What are Risk Assessments?
Risk assessments help you spot potential hazards before they cause harm. They’re key to keeping your team safe, your workplace running smoothly, and your business protected.
But they’re not just paperwork to tick a box and file away. A good risk assessment is a practical exercise. It’s about really understanding the job, identifying the hazards, and putting sensible controls in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
The real value with a risk assessment comes from the conversations with your team, building a shared understanding of how to work safely, and regularly reviewing what’s in place to make sure it still makes sense.
And despite what some people think, risk assessments aren’t there to slow things down. When done well, they make work easier, not harder.
What are RAMS?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessments and Method Statements.
Together, they explain the risks of a task and how the work will be done safely.
The risk assessment identifies the hazards, and the method statement sets out the safe steps to carry out the job.
RAMS are often needed for high-risk work or when working on other people’s sites – and they’re a great way to keep everyone clear and confident.
What kind of Risk Assessment do I need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to risk assessments. The type you need depends on the work you do and who’s involved. Here are some of the most common:
Workplace – looks at your whole workplace, how it is used, who's at risk and what needs to be in place to keep people safe from harm.
Task-based – Focuses on specific jobs or activities to make sure they’re carried out safely.
Fire – Considers how a fire could start, what materials might fuel it, and whether your detection, protection, and escape routes are up to scratch.
DSE (Display Screen Equipment) – For anyone using laptops, tablets, smartphones, or monitors. It’s a vital check to help protect health and prevent aches, pains, and eye strain.
Homeworking – Out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind. If someone’s working from home regularly, they need the same support as anyone in the workplace. A homeworking risk assessment looks at things like DSE, first aid, fire safety, and general wellbeing – a great step to support your team.
COSHH – Looks at how hazardous substances are used, stored, and handled in your business. It helps you understand the risks to health from things like cleaning products, fumes, dust, oils, or chemicals – and what needs to be in place to keep people safe.
DSEAR – looks at risks from flammable gases, vapours, dusts, or liquids that could cause fire or explosions. It checks how these substances are used and stored, and what’s needed to keep people safe.
Young Persons – Looks at risks for younger workers who may need extra supervision or support.
New and Expectant Mothers – Reviews tasks and environments to make sure they’re safe during pregnancy and beyond.
Machinery – Checks that equipment and machinery are used and maintained safely.
Workplace Transport – Manages risks from vehicles and people moving around your site.
Stress – Looks at causes of work-related stress and how they can be reduced to protect mental health.
Driving for Work – Assesses risks for anyone driving as part of their role, including journeys and vehicle condition.
Not sure which ones apply to your business? We’re here to help. We’ll talk it through and make sure you’ve got the right ones in place.
How can ApplaudBC help?
At ApplaudBC, we support you in the way that works best for your business. You can choose from our H&S Documentation Package (checkout our H&S Packages page), which provides customisable templates for policies and procedures, or we can work with you to develop policies tailored to your processes and help implement them in your organisation. Or anything in between!
Whichever option you choose, we make sure your policies and procedures are manageable, practical, and beneficial—helping you stay compliant while making health and safety work for your business.
Our typical process for development of documentation:
1. Review
Review existing documentation against requirements and identify gaps to be filled
2. Data gathering
Gather information needed to develop documentation - this may be a chat with the relevant people or a visit to site to observe ....
3. Develop documentation
Write documentation in line with specific needs of business. Opportunities for feedback so that 100% accurate.
4. Delivery and implementation
Deliver in preferred format. Support in implementation such as training, briefings, audit of new processes etc.
Need help getting it right? Get in touch – we’ll make sure your policies and procedures are practical, effective, and tailored to how your business really works.