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General building · United Kingdom

RAMS for bathroom refurbishment

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from HSE guidance and CDM 2015 · How we write and check theseUpdated

You must assess the risks of bathroom refurbishment and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

RAMS cover the hazards, who could be harmed and how, the controls and the safe sequence of work, and the crew is briefed and signs. The main hazards are silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, disturbing asbestos, electric shock from live wiring and fire from hot works.

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RAMS example: bathroom refurbishment

This is a complete RAMS for bathroom refurbishment, with 10 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS)
Bathroom renovation · General building · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Check the asbestos survey; older bathrooms and kitchens often have asbestos boards or tiles
  • Disturbing asbestos
Workers, Occupants, PublicVery high (15)
  • Before work on any building built before 2000, check the refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey for the work area (HSE HSG264). If there is none, presume asbestos is present or have it sampled before you start. Eliminate
  • Seal off the work area and keep everyone else out. Isolate
  • If asbestos must be disturbed, keep it wet, use hand tools not power tools, and clean up with an H-class vacuum. Control (engineering)
  • Most asbestos insulation, coatings and insulating board need a licensed contractor. Notifiable non-licensed work is notified to HSE before it starts. Other work needs trained workers and controls. Control (procedures)
  • Stop work straight away if you find suspect asbestos. Do not touch it and tell your supervisor. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a fit-tested FFP3 mask (or better) and disposable type 5 coveralls. PPE
Medium (5)
2Separate the work area from occupants with dust screens and keep a toilet available
  • Working in an occupied home or building
  • General dust
Residents, Children, Staff, Workers, OccupantsMedium (9)
  • Plan noisy, dusty or risky work for when the building is empty. Eliminate
  • Close off the work area with barriers, plastic sheeting or locked doors, and put up signs. Isolate
  • Keep fire exits and paths clear at all times. Control (procedures)
  • Tell occupants before you turn off power, water or gas, and before noisy or dusty work. Control (procedures)
  • Lock away tools, chemicals and materials each day, out of reach of children. Control (procedures)
  • Clean up dust and debris at the end of each day. Control (procedures)
  • Use low-dust products, such as dust-reduced or pre-mixed compounds. Reduce / substitute
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting in occupied buildings. Isolate
  • Use tools with dust extraction and a vacuum for clean up. Control (engineering)
  • Lightly mist the area with water to keep dust down, away from anything electrical. Control (engineering)
  • Never dry sweep or blow dust off with compressed air. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a dust mask and safety glasses. PPE
Low (4)
3Isolate water and power to the room, lock off and label
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Stored energy
Workers, OccupantsVery high (15)
  • Isolate the power before any work. Do not work live. Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag the isolation point with your own personal lock and danger tag. Isolate
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 7 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Release or block all stored energy before work: release the pressure in pipes, tanks and hoses, bleed hydraulics, release springs, lower loads. Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag all energy sources with personal locks. Isolate
  • Put mechanical blocks or props under raised parts like buckets, tipper bodies and doors. Control (engineering)
  • Test that the system is dead and nothing can move before you start. Control (procedures)
  • Follow the maker's procedure, for example for garage door and roller door springs. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses and gloves. PPE
Medium (5)
4Remove fixtures, the toilet and glass shower screens carefully
  • Glass handling and breakage
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
  • Sewage and wastewater
Workers, OccupantsHigh (12)
  • Use suction lifters, glass trolleys or a glazing robot for large panes. Control (engineering)
  • Store glass upright on racks and secure it. Never lay it flat or lean it loosely. Control (engineering)
  • Use two or more people for large panes, and clear the carry route first. Control (procedures)
  • Mark new glass with tape or stickers so nobody walks into it. Control (procedures)
  • Clean up broken glass straight away into a marked container. Control (procedures)
  • Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate
  • Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Reduce / substitute
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Flush and drain the line before opening it, and plan the job to avoid contact. Eliminate
  • Use drain cameras, jetters and long-handled tools to keep hands out. Control (engineering)
  • Cover cuts with waterproof dressings. Never eat, drink or smoke before washing. Control (procedures)
  • Wash hands well and clean tools and boots after the job. Control (procedures)
  • Keep vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis A up to date, on medical advice. Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
5Strip tiles and linings with dust control
  • Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles
  • Loud noise
  • Hand-arm and whole-body vibration
Workers, People nearbyVery high (20)
  • Order materials cut to size, or use low-dust methods such as score and snap or a block splitter. Reduce / substitute
  • Cut outdoors or in a separate area, with other people well away and upwind. Isolate
  • Use water on the blade or on-tool dust extraction connected to an H-class vacuum. Control (engineering)
  • Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Control (procedures)
  • Do a COSHH assessment and keep exposure below the workplace exposure limit (0.1 mg/m3 respirable crystalline silica, 8 hours). Control (procedures)
  • Workers regularly exposed to silica dust get health surveillance (COSHH reg 11, HSE G404). Control (procedures)
  • Wear a fit-tested FFP3 mask. PPE
  • Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate
  • Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Control (engineering)
  • Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Control (procedures)
  • If you have to shout to be heard by someone 2 metres away, the noise is probably 85 dB(A) or more: wear hearing protection. Control (procedures)
  • Assess noise. At 85 dB(A) or more, hearing protection is required and the zone must be marked. Control (procedures)
  • Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Control (engineering)
  • Limit trigger time using the HSE vibration calculator to stay below the exposure action value, and rotate workers. Control (procedures)
  • Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Control (procedures)
  • Report tingling, numbness or white fingers early. Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
