SafetyPaperwork
Heating and ventilation · United Kingdom

Method statement for air conditioning installation

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

You must assess the risks of air conditioning installation 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 falling from height, silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, electric shock from live wiring and fire from hot works.

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RAMS example: air conditioning installation

This is a complete RAMS for air conditioning installation, 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)
Split system air conditioning unit installation · Heating and ventilation · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Plan unit positions, checking walls for cables and pipes
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Gas and fuel lines
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
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Isolate and purge the line before work, with the owner's approval. Eliminate
  • Lock off and tag the isolation valve. Isolate
  • Check for leaks with a gas detector before and during work, and ventilate the area. Control (engineering)
  • Only Gas Safe registered engineers work on gas fittings. Control (procedures)
  • Remove ignition sources: no smoking, no hot work and no sparking tools near the line. Control (procedures)
  • Know where the shut-off valve is and what to do if a leak happens. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses and gloves, and keep a fire extinguisher close by. PPE
Medium (5)
2Set up a platform ladder or scaffold for high walls and the outdoor unit
  • Falling from a ladder
  • Falling from height
Workers, People belowVery high (20)
  • Use a podium step, mobile tower or MEWP for longer jobs instead of a straight ladder. Reduce / substitute
  • Use EN 131 professional ladders in good condition. Remove any damaged ladder from site. Control (engineering)
  • Set extension ladders at a 4 to 1 angle on firm, level ground, tied or footed, and reaching 1 metre above the landing. Control (engineering)
  • Use ladders only for short, light work (about 30 minutes in one spot). Do not carry heavy or awkward loads up a ladder. Control (procedures)
  • Keep three points of contact and your belt buckle between the stiles. Do not overreach. Control (procedures)
  • Do not work off the top three rungs of a leaning ladder. On a stepladder, do not stand on the top two steps (top three on swing-back or double-sided steps) unless there is a suitable handhold. Control (procedures)
  • Check the ladder before each use: feet, rungs, stiles and locks. Control (procedures)
  • Wear non-slip safety boots with clean soles. PPE
  • Do the work from the ground where you can, for example pre-assemble on the ground or use extension poles. Eliminate
  • Install guardrails or edge protection on all open edges before work starts. Isolate
  • Use a scaffold, mobile tower or MEWP instead of working off a ladder. Control (engineering)
  • Where edge protection is not practical, use a fall restraint or fall arrest system on a rated anchor point. Control (engineering)
  • Have a rescue plan so a worker hanging in a harness can be brought down within minutes. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a full body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard, clipped on at all times when using fall arrest. PPE
Medium (8)
3Core drill the wall with dust extraction
  • Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles
  • Loud noise
  • Injury from power tools
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)
  • Keep all guards fitted and working. Never tie back or remove a guard. Control (engineering)
  • Clamp or secure the work piece. Do not hold it by hand. Control (engineering)
  • Only trained, competent people use power tools, following the maker's instructions. Control (procedures)
  • Check tools before use. Unplug or remove the battery before changing blades or bits. Control (procedures)
  • No loose clothing, jewellery or long hair near spinning parts. Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
4Fix the wall bracket and mount the indoor unit
  • Falling from a ladder
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
WorkersHigh (12)
  • Falling from a ladder: see step 2 for the full controls 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 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
5Lift the outdoor unit with two people onto its bracket or pad
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
  • Falling from height
Workers, People belowVery high (20)
  • 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
  • Falling from height: see step 2 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
6Run and flare the pipework, brazing only under a hot work permit
  • Refrigerant leaks
  • Fire from hot works
  • Burns from hot surfaces
Workers, Occupants, PublicVery high (15)
  • Recover refrigerant into an approved cylinder before opening the system. Never vent it. Isolate
  • Ventilate closed spaces and use a leak detector during the work. Control (engineering)
  • Only F-gas certified engineers handle refrigerants. Control (procedures)
  • With flammable refrigerants (such as R32 or R290), remove ignition sources and use spark-free tools. Control (procedures)
  • Wear cold-rated gloves and safety glasses or a face shield. 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)
  • Isolate heating systems and let parts cool before you touch them. Eliminate
  • Fit guards or insulation on hot pipes and equipment. Control (engineering)
  • Mark hot items with chalk or a "HOT" sign so others know. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a first aid kit and cool running water nearby for burns. Control (procedures)
  • Wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves. PPE
Medium (5)
7Pressure test with dry nitrogen through a regulator, keeping clear of fittings under pressure
  • Pressure testing
Workers, OccupantsMedium (8)
  • Test with water instead of air or gas where the system allows it. Never put water in refrigerant pipework, which is tested with dry nitrogen. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep people out of the test area with signs and barriers. Isolate
  • Use a calibrated gauge and a relief valve set to protect the system. Control (engineering)
  • Test to the pressure the system calls for and hold it for the set time. Never go over. Control (procedures)
  • Release the pressure fully before tightening anything or fixing leaks. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses or a face shield. PPE
Low (4)
8Electrical connection by a qualified electrician, with the circuit isolated
  • Electric shock from live wiring
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
  • 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
Medium (5)
9Vacuum the system, open the service valves to let the outdoor unit's factory charge into the pipework, then commission
  • Refrigerant leaks
Workers, OccupantsMedium (8)
  • Refrigerant leaks: see step 6 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Low (4)
10Clean up and show the client how to use the system
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Workers, VisitorsMedium (8)
  • 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. Plan unit positions, checking walls for cables and pipes
  2. Set up a platform ladder or scaffold for high walls and the outdoor unit
  3. Core drill the wall with dust extraction
  4. Fix the wall bracket and mount the indoor unit
  5. Lift the outdoor unit with two people onto its bracket or pad
  6. Run and flare the pipework, brazing only under a hot work permit
  7. Pressure test with dry nitrogen through a regulator, keeping clear of fittings under pressure
  8. Electrical connection by a qualified electrician, with the circuit isolated
  9. Vacuum the system, open the service valves to let the outdoor unit's factory charge into the pipework, then commission
  10. Clean up and show the client how to use the system

