RAMS for Cleaning Contractors

Quick answer

RAMS for cleaning contractors are risk assessments and method statements that explain how cleaning work will be carried out safely. They are often requested by commercial clients, facilities managers, councils and principal contractors alongside insurance certificates.

For the main quote route, compare cleaning contractors insurance for UK cleaning businesses, including public liability, employers liability, tools, key holding, property damage and contract requirements, or start a cleaning contractors insurance quote.

Insurers may ask about

Cleaning activities, premises cleaned, staff numbers, subcontractors, chemicals, working at height, equipment values, key holding, claims history and contract limits.

Common claims

Typical cleaning contractor claims can involve wet floor slips, water damage, chemical damage, damaged customer property, stolen equipment or employee injuries.

Client documents may include

Commercial clients may request public liability certificates, employers liability certificates, RAMS, COSHH assessments, subcontractor evidence and health and safety documents.

What RAMS Mean For Cleaning Contractors

RAMS stands for risk assessments and method statements. For cleaning contractors, the risk assessment identifies hazards such as slips, chemicals, electrical equipment, working at height, manual handling, public access, lone working and machinery. The method statement explains how the task will be carried out safely, including controls, equipment, PPE, supervision and emergency actions. RAMS are not an insurance policy, but they help demonstrate that the contractor understands the work and has a practical plan for reducing preventable incidents before staff arrive on site.

• Risk assessments identify hazards
• Method statements explain safe working steps
• Controls, PPE and supervision are recorded
• Useful evidence for clients and insurers

When Cleaning Clients Request RAMS

Commercial clients often request RAMS before approving work on occupied premises, public spaces, schools, healthcare sites, construction sites, shopping centres, factories, warehouses and facilities management contracts. RAMS are especially common where cleaning takes place out of hours, around members of the public, near machinery, at height or with chemicals. A generic document may not satisfy a client if the site or task has specific hazards. Contractors should adapt RAMS to the premises, activity, equipment, timing, access arrangements and people who could be affected.

• Occupied and public-access premises
• Schools, healthcare and public sector sites
• Factories, warehouses and construction settings
• Out-of-hours, height and chemical work

What Cleaning RAMS Should Cover

Effective cleaning RAMS usually cover the task, location, staff, equipment, chemicals, COSHH controls, PPE, signage, barriers, waste handling, electrical safety, manual handling, emergency procedures and reporting. For higher-risk cleaning, they may also cover ladder use, powered access, water-fed poles, pressure washers, hot works, biohazards, infection control, machinery isolation or confined spaces. RAMS should be understood by the team doing the work, not simply filed for procurement. Training records, toolbox talks and supervisor checks can help show that the controls are actually being used.

• Task, site and access arrangements
• Chemicals, COSHH, PPE and signage
• Equipment, electrical and manual handling controls
• Emergency procedures and incident reporting

How RAMS Support Insurance And Tenders

Insurers and clients care about RAMS because good controls can reduce the chance of slips, damage, chemical incidents, employee injuries and contract disputes. RAMS can also be useful after an incident because they show what should have happened and what instructions were given. Cleaning contractors should review RAMS when activities, chemicals, equipment, staff, premises or contract requirements change. Insure24 can help UK cleaning contractors compare suitable insurance options while considering how RAMS, COSHH, training and certificates support a stronger risk presentation.

• Supports tender and onboarding evidence
• Shows planned controls for known hazards
• Useful after incidents or near misses
• Should be reviewed when work changes