6Check for mould, rot and damaged framing once linings are off
  • Mould and droppings
  • Structural collapse during alterations
Workers, OccupantsHigh (10)
  • Fix the water leak and dry the area before removing mould. Eliminate
  • Seal off the area with plastic sheeting and keep occupants out. Isolate
  • Clean up with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Control (engineering)
  • Bag mouldy material on site and remove it promptly. Control (procedures)
  • Wash hands and face before eating and at the end of each shift. Control (procedures)
  • Wear an FFP3 mask, gloves, goggles and disposable coveralls. PPE
  • Get an engineer to check before removing any wall, beam, post or bracing that may be load-bearing. Eliminate
  • Keep everyone clear of the area under and next to the work. Isolate
  • Install temporary props, needles or shoring as designed before removing any support. Control (engineering)
  • Follow the engineer's sequence. Do not change it without approval. Control (procedures)
  • Check props daily. Do not remove them until the permanent support is in and approved. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a hard hat and safety boots. PPE
Medium (5)
7Rough in plumbing and electrical by competent trades: a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas and a qualified electrician for electrics
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Fire from hot works
Workers, Occupants, PublicVery high (15)
  • Isolate the power before any work. Do not work live. Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag the isolation point with your own personal lock and danger tag. Isolate
  • Prove dead at the point of work with an approved voltage indicator (GS38), and prove the tester before and after. Control (engineering)
  • Only competent, qualified electricians do electrical work, following a safe isolation procedure. Control (procedures)
  • Check for back feeds from solar, batteries and generators that can keep a circuit live after the main switch is off. Control (procedures)
  • If live work cannot be avoided, use a permit, a safety observer and insulated tools. Control (procedures)
  • Wear insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing and a face shield when testing or working near live parts. PPE
  • Use cold work methods where you can, such as bolting, press fittings or cutting with a saw instead of a torch. Eliminate
  • Move anything that can burn at least 10 metres away, or cover it with fire blankets. Isolate
  • Use fire-resistant screens to stop sparks reaching people or gaps in walls and floors. Control (engineering)
  • Get a hot work permit before starting. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a charged fire extinguisher and fire blanket at the work spot. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a fire watch during the work and for at least 60 minutes after you finish. Control (procedures)
  • Check for smouldering behind walls, in ceilings and under floors before you leave. Control (procedures)
  • Wear flame-resistant clothing, welding gloves and eye or face protection. PPE
Medium (5)
8Sheet and waterproof with good ventilation
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Workers, OccupantsHigh (12)
  • Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Reduce / substitute
  • Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Control (engineering)
  • Do a COSHH assessment and read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use. Control (procedures)
  • Keep chemicals in labelled containers. Never decant into drink bottles. Control (procedures)
  • Store chemicals away from heat, food and drink, and keep products that react with each other apart. Control (procedures)
  • Have eye wash and a spill kit nearby, and wash hands before eating. Control (procedures)
  • Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles as listed on the SDS. PPE
  • Use a respirator with the right cartridge if the SDS calls for one. PPE
  • Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate
  • Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Reduce / substitute
  • Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Control (engineering)
  • Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Control (procedures)
  • Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Control (procedures)
  • Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE
Medium (6)
9Tile, cutting wet
  • Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles
  • Saw cuts and kickback
  • Repetitive work and awkward postures
Workers, People nearbyVery high (20)
  • Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Keep blade guards fitted and working, and use the riving knife on table saws. Control (engineering)
  • Use push sticks and clamps, and support long pieces so they do not pinch the blade. Control (engineering)
  • Use a sharp, undamaged blade made for the material. Control (procedures)
  • Stand to one side of the blade line, out of the kickback path. Control (procedures)
  • Let the blade stop fully before reaching in or putting the saw down. Control (procedures)
  • Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Reduce / substitute
  • Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Control (engineering)
  • Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Control (engineering)
  • Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Control (procedures)
  • Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
10Fit off fixtures, test and clean up
  • Slips and trips
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Workers, Visitors, PublicMedium (8)
  • Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Eliminate
  • Run leads and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Control (engineering)
  • Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Control (engineering)
  • Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Control (procedures)
  • Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety boots with good grip, laced up. PPE
  • Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate
  • Put skips and waste chutes close to the work. Control (engineering)
  • Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Control (procedures)
  • Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Control (procedures)
  • Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Control (procedures)
  • Use a registered waste carrier and keep waste transfer notes for at least 2 years. Keep hazardous waste such as asbestos separate, with consignment notes (special waste in Scotland). Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE
Low (4)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Check the asbestos survey; older bathrooms and kitchens often have asbestos boards or tiles
  2. Separate the work area from occupants with dust screens and keep a toilet available
  3. Isolate water and power to the room, lock off and label
  4. Remove fixtures, the toilet and glass shower screens carefully
  5. Strip tiles and linings with dust control
  6. Check for mould, rot and damaged framing once linings are off
  7. Rough in plumbing and electrical by competent trades: a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas and a qualified electrician for electrics
  8. Sheet and waterproof with good ventilation
  9. Tile, cutting wet
  10. Fit off fixtures, test and clean up

