RAMS template for flooring installers
Flooring installer RAMS should cover delivery, subfloor inspection and preparation, cutting, adhesive application, fitting, finishing and reopening the area. Silica or wood dust, solvent or sensitising products, heavy rolls, sharp blades, kneeling, trailing leads and occupied premises are common risks. COSHH 2002 requires hazardous exposure to be prevented or controlled using current product and substrate information. Confirm whether old flooring, adhesive or screed could contain asbestos before mechanical disturbance. Select dustless or effectively extracted preparation, ventilate adhesives as specified and prevent ignition where products are flammable. Use roll-handling aids and safe cutting direction, rotate prolonged kneeling, maintain an exclusion zone and agree curing times so clients do not walk onto an unsafe or unfinished surface.
- ✓Typical flooring installer tasks: Manual handling of materials, Use of portable power tools, Cutting and grinding, Cleaning with hazardous products
- ✓Sequence of works, plant, permits and PPE
- ✓Editable Word and print-ready PDF
In short
A RAMS (risk assessment and method statement) is a combined document that identifies the hazards of a specific job, the controls that reduce the risk, and the step-by-step safe method of work. UK law requires a suitable and sufficient risk assessment; main contractors usually require a RAMS before you start on site.
What it must include
- ✓Scope of works, site address, dates and who is involved
- ✓Hazards, who could be harmed and how
- ✓Control measures and the risk rating before and after
- ✓Sequence of works from preparation to completion
- ✓Plant, tools, permits and PPE
- ✓Competence, supervision and emergency arrangements
- ✓Briefing and sign-off by the people doing the work
You stay the duty holder: review the document for your site before work starts. SitePaper is a drafting tool, not a consultancy.