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craigroberts76  
#1 Posted : 21 February 2020 17:37:25(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
craigroberts76

I've set up an EXCEL system to create RAMS.  The site and client info is added, the type of work is selected and then any other specifics (ladder work, scaffolding etc) is selected, this then generates a PDF file with COSHH included.  My name and position is on the RAMS as I've ok'd the RAMS template, but I'm unhappy that RAMS are created that I dont know about as others in the company create them.  I've suggested that we add a new section that states who "compiled" the RAMS to protect me a little more, now no-ones happy and saying it isnt needed.  The work we carry out is fairly safe and the RAMS are almost generic for site to site, but what does anyone else do? do you have just 1 person who does them?

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 21 February 2020 18:40:16(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Does the document properties box of the created pdf show an author?

When I worked with a similar sheet system the compiler was the first item that had to be entered (four of us were creating RAMS).

We all kept our own electronic versions of those we had authored 

Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 21 February 2020 18:40:16(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Does the document properties box of the created pdf show an author?

When I worked with a similar sheet system the compiler was the first item that had to be entered (four of us were creating RAMS).

We all kept our own electronic versions of those we had authored 

RayRapp  
#4 Posted : 22 February 2020 09:35:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Whoever creates the RAMS is presumably empowered to do so by the organisation. Therefore it is the organisation who is responsible for them. As an agent of the company it is not necessary to take ownership of documents by adding a name.

I have written many documents as an employee, very few ever included my name.

Kate  
#5 Posted : 23 February 2020 07:49:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

"To protect me" isn't a compelling reason for other people to accept this suggestion.  Indeed, since the converse of "to protect me" is "to open others up to blame" it has the opposite tendency.

There may be many good reasons for putting the author's name on the document.  For example, in case there are any queries about the content of the document that the author may be able to answer.  Putting the case for the suggestion in these terms may be more productive.

Centurion  
#6 Posted : 23 February 2020 09:02:16(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Centurion

Craig

As others have mentioned there is no need for your name to appear on the document.

RAMS should be clearly approved on site by the person actively overseeing /completing the work and in conjunction with the site mangement - if they have a presence.

If court action were to take place following a serious incident, then part of the procedure is for RAMs to be requested as evidence.  

Any names appearing on the document giving the impression of authorisation / approval would be held to account.

 

craigroberts76  
#7 Posted : 24 February 2020 13:11:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
craigroberts76

thanks all.

My name is on the RAMS and the H&S Manager for the company, whilst I'm happy that the RAMS are correct and I update them regulary when required, I'm not happy that my name is on them as the sole name (other than the end technician) when I'm on leave etc.  I've said that it is also so queries can be raised if they're not correct or I need to check with the person who created them, but they're not happy to have their name on them.

For now all RAM's will come through me until I can see a better solution.  I've seen work being scheduled that was working at height, and yet the RAMS didnt include it... 

AdamSykes  
#8 Posted : 24 February 2020 23:33:15(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
AdamSykes

Hi

In our company all the risk assesments have the authors name on the document and every risk assesment has been drawn up from scratch to suit each and every single type of job / task we do on site and if a new task needs doing then a new risk assesment is filled in from a blank to suit that task and is then kept on file incase the same job crops up in future.

The author if each risk assesment is generally a supervisor with the most experience of the task at hand that the risk assesment is being drawn up for or the Operations Manager.

Having the authors name on the document enables questions about the task and assesment to be directed to the source very quickly.

In my view having Risk assesments drawn up by un-named individuals creates a learning block because if a risk assesments is found to be totally insufficient and the author cannot be traced then you lose the ability to give sufficient training / information to an individual who's just going to continue drawing up weak risk assesments and will be unable to assist and give them the tools to improve.

Roundtuit  
#9 Posted : 25 February 2020 08:21:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Whilst admirable a task specialist is used for authoring if the work was checked prior to publication and presumably training to others then the need for a name in the situation you describe would be unecessary.

The HSE Risk Assessment template does not contain a space for listing author names.

Roundtuit  
#10 Posted : 25 February 2020 08:21:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Whilst admirable a task specialist is used for authoring if the work was checked prior to publication and presumably training to others then the need for a name in the situation you describe would be unecessary.

The HSE Risk Assessment template does not contain a space for listing author names.

AdamSykes  
#11 Posted : 25 February 2020 10:40:40(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
AdamSykes

Originally Posted by: Roundtuit Go to Quoted Post

Whilst admirable a task specialist is used for authoring if the work was checked prior to publication and presumably training to others then the need for a name in the situation you describe would be unecessary.

The HSE Risk Assessment template does not contain a space for listing author names.

I'm not saying this is how they "should" be done, the HSE only state risk assesments need to be suitable and sufficient and our method of showing suitable & sufficient is by being able to trace the source of the assesments and the knowledge trail we create and the way it can help going forward.

Not everyone uses HSE templates anyway :)

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