Safety checklists, RAMS and SPA

Who this is for: field workers and supervisors.

What you will learn: what a RAMS and SPA are, how to complete a safety checklist, why a job may be blocked, and what to do when conditions change.

Before you start work

You may see a start-of-day check, a vehicle walk-around or a job RAMS/SPA. These are not the same as the job checklist.

Complete the safety records before you start the work. The server will block ordinary progression if a mandatory record is missing, incomplete or unsigned.

Open Safety in the PWA or Job → Safety / RAMS in Android. Both apps cache the template and save answers offline. The office dashboard is Jobs → Safety checklists (or Settings → Safety templates to edit a tenant copy).

Complete a RAMS/SPA

1. Read the whole method statement, not just the first section.
2. Check the site, task, equipment and crew match the actual work.
3. Review each hazard and control. If a hazard is missing, add it or stop.
4. Score initial and residual risk from 1 to 5. Do not lower a score to make the form pass.
5. Complete the permits, PPE, training and emergency sections.
6. Sign your role.
7. Make sure every worker on site is briefed and signs the briefing.
8. Submit. You cannot change the record after that, so check it before you send it.

A worker briefing needs each person’s name, signature, time and location. A typed name alone is not a briefing.

If the job is blocked

A block means something required is missing or a check has failed. Common reasons:

• no completed RAMS/SPA;
• a missing signature or briefing;
• a failed critical item;
• an open significant change;
• a start-of-day check that is not complete;
• an outstanding defect on your assigned vehicle.

Don't try to get around the block. Call your supervisor. A manager can override a gate with a reason, but not a critical failure, a missing signature or an open change flag.

If something changes

If conditions, equipment, people or the method change:

1. Stop work if the change makes the work unsafe.
2. Raise a significant change and describe what changed.
3. The job is held and the supervisor is notified.
4. Read the amended RAMS and sign the new briefing before work continues.

Vehicle walk-around

1. Complete the daily check before driving.
2. Record tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, wipers, fluids, documents, safety equipment and load security.
3. Record the mileage.
4. If a critical item fails, stop using the vehicle.
5. Add a photograph and describe the defect.
6. Tell the office. The vehicle is out of service until a supervisor resolves it with a note, photo and signature.

Never drive a vehicle with a tyre, brake or roadworthiness defect because the job is urgent.

Copy from the customer

If the office copies a previous RAMS for the same customer, the copy arrives as a draft. Answers for this job and every signature are cleared. Wait for a competent person to review it and brief you before you start.

Check your understanding

1. What is the difference between a RAMS, an SPA and a job checklist?
2. What does a worker briefing record?
3. What should you do when a significant change is raised?
4. What must you never do with a vehicle defect?
5. Why can you not just copy the old signatures?

Related: Checklists and evidence · Safety, documents and acknowledgements · Shift and visit checks · Office: safety checklists, RAMS and SPA