S will be out to investigate and take evidence etc in the event of a claim!

 

Then you understand why you do it and even more if the claim is put in!

 

No body can full advise without more details but speaking to a specialist is a very good idea! And especially if you want to grow.

 

Good luck

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Chady, I will be the main contractor, its evolving by the hour and while this initial job is a one off. If we get it right there is another 40 odd to do which will be a very profitable contract. I have a team in place ready to go they all have method statements and risk assessments. The company we will be carrying out the work for are very on the ball with health and safety. I do not want to go into the next meeting looking a fool, hence my asking for advice. Toolbox talks and checking of cscs/cpcs cards not a problem, nor are site inductions and plant checks. Also accident reporting I'm ok with. I have spoken to someone today who will produce a full health and safety folder with Coshh, risk assessments, method statements and the like and I didn't feel it was overly expensive. This was only ever a chat with someone who said can you do this? And I said I could. We are booked up already for the rest of the year without this!! And dare I mention Brexit,,,,, the construction industry is booming

As for good luck, thank you and I feel I will need it.

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@ Chady I'm in Derbyshire , however the contracts are nationwide.

@ Figgy that's exactly what I was thinking. The jobs themselves won't change a sparky will do his first and second fix. Test the work when finished, send the certificate to the local authority to get it signed off etc. Then adjust the rest for each specific location.

Edited by Delwint
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Becarefull

 

It's not all ways that simple.

 

You have to take your surroundings in to account split levels possibly asbestos roof etc. Various contaminations.

Ventilation other trades etc. Voids etc plant and tools etc.

 

 

 

We pull and get pulled up the most on things that are ok to do and the methods but because it's not in the method statement it's wrong.

 

I've pulled the safety netters up today! Because they have decided to tie the safety nett to the scaffolding handrails!

 

Now in one way it could be acceptable! But it's not!

 

Because the scaffolding is not designed to take the netting and it's not in the method statement or faset guidelines.

 

 

@ Chady I'm in Derbyshire , however the contracts are nationwide.

@ Figgy that's exactly what I was thinking. The jobs themselves won't change a sparky will do his first and second fix. Test the work when finished, send the certificate to the local authority to get it signed off etc. Then adjust the rest for each specific location.

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Well I would have thought that the nets should have been tied to the steelwork or possibly the purling's

All trades will be directly working for me, and the aim is to have all the jobs that we are contracted to do, included within the risk assessments and method statements. The jobs are all mirror images of one another. The same walls going in the same places with the same doors and so on. And that is why I am assuming, maybe wrongly!! That one set will cover us. Sparkies have there own set and so do the joiners and plumbers. I realise that with every different location that the evacuation points will be different, the hospital will be in a different town/city on every job that we do. This can be amended to suit.

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