An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a contractor RAMS review form is
A contractor RAMS review form is used to record that a contractor’s risk assessment and method statement have been reviewed by the host organisation, that they are suitable for the site and task, and that any gaps were resolved before work began.
This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, and reviewing RAMS does not make the contractor’s work compliant — the employer decides what an acceptable review looks like.
Purpose
- Record that the contractor’s RAMS were reviewed before work.
- Confirm the method and controls suit the actual site and task.
- Capture any gaps raised and how they were resolved.
- Provide a documented gate before the contractor proceeds.
Who completes it
- A competent person the employer authorises to review RAMS.
- With input from the site team who know the local hazards.
- The contractor responds to any points raised.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the reviewer is competent.
When it is used
- Before a contractor starts work that needs a method statement.
- When the method, scope or site conditions change.
- After an incident that questions the method.
- When re-engaging a contractor for similar work.
Typical fields
- Contractor, task and the RAMS reference reviewed.
- Reviewer name, role and date.
- Checks: hazards covered, controls suitable, site-specific issues.
- Gaps or queries raised and the contractor’s response.
- Outcome: accepted, accepted with conditions, or returned.
- Example fields only — adapt to your task, risk and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Accepting RAMS without reading them against the actual site.
- Treating a generic method statement as site-specific.
- Not following up on gaps before work starts.
- No record of who reviewed or what was agreed.
Document workflow
A RAMS review usually follows contractor approval and competency checks and comes before any permit handover and the start of work. Its findings may feed conditions into the approval and the site briefing, and an incident later may trigger a fresh review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a contractor RAMS review.
Retention (high level)
RAMS reviews are usually kept with the contractor’s file and the reviewed RAMS for the duration of the work and a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations.
This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
RAMS reviews are commonly completed and stored as PDFs attached to the reviewed RAMS. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the RAMS or the review official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Ensure the reviewer is competent and understands the site.
- Check the RAMS against the real task, not a template.
- Resolve gaps before work starts, and record the outcome.
- Keep the review with the RAMS and any conditions set.
Contractor notes
- Provide RAMS that match the actual task and site.
- Respond to review points before starting work.
- Work to the agreed method, and flag if conditions change.
Country considerations
Most countries expect higher-risk work to be planned and controlled, but how method statements and risk assessments are expected to be prepared and reviewed differs, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for ensuring contractors’ methods are suitable for the site and for compliance, and the contractor is responsible for the safe execution of their work. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make any work compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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