Who needs RAMS?
Reviewed September 2026 · Written by Complys and checked against HSE and legislation.gov.uk guidance (sources below).
RAMS aren't only for big principal contractors. Because they flow from duties that apply to almost everyone who carries out work, they reach sole traders and national contractors alike. Here's who needs them, and who will ask to see them.
Employers and the self-employed
Anyone who employs people, and the self-employed, owe the duty to assess risk under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and to work safely under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. That's the risk-assessment half of RAMS, and it applies whether you're a one-van business or a 200-strong firm.
Contractors and subcontractors
On construction work, CDM 2015 requires every contractor to plan, manage and monitor their own work so it's carried out without risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. Task-specific RAMS are how most contractors demonstrate they've done that — which is why subcontractors are routinely asked for RAMS per package of work.
Principal contractors and clients
On projects with more than one contractor, the principal contractor is responsible for the construction phase plan and for coordinating everyone's work. They — and the client — set the standard, and typically require every contractor's RAMS to be submitted and reviewed before work begins.
"No RAMS, no access"
In practice, the most common reason people need RAMS is simply that they can't get on site without them. Requiring approved RAMS before granting access is how principal contractors discharge their duty to manage the site — so a missing or weak RAMS can stop your crew working that day.
Sole traders and small firms
If you have fewer than five employees you don't have to write your risk assessment down by law — but you still have to do the assessment, and you'll still be asked for a written RAMS before you can work on most commercial or construction sites. A ready-to-go RAMS is often the difference between winning the work and losing it.
Stop writing RAMS from scratch
Complys builds a complete, CDM-ready RAMS for your trade in minutes — hazards, controls, PPE, legislation, sequence of works and plant register — as a branded PDF you can share.
Sources
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 (risk assessment)
- CDM 2015, reg 15 (duties of contractors)
- CDM 2015, reg 12 (construction phase plan)
- HSE — Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Health and safety law and HSE guidance change over time — always check the current HSE and legislation.gov.uk guidance for your work.
Who needs RAMS? — FAQs
Do subcontractors need RAMS?
Almost always. Principal contractors require each subcontractor's RAMS before granting site access, and CDM 2015 requires contractors to plan and manage their own work — which RAMS demonstrate.
Do sole traders need RAMS?
You must assess the risks of your work by law even as a sole trader. You don't have to write the risk assessment down unless you employ five or more people, but you'll still be asked for a written RAMS on most sites.
Who is responsible for producing RAMS?
The contractor doing the work produces RAMS for their own tasks. The principal contractor coordinates and reviews everyone's RAMS and holds the construction phase plan.
Why do I keep being asked for RAMS before starting?
Because the principal contractor and client have a legal duty to plan and manage the site. Reviewing your RAMS before access is how they meet it.