Rank: Forum user 
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Hi
I am preparing for a operatives discussion meeting and I want to explain the importance of RAMS and what happens if we don't work to them and are prosecuted, does anyone have any examples of individuals being prosecuted?
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user 
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For not following a RAMS? I have never heard of such a thing going to court. Wouldn't it be very widely reported if such a prosecution did happen?
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Rank: Forum user
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Apologies, I am looking for examples of operatives being prosecuted...rather than directors
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think that's still pretty rare. I remember one of a forklift driver being prosecuted not so long ago - if you seach for that you may find a case.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Do the operatives actually write the RAMS?
Rhetorical question as in most cases RAMS are issued by company management to satisfy a request from the client or principal contractor. If they are lucky there will be an operatives briefing and possibly even reviews of suitability and pertinence during the project. Whilst it is up to the operatives to follow the RAMS (I used to joke "if your RAMS say you have to wear a pink Tutu then as client I expect to see you in a pink Tutu") their suitability and sufficiency is down to the management. As management are meant to ensure RAMS are followed it would be unlikely any operative would be prosecuted as presumably disciplinary procedures should have kicked in before any HSE involvement. RAMS are written work instruction so any failure by the operative to comply with legitimate management instruction (a pink Tutu would not be legitimate) should trigger investigation with disciplinary outcomes up to and including dismissal.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Do the operatives actually write the RAMS?
Rhetorical question as in most cases RAMS are issued by company management to satisfy a request from the client or principal contractor. If they are lucky there will be an operatives briefing and possibly even reviews of suitability and pertinence during the project. Whilst it is up to the operatives to follow the RAMS (I used to joke "if your RAMS say you have to wear a pink Tutu then as client I expect to see you in a pink Tutu") their suitability and sufficiency is down to the management. As management are meant to ensure RAMS are followed it would be unlikely any operative would be prosecuted as presumably disciplinary procedures should have kicked in before any HSE involvement. RAMS are written work instruction so any failure by the operative to comply with legitimate management instruction (a pink Tutu would not be legitimate) should trigger investigation with disciplinary outcomes up to and including dismissal.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Here are a few real cases you could share in your meeting: (I have tried to put the most appropriate link to the informationb for verification but no guarantees... ;) ) Roofer jailed for ignoring RAMS (2019)
- A roofing contractor in Manchester was sentenced to 8 months in prison after a worker fell 30 feet and suffered serious injuries.
- The court found he completely ignored the RAMS that required edge protection and fall arrest systems.ioshmagazine.com
Construction site supervisor fined (2021)
- A site supervisor in London was personally fined after allowing workers to carry out demolition work without following the written method statement. The Safety Effect
- The HSE highlighted that supervisors have a personal duty to enforce RAMS, not just companies.
Director given suspended prison sentence (2018)
- A company director in Birmingham received a 12-month suspended prison sentence after a worker was killed in a fall from height.
- RAMS had been prepared, but were not implemented or enforced, showing that “paperwork only” is not enough. bevanbrittan.com
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Rank: Super forum user
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In 30 years of working as an inspector i only ever once prosecuted an individual, and he was the sole trader of a small electrical company. Not following a RAMS is usually an immediate cause, as an inspector i was more interested in why the RAM had been ignored, what were the underlying and route causes. As an advisor i still find managers that think if they have written RAMS then they can pass on responsibility to the staff member and forget about their duty to monitor/manage etc.
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 1 user thanked HSSnail for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you all for your help, I am trying to get the guys to a least read the rams and with what I have found and what you have sent me,. This will all help with getting the operatives engagement.
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