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Welding and fabrication · United Kingdom

Method statement for structural steel erection

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

You must assess the risks of structural steel erection 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, welding and cutting fumes, MEWP tip-over or crush and fire from hot works.

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RAMS example: structural steel erection

This is a complete RAMS for structural steel erection, with 9 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)
Structural steel erection · Welding and fabrication · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Review the erection sequence and lift plan, and check the crane sits on firm ground
  • Crane and lifting failure
  • Structural collapse during alterations
Workers, Public, OccupantsHigh (10)
  • Barricade the lift zone and keep everyone out from under the load. Isolate
  • Use a crane rated for the load at the radius, set up on firm ground with outrigger pads. Control (engineering)
  • Check slings, chains, shackles and hooks before use. Remove anything damaged or not tagged. Control (engineering)
  • Have a lift plan made by an appointed person, following LOLER. Control (procedures)
  • Use CPCS or NPORS carded crane operators, slingers and signallers. Control (procedures)
  • Use tag lines to control loads and agree on clear radio or hand signals. Control (procedures)
  • Stop lifting in high wind or when the operator cannot see the signaller. Control (procedures)
  • Never ride on a load or hook. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a hard hat, hi-vis, gloves and safety boots. 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
  • Structural collapse during alterations: see step 7 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
2Check for power lines and set the exclusion zone
  • Contact with overhead power lines
  • Public entering the work area
  • Falling tools and materials
Workers, Plant operators, Public, Children, People belowHigh (12)
  • Ask the distribution network operator (DNO) to turn off, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Eliminate
  • Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Reduce / substitute
  • Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all plant and people outside it. Isolate
  • Follow HSE GS6: barriers, goal posts under the lines and a permit for work near them. Control (procedures)
  • Use a dedicated spotter whenever plant moves or raises anything near lines. Control (procedures)
  • Treat all lines as live. If plant touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Control (procedures)
  • Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Isolate
  • Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for prams and wheelchairs. Isolate
  • Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Control (engineering)
  • Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Control (procedures)
  • Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower plant, remove ladders and lock tools away. Control (procedures)
  • Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Isolate
  • Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Control (engineering)
  • Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
3Check holding down bolts and footings are ready before steel arrives
  • Structural collapse during alterations
Workers, OccupantsHigh (10)
  • 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)
  • Structural collapse during alterations: see step 7 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
4Sling and lift members with a slinger signaller
  • Crane and lifting failure
  • Falling tools and materials
  • Strong wind and storms
Workers, Public, People belowHigh (12)
  • Crane and lifting failure: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Control (engineering)
  • Tether hand tools when working at height. Control (engineering)
  • Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Eliminate
  • Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Control (engineering)
  • Strong wind and storms: see step 7 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
5Guide members into place with tag lines, never standing under the load, and line up bolt holes with a podger, never fingers
  • Falling tools and materials
  • Crane and lifting failure
Workers, Public, People belowHigh (12)
  • Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Isolate
  • Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Control (engineering)
  • Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Control (engineering)
  • Tether hand tools when working at height. Control (engineering)
  • Keep platforms tidy. Do not stack materials near edges or above toe board height. Control (procedures)
  • Lower materials with a hoist, chute or rope. Never throw or drop anything down. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a hard hat anywhere objects could fall. PPE
  • Crane and lifting failure: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (8)
6Bolt connections from the MEWP, clipped on
  • MEWP tip-over or crush
  • Falling from height
Workers, People nearby, People belowVery high (20)
  • Check the ground before setting up. Use outriggers and spreader pads, and keep clear of trenches, pits and slopes. Control (engineering)
