Method Statement Template | How-to Guide

1 Risk Assessment and Method Statement | RAMS Template

2 RAMS Template
2.1 RAMS Template | Watch our Risk Assessment Training
2.1.1 Difference between Risk Assessment and Method Statement
2.1.2 What is a Method Statement?
2.1.3 Why is a Method Statement useful?
2.1.4 Linking your Risk Assessment and Method Statement
2.1.5 When to use a Method Statement
2.1.6 Who should write a Method Statement?
2.1.7 How to write a Method Statement
2.1.7.1 Section A: Basic Information
2.1.7.2 Section B: Health & Safety Arrangements
2.1.7.3 Part C: Sequence of Work / How the Task will be Carried Out
What is a Method Statement?
A method statement is a management document that
outlines how a job will be carried out.

The method statement should describe, in logical steps, the

specific actions that need to be taken to complete the task
safely.

It is usually created by the person or group of people that are

managing and/or conducting the work.

Why is a Method Statement useful?

Primarily, it is beneficial to help educate and inform those carrying out the work.

If created properly, the document should reflect that you have thoroughly considered the
process, managed the risks, and provided suitable plant and equipment for the activity. It also
satisfies the requirement to provide adequate information and training to employees.

Equally, it gives employees the opportunity to highlight any missing steps or additional
resources that they may require to carry out the work.

Furthermore, a suitably detailed and descriptive method statement is a demonstration of your

company’s competence to complete a specific piece of work. Risk assessments and method
statements are very often required as part of pre-qualification and tendering processes across
many industries, particularly construction.
If your business completes tasks with significant risk on a regular basis, it’s extremely
valuable (and legally compliant) to create professional risk assessments and method
statements for both your employees and your clients.

Both should be reviewed as and when significant changes to the job or technique being used
should occur. The relevant stakeholders should then be sufficiently briefed on these changes.

Linking your Risk Assessment and Method Statement

Risk assessments and method statements should compliment each other – that’s why we have
them together in a simple RAMS template download.

The information in a method statement should be directly relevant and relatable to the
findings of your risk assessment.

If the two documents exist for one activity, they should align and not conflict with one
another.

For example, let’s say that you have found the use of ladders
for working at height is not acceptable for a planned task via
your risk assessment. You must make sure that the alternative
strategy e.g. use of a mobile scaffold, is reflected in how you
are proposing to carry out the work. When you update your
method statement, make sure that the corresponding risk
assessment is updated to align, and vice versa.
When to use a Method Statement
A method statement should be used when it is necessary to outline the key steps required
during a work activity or process.

It is usually used as a tool for non-standard or complex processes.

Even for simpler processes, it may be worthwhile to create a generic method statement.

The free method statement and risk assessment template (bottom of page) allows you to
outline the critical elements of the work process, ensuring that those involved can be
informed on the requirements & risk controls for the job. This helps to ensure the work can
be carried out safely.
Who should write a Method Statement?

Anyone can be given responsibility to write a method

statement. In construction, if you are a sub-contractor, you
may be responsible for creating your own method statement.

If your company is managing a project with multiple

contractors (i.e. Prinicipal or Main Contractor), then you may
be primarily responsible for the co-ordination and
communication of the method statements.
You may be thinking that you don’t know anything about the
task. That’s OK, providing that you get hold of the right people
to help you. Delegation for carrying out this function should be
outlined as part of the Roles & Responsibilities section of
your Health and Safety policy.

In other words, you’ll want to find those with the best

understanding and competence around the task to help
complete the risk assessment and method statement template
(RAMS).

How to write a Method Statement

It is important that you keep your method statement as

concise and simple as possible.

In certain cases, you may wish to also include diagrams or

sketches if they would be useful for supervisors or operators
to follow.

As your method statement is likely to be viewed by clients as

well as workers, you should start your document with
important general information as an introduction to the
project.
 Depending on the project, the method statement document
may be a comprehensive work plan for your activity. Here’s an
example of the information that may be contained in a method
statement;

Section A: Basic Information

This can vary to what is appropriate to your business, but may include:

 Company Details
 The name of the project and its reference.
 A brief description of the task.
 Where the work is taking place.
 Estimated start and finish times for the activity (Dates).
 Names of relevant team members & contact details

Section B: Health & Safety Arrangements

Having outlined the basics, you can then include (where

applicable):

 First aid procedures, including the qualified first aider/s on site

 Work permits such as the Permit to Work and any other legal
requirements
 Minimum competence required for skilled operators e.g. plant
operators
 Staff or site-specific training that may be required
 Key equipment that will be needed, e.g. telehandler, mobile
crane, piling rig etc.
 Personal protective equipment (PPE) needed (mandatory
minimum and task-specific)
 Waste management arrangements

Part C: Sequence of Work / How the Task will be Carried Out

This section of the method statement should be the most thorough and detailed (but simple
even for people to understand it).

It must clearly outline what hazards will be present during the work.
Considering these risks, you must give step-by-step instructions as to how the task should
be carried out.

These control measures make sure all workplace practices are carried out safely by everyone.