PPE

Safety bootsSafety glassesFFP3 dust maskEar defendersCut-resistant glovesKnee padsHalf-mask respirator (P3 filters)CoverallsRigger glovesChemical-resistant glovesSafety gogglesFace shieldWelding gauntlets

Plant and equipment

BreakerWet tile cutterPower drillH-class dust extractorHand tools

Permits and plans

Permit to work (electrical isolation)Hot works permit (fire watch at least 60 minutes after)

Emergency

Call 999. Add the nearest A&E, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this RAMS.

Free RAMS template for bathroom refurbishment

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this RAMS

Pre-start checklist for bathroom refurbishment

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

The safe sequence of work

  1. Check the asbestos survey; older bathrooms and kitchens often have asbestos boards or tiles
  2. Separate the work area from occupants with dust screens and keep a toilet available
  3. Isolate water and power to the room, lock off and label
  4. Remove fixtures, the toilet and glass shower screens carefully
  5. Strip tiles and linings with dust control
  6. Check for mould, rot and damaged framing once linings are off
  7. Rough in plumbing and electrical by competent trades: a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas and a qualified electrician for electrics
  8. Sheet and waterproof with good ventilation
  9. Tile, cutting wet
  10. Fit off fixtures, test and clean up

Hazards to watch on bathroom refurbishment

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 6Mould and droppingsWater-damaged buildings, bird and rat droppings and dead animals hold mould and germs that cause breathing problems and infections.
Step 4Sewage and wastewaterContact with sewage spreads germs that cause stomach illness, hepatitis and skin infections.
Step 4Glass handling and breakageGlass panes break while being moved or fitted, causing deep cuts, or heavy panels fall and crush.
Step 3Stored energyEnergy left in springs, hydraulics, compressed gas, raised loads or capacitors releases suddenly and crushes or injures workers.
Step 7Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Step 2Working in an occupied home or buildingResidents, staff or children wander into the work area and get hurt, or the work blocks exits or cuts off power or water while people are inside.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on bathroom refurbishment: Very high before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United Kingdom 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatal becomes unlikely and major injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

  • Will anyone work at height, anywhere a fall could hurt them?
  • Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
  • Will anyone work on a roof?
  • Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
  • Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?

Why RAMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

  • The method statement is only a list of headings that repeats the risk table and never says how the work is done.
  • The method sequence does not match the risk assessment, for example the method strips the roof before the scaffold is handed over.
  • Residual risk is still High after controls with no extra measures or explanation.
  • It reads as copied: another firm, another address, or wording that does not fit UK sites. HSE warns that copying an example and adding your name does not satisfy the law.
  • Work on an older building with no reference to an asbestos survey.
  • Plant and access equipment listed with no inspection, thorough examination or competence evidence.
  • No briefing record, no revision history, or no named supervisor.

Questions

Do I need RAMS for bathroom refurbishment?

You must assess the risks of bathroom refurbishment and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

Who signs the RAMS?

The person who wrote it and the person who approved it sign and date it. Every worker signs the briefing register after it is explained to them, and the principal contractor reviews and accepts it before you start.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this RAMS, every revision and the signed briefing register with the site file for the length of the job, and keep a copy in your records afterwards.

What PPE is needed for bathroom refurbishment?

Usually Safety boots, Safety glasses, FFP3 dust mask, Ear defenders, Cut-resistant gloves, Knee pads, Half-mask respirator (P3 filters), Coveralls, Rigger gloves, Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety goggles, Face shield, Welding gauntlets. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More general building RAMS

RAMSSite Set Up6 stepsRAMSA House Extension7 stepsRAMSKitchen Refit5 stepsRAMSNew Build House6 stepsRAMSShed Construction5 stepsRAMSGarden Annexe Construction5 stepsRAMSGeneral Maintenance6 steps

Related jobs in other trades

DemolitionSoft StripAlso involves disturbing asbestosBricklayingBrickworkAlso involves general dustElectricalConsumer Unit ReplacementAlso involves working in an occupied home or buildingRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves disturbing asbestos

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkWorking at HeightToolbox talkSilica DustToolbox talkAsbestos AwarenessToolbox talkManual Handling and Back Safety

Blank RAMS template: free RAMS templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)

Sources