PPE

Safety bootsSafety glassesRigger glovesFFP3 dust maskEar defendersInsulated electrical glovesArc-rated clothing and face shieldSafety helmetHalf-mask respirator (P3 filters)Face shieldWelding gauntletsCoveralls

Plant and equipment

Power drillDiamond core drillExtension ladderElectrical test equipment (multifunction tester)Hand 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 air conditioning installation

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 air conditioning installation

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

The safe sequence of work

  1. Plan unit positions, checking walls for cables and pipes
  2. Set up a platform ladder or scaffold for high walls and the outdoor unit
  3. Core drill the wall with dust extraction
  4. Fix the wall bracket and mount the indoor unit
  5. Lift the outdoor unit with two people onto its bracket or pad
  6. Run and flare the pipework, brazing only under a hot work permit
  7. Pressure test with dry nitrogen through a regulator, keeping clear of fittings under pressure
  8. Electrical connection by a qualified electrician, with the circuit isolated
  9. Vacuum the system, open the service valves to let the outdoor unit's factory charge into the pipework, then commission
  10. Clean up and show the client how to use the system

Hazards to watch on air conditioning installation

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

Step 6, 9Refrigerant leaksRefrigerant gas causes frostbite, pushes oxygen out of small rooms, and some types catch fire.
Step 6Burns from hot surfacesTouching hot pipes, tools, bitumen, solder or freshly welded metal burns the skin.
Step 7Pressure testingA pipe, fitting or cap fails under test pressure and blows apart, hitting people nearby.
Step 6Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Step 1Gas and fuel linesDamaging or opening a gas or fuel line causes a leak, fire or explosion.
Step 3Injury from power toolsDrills, saws, routers and sanders kick back, catch clothing or throw debris, causing cuts, broken bones and eye injuries.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on air conditioning installation: 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 work on a roof?
  • Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
  • Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?
  • Will you use a MEWP (scissor lift or cherry picker)?

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 air conditioning installation?

You must assess the risks of air conditioning installation 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 air conditioning installation?

Usually Safety boots, Safety glasses, Rigger gloves, FFP3 dust mask, Ear defenders, Insulated electrical gloves, Arc-rated clothing and face shield, Safety helmet, Half-mask respirator (P3 filters), Face shield, Welding gauntlets, Coveralls. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More heating and ventilation RAMS

RAMSDucted Air Conditioning6 stepsRAMSBoiler Replacement6 stepsRAMSAir Conditioning Maintenance5 stepsRAMSRooftop AHU Replacement6 stepsRAMSDuctwork Installation5 stepsRAMSF-Gas Leak Repair6 steps

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Toolbox talks for this job

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

Sources