Hi Adam, having been on both sides of this issue, I understand that clients are reluctant to approve RAMS because of the fear of lialbility. I know some clients prefer to accept RAMS rather than approve them. Many clients employ specialist contractors who are best placed to complete their RAMS. However as a contractor you should be requesting your clients risk assessments to understand what risks the client is putting your elpoyees at. You also need to visit the premises to confirm the risks. Dynamic risk assessments are always a good idea as conditions on sites do vary or change from day to day. Your client still has a duty of care to contractors working on their premises.

Gary.

I was in the exact same situation, eventually had to change "approved" to "acknowledged" however some of our customers still didn't even bother to reply... I put it across that we wouldn't carry out the works until RAMS were acknowledged still didn't change the situation as we still went and carried out the works £££.... I just didn't have the full backup of the powers that be. 

It's a shame that the RAMS process is still just seen as a paperwork exercise/obstacle. 

Good idea Lucy "if we do not hear back from them within five working days we will assume the RAMS are approved" I will use this in future. 

The approach that has finally worked for us is calling the customer directly to confirm not just RAMS but other vital information logistics, storage, hazards etc. I hate calling I would much rather an email however sometimes they just don't reply..