Working alone is not an exemption
If you do construction work, you must assess the risks and plan how to work safely, even if you have no employees. A client or main contractor may also ask you for written RAMS before you start.
Health and safety law applies to self-employed people doing construction work. It can also apply to other self-employed work that could put someone else at risk.
Source: HSE: When health and safety law applies to the self-employed · HSE: High-risk activities, including construction · HSE: Contractor responsibilities
Does every sole trader need a document called RAMS?
No single rule says every sole trader in every business must produce a document called RAMS. Your work, its risks and the rules that apply to it matter.
A risk assessment checks what could cause harm and how to prevent it. A method statement explains the safe work steps. Many clients ask for both together as RAMS.
HSE says method statements are not generally required by law for every construction activity. Some work has specific written-record requirements: demolition, dismantling and structural alteration are examples.
Source: HSE: Risk assessments and method statements · HSE: When health and safety law applies to the self-employed
What if you have fewer than five employees?
The five-employee rule concerns recording the significant findings of a general risk assessment. It does not remove the need to assess and control risks.
It also does not cancel other recording requirements or a client’s request for written RAMS. “I have no staff” is not a reason to ignore the hazards or turn up without paperwork the site has asked for.
Source: HSE: Review risk controls and update your assessment
A client has asked for RAMS. Start here
Confirm what they need before filling in a long generic document.
- Ask which task, location and dates the RAMS must cover.
- Get the site rules and any form or review process they want you to use.
- Check who else could be affected, including the public and other trades.
- Write the hazards, practical safety measures and work steps for that job.
- Have someone with the right knowledge check anything you are unsure about.
Source: HSE: Contractor responsibilities
A simple example
A self-employed decorator is working in an occupied shop. Having no staff does not remove the risk to shop workers or customers.
Before starting, they need to consider the work area, access, equipment and any products or dust involved. The shop may ask for written RAMS explaining how the work will be managed around its staff and customers.
Keep the plan useful
Describe the real job in words you can follow on site. Include who could be hurt, the safety measures you will use and the order of work.
A short plan that properly covers the job is more useful than pages of unrelated hazards. The level of detail should follow the risk, not a target page count.
If you are the only contractor on a construction project, you also need to ensure a construction phase plan is prepared before setting up the site. RAMS do not automatically cover that requirement.
Source: HSE: Contractor responsibilities
Sources
Read the full guidance for more detail.