A RAMS document combines a risk assessment (what could go wrong, how likely, how severe, what controls reduce it) with a method statement (the safe step-by-step way to do the job). It is expected for higher-risk cleaning tasks — working at height, using powered equipment, handling biohazards, or using stronger chemicals — and often requested by clients before work starts.
Download the template
Download the PDFA fillable RAMS form with the risk-assessment matrix and method-statement structure below.
Risk assessment fields
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Task | e.g. high-level window cleaning, floor stripping, biohazard clean-up |
| Hazards identified | e.g. fall from height, slips, chemical exposure, manual handling |
| Who might be harmed | Operative, other staff, public, site visitors |
| Likelihood (1-5) | Rate before controls applied |
| Severity (1-5) | Rate before controls applied |
| Risk rating | Likelihood x severity |
| Control measures | e.g. correct access equipment, PPE, COSHH controls, signage/barriers |
| Residual risk rating | Rate again after controls applied |
Method statement structure
- Scope of works and location
- Personnel involved and their competence/training
- Equipment and materials required, including PPE
- Step-by-step sequence of the work, in the order it will be carried out
- Specific controls at each step (e.g. barrier off the area before floor stripping; two-person lift for heavy equipment)
- Emergency arrangements (who to contact, nearest first-aider, spillage procedure)
- Sign-off: prepared by, reviewed by, date, and site induction record
When a RAMS is expected
- Working at height (window cleaning above ground level, high-level dusting with access equipment)
- Use of powered cleaning equipment (floor scrubbers, pressure washers)
- Biohazard, trauma or contamination cleaning
- Use of stronger or restricted chemicals (floor strippers, some disinfectants)
- Any task a client's own site rules specifically require a RAMS for before access is granted
Keeping RAMS current
Review and reissue a RAMS whenever the task, site, equipment or chemicals change — a RAMS written for one building is not automatically valid for another with different access, layout or risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a RAMS a legal requirement for all cleaning?
Not for every routine task, but higher-risk work (height, powered equipment, biohazards, restricted chemicals) should have one, and many client sites require it as a condition of access regardless of the underlying legal minimum.
What is the difference between a RAMS and a COSHH assessment?
A COSHH assessment focuses specifically on hazardous substances; a RAMS is broader and covers the whole task, including physical hazards like falls or manual handling, and often references the relevant COSHH assessment as one of its controls.
Who should write the RAMS?
Someone competent in the specific task, reviewed by a supervisor — not a generic template filled in without someone actually walking through the job.