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Plumbing · United Kingdom

Method statement for gas installation

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

You must assess the risks of gas 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 electric shock from live wiring, fire from hot works, lifting and carrying heavy loads and gas and fuel lines.

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RAMS example: gas installation

This is a complete RAMS for gas installation, with 6 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)
Gas fitting and appliance connection · Plumbing · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Only a Gas Safe registered engineer does this work. Tell occupants and remove ignition sources
  • Gas and fuel lines
  • Working in an occupied home or building
Workers, Occupants, Public, Residents, Children, StaffHigh (10)
  • 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
  • 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)
Medium (5)
2Isolate gas at the meter, lock off and label, and purge the line
  • Gas and fuel lines
  • Stored energy
  • Fire and emergencies
Workers, Occupants, Public, VisitorsHigh (10)
  • Gas and fuel lines: see step 1 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)
  • Provide fire extinguishers suited to the site, checked and easy to reach. Control (engineering)
  • Keep exits and escape routes clear and signed. Control (engineering)
  • Have a site emergency plan: alarm, exits, assembly point and emergency contacts. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a stocked first aid kit and at least one trained first aider on site. Control (procedures)
  • Know the site address and how emergency services get in. Call 999. Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
3Run and join new pipe, checking there are no electrical cables in the way
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Injury from power tools
  • Tight spaces: roof spaces and under floors
Workers, Occupants, People nearbyVery 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)
  • 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)
  • Do as much of the work as you can from outside the tight space. Eliminate
  • Turn the power off at the consumer unit or distribution board before entering where you can, as damaged cables may be live. Isolate
  • Lay crawl boards across the joists so you cannot step through the ceiling. Control (engineering)
  • Set up ventilation and lighting in the space. Control (engineering)
  • Limit time in hot roof spaces and take breaks somewhere cool. Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
4Connect the appliance and seal all joints
  • Gas and fuel lines
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Workers, Occupants, PublicHigh (12)
  • Gas and fuel lines: see step 1 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
  • 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)
5Pressure and leak test, then light and commission the appliance
  • Pressure testing
  • Gas and fuel lines
  • Fire from hot works
Workers, Occupants, PublicVery high (15)
  • 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)
  • Gas and fuel lines: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • 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)
Medium (5)
6Issue the compliance certificate and clean up
  • 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. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer does this work. Tell occupants and remove ignition sources
  2. Isolate gas at the meter, lock off and label, and purge the line
  3. Run and join new pipe, checking there are no electrical cables in the way
  4. Connect the appliance and seal all joints
  5. Pressure and leak test, then light and commission the appliance
  6. Issue the compliance certificate and clean up

PPE

Safety bootsSafety glassesRigger glovesFFP3 dust maskEar defendersKnee padsSafety helmetFace shieldWelding gauntletsCoveralls

Plant and equipment

Hand toolsPress fitting toolElectrical test equipment (multifunction tester)Power drill

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 gas 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 gas installation

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

The safe sequence of work

  1. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer does this work. Tell occupants and remove ignition sources
  2. Isolate gas at the meter, lock off and label, and purge the line
  3. Run and join new pipe, checking there are no electrical cables in the way
  4. Connect the appliance and seal all joints
  5. Pressure and leak test, then light and commission the appliance
  6. Issue the compliance certificate and clean up

Hazards to watch on gas installation

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

Step 3Tight spaces: roof spaces and under floorsCrawling through roof spaces, under floors or in tight ceilings leads to falls through the ceiling, heat stress, shocks and cuts.
Step 5Pressure testingA pipe, fitting or cap fails under test pressure and blows apart, hitting people nearby.
Step 2Fire and emergenciesA fire, injury or other emergency happens and workers cannot get out, raise the alarm or get first aid in time.
Step 2Stored energyEnergy left in springs, hydraulics, compressed gas, raised loads or capacitors releases suddenly and crushes or injures workers.
Step 5Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Step 1, 2, 4, 5Gas and fuel linesDamaging or opening a gas or fuel line causes a leak, fire or explosion.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on gas installation: Very high before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United Kingdom 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible and fatal becomes unlikely and lost time 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 gas installation?

You must assess the risks of gas 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 gas installation?

Usually Safety boots, Safety glasses, Rigger gloves, FFP3 dust mask, Ear defenders, Knee pads, Safety helmet, Face shield, Welding gauntlets, Coveralls. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More plumbing RAMS

RAMSHot Water Cylinder Replacement10 stepsRAMSDrain Jetting6 stepsRAMSBathroom First Fix Plumbing6 stepsRAMSBurst Pipe Repair6 stepsRAMSToilet and Tap Installation5 stepsRAMSBackflow Prevention Testing5 stepsRAMSDrain Excavation and Repair6 steps

Related jobs in other trades

DemolitionSoft StripAlso involves electric shock from live wiringElectricalConsumer Unit ReplacementAlso involves working in an occupied home or buildingRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves injury from power tools

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkWorking at HeightToolbox talkOverhead Power LinesToolbox talkExtension Leads and Power ToolsToolbox talkWorking in Cold Weather

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

Sources