NEBOSH Diploma · CertIOSH · 35 Years UK Construction

Plant & Machinery Operations Method Statements & Risk Assessments

Plant RAMS are rejected when they describe the machine rather than the operation. Reviewers want the exclusion zone, the segregation arrangement, the named competent operators with current cards, and — where the plant lifts anything at all — recognition that LOLER 1998 applies.

24–48hr turnaround
18-point compliance standard
Resubmission included
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Activities covered

Each document is written for the specific activity, site and programme — not adapted from a template for the trade.

Excavator and 360° machine operations
Telehandler and forklift operations
Dumper and dozer operations
Piling rig and drilling operations
Road-going and site plant movements
Attachment changing and quick hitch use
Refuelling, maintenance and inspection
Plant lifting operations

Hazards the assessment must address

  • Plant striking pedestrians and other operatives
  • Plant overturning on slopes and soft ground
  • Quick hitch failure and attachment release
  • Contact with overhead and buried services
  • Blind spots and restricted visibility
  • Uncontrolled movement and runaway plant
  • Crush injuries between plant and structures
  • Noise, vibration and exhaust emissions
  • Failure of lifting equipment and accessories

Regulations that apply

PUWER 1998Suitability, inspection, maintenance and operator training and competence.
LOLER 1998Regulation 8 — engages whenever plant is used to lift a load, including with an excavator.
CDM 2015Regulation 27 — traffic routes and segregation of plant from people.
ISO 10567Excavator lift capacity determination — the correct basis for object handling duties.
HSG144 / HSG136Safe use of vehicles on construction sites and workplace transport.
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005Whole-body vibration exposure for operators.

Why plant operations RAMS get rejected

These are the findings that come up repeatedly on the reviewing side for this trade. If your document has been returned, the reason is very likely in this list.

Lifting with plant not recognised as a lifting operation requiring a LOLER plan
Operator competence stated as "trained" with no CPCS or NPORS category evidenced
Exclusion zones stated without reference to machine reach or slew radius
Quick hitch type and safety pin regime not described
Thorough examination for the machine in lifting duties not referenced
Object handling capacity taken from lifting capacity rather than ISO 10567 duties
No segregation arrangement between plant and pedestrians
Refuelling, maintenance and daily inspection regime absent

Already been rejected? Send the document and the reviewer's comments. We diagnose exactly why it failed, rewrite it against your site information, and support the resubmission until it is accepted — at no extra charge.

The lifting element people miss

This is where the two halves of what we do meet. Any plant used to lift a load — an excavator placing a pipe, a telehandler on hook duties — falls under LOLER 1998 and needs a written plan by a competent person. We produce both documents as a CPCS A61 Appointed Person.

See our excavator lift plans

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Other trades we write for

Method statements and risk assessments across the full range of construction activities.

Groundworks →Demolition →Roofing & work at height →M&E installation →Steel erection →Concrete & temporary works →All trades →

Need plant operations RAMS that get accepted?

Fixed price, quoted the same day, written to the standard principal contractors review against.

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