RAMS Software vs H&S Consultant
Should you pay £300-500 for a consultant to write each RAMS, or generate compliant documents yourself in 2 minutes? Here is the honest comparison.
7
Software Wins
2
Tied
3
Consultant Wins
Point-by-Point Comparison
| RAMS Software | H&S Consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per document | Unlimited for £49/mo | £300 - £500+ |
| Time to complete | Under 2 minutes | 2-7 business days |
| UK legislation cited | Automatic (CDM, COSHH, PUWER, EAWR) | Manual (depends on consultant competence) |
| Trade-specific hazards | AI-generated from 35+ trade databases | Based on consultant experience |
| Revisions and edits | Unlimited, instant | Usually 1-2 included, then hourly rate |
| Available 24/7 | Yes | No (business hours) |
| COSHH assessments | Included (swiftRMS) | Usually separate charge |
| SSOW included | Included (swiftRMS) | Usually separate charge |
| Complex or novel projects | Good for standard tasks | Better for unusual or high-risk projects |
| Site visits included | No | Sometimes, at additional cost |
| Insurance/PI cover | N/A (you remain responsible) | PI insurance included |
| Scalability | Unlimited documents | Limited by consultant availability |
Annual Cost Comparison
Based on a contractor producing 10 RAMS documents per month:
swiftRMS Pro
£588/year
- Unlimited documents
- COSHH and SSOW included
- Unlimited edits and revisions
- Available instantly, 24/7
External Consultant
£48,000/year
- 10 RAMS/month at £400 each
- COSHH usually separate
- Revisions cost extra
- 2-7 day turnaround
Annual saving: £47,412 (98.8% cost reduction)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can RAMS software replace a health and safety consultant entirely?
For standard construction and security tasks, yes. AI-powered RAMS software like swiftRMS generates documents that cite correct UK legislation, include trade-specific hazards, and produce professional PDFs. For complex CDM-notifiable projects, novel risks, or when a named competent person is contractually required, a consultant may still be needed.
Is software-generated RAMS accepted by principal contractors?
Yes. Principal contractors assess RAMS on the quality and completeness of the content, not the authoring method. A compliant RAMS from swiftRMS that correctly identifies hazards, cites legislation, and specifies control measures is indistinguishable from a consultant-written document.
How much can I save by switching from a consultant to RAMS software?
A contractor producing 10 RAMS per month would spend £3,000-£5,000 monthly on consultant fees. swiftRMS Pro at £49/month covers unlimited documents, saving over £47,000 per year. Even at lower volumes, the savings are significant: 3 documents per month saves £10,000+ annually.
What if I need both software and a consultant?
Many contractors use a hybrid approach: software for routine, repeatable tasks (domestic installations, standard maintenance) and a consultant for complex projects. This reduces consultant costs by 70-80% while maintaining expert support for high-risk work.