Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS) — A Guide for Farms
What a RAMS is, when farms need one, and how to write both parts — using ATV quad bike operation as a complete worked example throughout. Includes a blank template to adapt and use.
Published 20 May 2026 · 10 min read
Guidance only — not a substitute for professional advice
This guide is an educational introduction to risk assessment and method statements. It is intended to help farmers understand what RAMS are and how they work — not to replace professional health and safety advice.
Every farm, task and situation is different. A RAMS produced for one farm may be entirely inappropriate for another. Risk assessments for high-risk activities should be reviewed by a competent health and safety professional.
The ATV example in this guide is illustrative only. Do not copy it directly and apply it to your operation without reviewing it against your specific equipment, site, personnel and working practices.
What is a RAMS?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It is a combined document that does two things:
Risk Assessment — what could go wrong
Identifies hazards, who might be harmed, how likely harm is, how serious it would be, and what controls are already in place. Produces a risk score for each hazard.
Method Statement — how it will be done safely
Describes step by step how the task will actually be carried out. The safe system of work. Turns the risk assessment into a practical operating procedure.
Together they form a safe system of work — a documented approach that shows a task has been thought through, risks identified, and a safe method defined before work starts.
When Does a Farm Need a RAMS?
Contractors working on your farm
Any contractor carrying out work on your farm — groundwork, electrical, construction, roofing, machine servicing — should provide their own RAMS before starting. As farm occupier you should request and review their RAMS before allowing work to begin.
High-risk farm activities
Activities with serious injury potential warrant a written RAMS even without a contractor: ATV and machinery operation, working at height (roofs, grain stores, silage clamps), confined space entry (slurry pits, grain silos), chainsaw use, livestock handling in unusual situations.
New tasks or new equipment
When introducing a new piece of machinery, a new chemical, or a new farm activity, a RAMS helps identify risks before the first use rather than after an incident.
Agri-environment and SFI requirements
Some scheme conditions require evidence of risk management for specific activities. A written RAMS provides that evidence.
Planning conditions
Planning conditions for new farm developments, AD plants and diversification projects sometimes require method statements for construction and operational phases.
Insurance and legal protection
In the event of an incident, a written and followed RAMS is significant evidence that risks were identified and managed. The absence of a RAMS — for a clearly high-risk activity — is equally significant.
The Numerical Risk Matrix — 1 to 9 Scoring
The risk matrix in the ATV example uses a numerical 1–3 scale for both likelihood and severity, multiplied together to give an overall risk score from 1 to 9. This gives more granularity than Low/Medium/High and is the format used by most professional RAMS documents.
Likelihood of occurrence
High
Harm is certain or near-certain to occur
Medium
Harm will often occur under normal conditions
Low
Harm will seldom occur — unlikely under normal conditions
Severity of harm
Major
Death or major injury as defined by RIDDOR (fracture, amputation, loss of sight, crush injury)
Serious
7-day injury or illness as defined by RIDDOR — incapacitation for more than 7 consecutive days
Slight
All other injuries or illness not meeting the above thresholds
| Likelihood ↓ / Severity → | Slight (1) | Serious (2) | Major (3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High (3) | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Medium (2) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Low (1) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
LOW — acceptable with controls. Monitor and review annually.
MEDIUM — additional controls should be in place or implemented.
HIGH — unacceptable. Controls must be in place before work continues.
Worked Example — ATV / Quad Bike Operation
Example only. The hazard table and method statement below illustrate the RAMS format using ATV operation as a teaching example. Do not copy this directly — your own RAMS must reflect your specific ATV, site conditions, personnel, tasks and working environment. Review with a competent health and safety adviser before use.
Task description
Operation of farm ATV while carrying out daily farm tasks — checking and moving livestock, general transport around the farm and surrounding fields, towing light trailed implements.
