The construction industry has long lagged behind other sectors in adopting digital technologies. From streamlining projects and contracts to driving sustainability and social value, many aspects of the worker journey can also benefit from technology.
But can digital platforms improve safety? The short answer is yes. As technology becomes more embedded in construction practices and operations, digitisation can also play a crucial role in improving risk management.
Read on to discover how tech can significantly enhance site safety, particularly in managing risk assessment method statements (RAMS).
What is a risk assessment method statement?
If your company employs five or more staff, you are legally required to conduct a risk assessment. These assessments are essential to maintaining a risk-free construction site and ensuring employee safety.
Following a risk assessment, a risk assessment method statement (RAMS) is created. This detailed document outlines specific hazards identified in the assessment, providing a step-by-step guide on how to mitigate risks and safeguard sites.
Why are RAMS important for the construction industry?
RAMS are particularly vital in construction due to the nature of the work. In 2023/2024, the construction industry accounted for over a third (37%) of all work-related accidental fatalities in Great Britain. Therefore, identifying risks correctly and taking appropriate preventative measures is paramount.
Effective risk assessment management prevents unsafe conditions that could cause harm to employees, contractors and visitors. RAMS are there to ensure that the employees with the right skills follow the correct procedures in the right time and place.
Additionally, RAMS are often required during the tender process. They help assess health and safety policies and prepare safety documentation for submitted tenders.
The historic problems with RAMS
For small companies, managing RAMS can mean handling hundreds of documents annually, with significantly higher numbers for larger firms. Traditionally paper-based, RAMS completion is time-consuming, often taking up to two days per document.
Poor-quality RAMS are frequently rejected by clients, requiring revision by senior staff, further consuming valuable time. Storage is another issue - paper documents are often filed away in binders, increasing the risk of loss and making compliance audits challenging. Missing records can even lead to fines and regulatory issues.
Why RAMS should be digitised
With MSite RAMS, you can enhance site safety by streamlining RAMS management within a single digital platform. A digital approach allows you to:
Automate compliance
MSite’s competency rules engine blocks site entry for workers who haven’t signed off on valid RAMS. This ensures a fully compliant site without the need for manual verification. Automated alerts notify site managers when documents need updating, keeping compliance levels high and reducing the risk of expired documentation.
Streamline digital submissions
Contractors can upload RAMS directly to MSite, eliminating email chains and paper documents. Site managers can approve or decline submissions instantly, reducing admin overhead and speeding up the process. By enabling real-time document submission and approvals, MSite ensures that project timelines are not delayed due to paperwork bottlenecks.
Integrate briefings
Workers receive and sign RAMS electronically, creating a verifiable audit trail on their MSite profile. This system centralises briefing delivery, attendance tracking and ensures all workers are informed of the latest safety updates. Digital briefings provide instant access to the most up-to-date risk assessments, ensuring that safety procedures are always current and reducing reliance on outdated paper records.
Centralise risk management
Manage worker onboarding, training, time and attendance, briefings and RAMS within one platform. Site admins can oversee and coordinate all permit-related tasks within MSite, reducing reliance on multiple systems that can lead to inefficiencies and confusion. This approach streamlines administrative tasks, reduces paperwork and ensures that compliance approvals are easily auditable.
What are the key benefits?
Integrated RAMS provide a scalable solution for construction teams prioritising efficiency and compliance. Some key benefits include:
Boost site safety
Ensure every worker is fully briefed on project-specific risks and methods, giving site teams confidence in their safety procedures. Digital records also enable swift audits and reviews, ensuring compliance is always maintained.
Streamline processes
Centralising RAMS within the MSite platform reduces admin workload and paperwork costs while ensuring instant access to up-to-date safety information for all workers. Digital templates and automated workflows further streamline the process, making it easier to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Save time and money
Significantly cut admin time and manual document handling while securing digital records for easy access. Reduced reliance on paper documentation means fewer printing and storage costs, while automated updates minimise delays and inefficiencies.
Secure compliance
Store and manage historical RAMS in the cloud for quick retrieval and enhanced legal protection. Traditional paper-based RAMS can be easily outdated, leading to compliance risks. A digital system ensures updates are seamlessly incorporated and accessible. MSite also provides timestamped logs, offering a clear audit trail that protects businesses from potential legal disputes.
Improve communication
Digitisation enhances how information is captured, stored and shared, ensuring valuable safety data is accessible across the business. A centralised risk register improves oversight for health and safety teams, reducing enforcement risks through better coordination and communication.
To find out more about MSite and the best solutions for your business, contact us today.