Let’s start the week off the right way by focusing on the Importance of Site Inductions and Issuing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)

While visiting construction sites this week, a recurring issue stood out, operatives not being properly inducted and failing to sign their RAMS. This was raised with site managers, as both are essential to maintaining a safe working environment.

A site induction isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s vital for ensuring that every worker understands the site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and health and safety requirements. Without it, operatives may unknowingly put themselves and others at risk.

Likewise, ensuring all have been issued, have received training on, and then signing their task-specific RAMS confirms that workers have been briefed on, have read, and understood the safe systems of work in place.

If operatives aren’t being issued them or are just asked to sign them without any form of briefing to confirm understanding, there’s no guarantee they are aware of the risks, or the control measures designed to keep them safe.

Beyond the obvious safety concerns, failing to induct workers or ensure they’ve been issued RAMS can lead to serious legal and compliance issues. Under CDM 2015 regulations, site managers and employers have a duty to manage risks effectively, something that can’t be achieved if operatives aren’t properly briefed or inducted.

Safety starts with awareness.

If operatives aren’t being inducted or reviewing RAMS, they’re working blind to potential dangers. It’s a simple but crucial step that should never be overlooked.

Did you know that EC Safety Solutions has developed an electronic induction process that can be used by all of our clients for onboarding new staff?

This innovative solution streamlines the induction process, ensuring that every new hire is properly briefed and ready to work safely.

Let’s prioritise safety and ensure every worker goes home safe