Part 1 — Risk Assessment: Hazard Table
| Hazard | Like. | Sev. | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
ATV Defects ATV defected before use or suffers a defect during operation | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Inexperienced Operator Operator lacks the experience or training to operate the ATV safely | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Unsafe Operator Operator is unfit to operate the ATV safely — alcohol, drugs, fatigue, medical condition | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Workplace Traffic Management ATV collisions in the farmyard where other vehicles, objects and pedestrians are present | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Occupational Road Risk Operating the ATV on public roads where other vehicles, pedestrians and objects are present | 2 | 3 | 6 |
ATV Operation General operation of the ATV while carrying out farm tasks — overturning, falls, collision | 2 | 3 | 6 |
ATV Trailed Implements Towing trailers or implements behind the ATV during farm tasks | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Example only. Scores reflect controls being in place — without controls, scores would be significantly higher. Adapt to your specific operation.
Part 2 — Method Statement: How the Task Will Be Done Safely
Pre-start check
Operator carries out ATV pre-start check before use. Checks: tyres (pressure and condition), brakes (front and rear), lights and indicators, fuel level, engine oil, throttle, kill switch, four-wheel drive engagement, cargo rack condition. Any defect found: ATV grounded, management notified, defect recorded in book.
PPE check
Operator confirms PPE is available and in serviceable condition: approved helmet (correctly fitted), steel toe safety footwear, appropriate clothing (no loose items that could catch in moving parts). High-visibility vest for public road use.
Briefing
If task involves new ground, new operator, unusual conditions or a change from normal procedure: brief all persons involved. Confirm the route, hazards specific to today, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Operation
Operate ATV within design limits at all times. Adjust speed for ground conditions, visibility and payload. Reduce speed approaching gates, junctions and livestock. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Do not use a mobile phone while operating.
Demounting (Safe Stop)
Before leaving the ATV for any reason: apply handbrake, select neutral on all controls, switch off engine, remove key. On slopes, additionally apply wheel chocks or position across the slope, never park pointing uphill or downhill on a gradient.
End of operation
Return ATV to designated storage area. Carry out post-use check — note any issues that arose during operation. Record hours used in maintenance log. Report any defect discovered to management before the next use.
Records required for ATV operation
ATV Safety — Key Points
Helmet — no exceptions
An approved helmet must be worn at all times when operating an ATV on a farm. HSE guidance is clear on this. An overturning ATV without a helmet is frequently fatal; with a helmet, survivable. There is no farm task that justifies not wearing one.
Safe Stop procedure
Before leaving the ATV for any reason: handbrake on → neutral → engine off → remove key. On slopes, position across the gradient. Never leave an ATV running unattended. The Safe Stop must become automatic — practise it every time.
LANTRA ATV competency
HSE recommends all farm ATV operators complete a LANTRA ATV Rider Skills training programme. It is not a legal requirement but is considered best practice and is expected by most farm assurance schemes including Red Tractor.
No passengers — ever
ATVs are designed for one person. Carrying a passenger — even a child, even for a short distance — fundamentally changes the handling and stability of the vehicle. It is not permitted under any circumstances.
Public road use
Operating an ATV on a public road requires a full driving licence for the relevant category and an ATV competency certificate. The vehicle must be fully roadworthy including lighting, indicators and tyres. All road traffic law applies.
Pre-use checks
Check tyres, brakes, lights, fuel, oil, throttle, kill switch and four-wheel drive engagement before every use. Record checks in the defect book. Take the ATV out of service immediately if a defect is found — do not plan to "sort it later".
Blank RAMS Template
Copy this structure into a Word document, complete one per task. The ATV example above shows how it looks when completed.
Complete your farm compliance picture
RAMS sits within a broader health and safety management system. Read our related guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional health and safety advice. Every farm, task and situation is different — a RAMS must be specific to your operation to be effective. For complex or high-risk activities, for contractor management, or where a RAMS may be used in legal proceedings, engage a qualified health and safety professional. HSE contact: hse.gov.uk or 0300 003 1647. AgriOps accepts no liability for decisions made using this guide.