Toolbox talk: briefing the day's RAMS

When to use it

Before a task starts, when the RAMS runs to many pages and the gang needs the parts that matter today. The RAMS stays the controlling document and the supervisor delivering the briefing owns it. AI only helps turn it into something people will actually listen to.

The prompt

You are helping a UK site supervisor prepare a five-minute pre-start briefing from a method statement and risk assessment (RAMS).

Today's task: [WHAT THE GANG IS DOING TODAY, WHERE AND WITH WHAT PLANT]
Site conditions today: [WEATHER, OTHER TRADES NEARBY, ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM USUAL]

From the RAMS below, write a briefing with:
- What we're doing today, in two or three sentences.
- The main hazards for today's task, no more than five, in plain words.
- The controls for each hazard, exactly as the RAMS states them.
- PPE and permits needed for today's task.
- Stop points: when to stop work and who to tell.
- Emergency arrangements: first aiders, assembly point and nearest first aid kit, as given in the RAMS.
- Three questions to ask the gang to check they've understood.

Rules: only use controls that are in the RAMS. Do not add, soften or change any control. If today's task or conditions aren't covered by the RAMS, say so clearly at the top of the briefing, because the RAMS needs reviewing before work starts. Use short sentences and UK spelling.

RAMS:
[PASTE RAMS]

What it produced

A one-page briefing: a short description of the day's task, up to five hazards each with the RAMS controls set against them, the PPE and permits needed, clear stop points, the emergency arrangements and three check questions. Where the task or conditions went beyond the RAMS, it said so at the top instead of filling the gap.

What you still check

• Every control matches the RAMS word for word, and nothing has been dropped or softened.
• The briefing fits what's actually happening today, including any change in conditions or other trades nearby.
• If the briefing flags a gap, the RAMS is reviewed by a competent person before work starts.
• Everyone briefed signs the record, including anyone who arrives late.

Steps

1. Read the RAMS yourself first, then paste it with a note of today's task and conditions.
2. Run the prompt and check every control against the RAMS.
3. Deliver the briefing at the workface, ask the three questions and get everyone to sign.