  • Use a platform with tilt alarm and secondary guarding (anti-entrapment) where there is an overhead crush risk. Control (engineering)
  • Use IPAF-trained operators for MEWPs, carrying their PAL card. Control (procedures)
  • Do a pre-start check each day. Keep a trained person on the ground who can lower the platform in an emergency. Control (procedures)
  • Never exceed the safe working load, climb on the rails or use a ladder in the basket. Control (procedures)
  • In boom-type platforms, wear a harness clipped to the basket anchor point. 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 (5)
7Install temporary bracing or guying to the erection design before releasing the crane from each member, and leave it until the permanent bracing is complete
  • Structural collapse during alterations
  • Strong wind and storms
Workers, Occupants, PublicHigh (12)
  • 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
  • Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Eliminate
  • Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Control (engineering)
  • Set wind limits for roof work, platforms and cranes, using the manufacturer's limits, and stop when they are reached. Control (procedures)
  • Stop work and get down in lightning. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back up. Control (procedures)
  • Check scaffold, fencing and edge protection after strong wind before anyone uses them. Control (procedures)
  • Do not carry large sheets on roofs in wind. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a hard hat with a chin strap at height in windy conditions. PPE
Medium (5)
8Plumb the frame, then tension bolts or weld under a hot work permit
  • Welding and cutting fumes
  • Fire from hot works
  • Eye injuries
Workers, People nearby, Occupants, PublicVery high (16)
  • Remove paint, galvanising and coatings from the weld area first, or use a process that makes less fume. Reduce / substitute
  • Use fume extraction (local exhaust ventilation) close to the weld. Control (engineering)
  • Weld outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, and keep your head out of the fume plume. Control (engineering)
  • Do a COSHH assessment. HSE expects fume extraction for all indoor welding, including mild steel. Control (procedures)
  • Never weld or cut in a confined space without testing the air and using forced ventilation. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a powered air respirator or fitted respirator when extraction is not enough. 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)
  • Use tool guards and screens to stop flying particles. Control (engineering)
  • Use dust extraction and water to keep dust out of the air. Control (engineering)
  • Keep others out of the area when cutting, grinding or chipping. Control (procedures)
  • Keep an eye wash station or eye wash bottles on site. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses at all times, goggles for dust and chemicals, and a face shield for grinding. PPE
Medium (8)
9Check connections and permanent bracing, then clean up offcuts and bolts
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
  • Falling tools and materials
Workers, Visitors, Public, People belowHigh (12)
  • 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
  • Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (8)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Review the erection sequence and lift plan, and check the crane sits on firm ground
  2. Check for power lines and set the exclusion zone
  3. Check holding down bolts and footings are ready before steel arrives
  4. Sling and lift members with a slinger signaller
  5. Guide members into place with tag lines, never standing under the load, and line up bolt holes with a podger, never fingers
  6. Bolt connections from the MEWP, clipped on
  7. Install temporary bracing or guying to the erection design before releasing the crane from each member, and leave it until the permanent bracing is complete
  8. Plumb the frame, then tension bolts or weld under a hot work permit
  9. Check connections and permanent bracing, then clean up offcuts and bolts

PPE

Safety bootsSafety helmetHi-vis vestFull body harness and lanyardRigger glovesSafety glassesWelding helmetWelding gauntletsHalf-mask respirator (P3 filters)CoverallsFace shieldSafety goggles

Plant and equipment

Mobile crane: CPCS or NPORS crane operator card, plus slinger signaller card; lift plan by an Appointed PersonBoom MEWP: IPAF PAL card (3b)Welding setPower drillHand tools

Permits and plans

Lift plan (LOLER reg 8)Work at height permitHot 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 structural steel erection

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 structural steel erection

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

The safe sequence of work

  1. Review the erection sequence and lift plan, and check the crane sits on firm ground
  2. Check for power lines and set the exclusion zone
  3. Check holding down bolts and footings are ready before steel arrives
  4. Sling and lift members with a slinger signaller
  5. Guide members into place with tag lines, never standing under the load, and line up bolt holes with a podger, never fingers
  6. Bolt connections from the MEWP, clipped on
  7. Install temporary bracing or guying to the erection design before releasing the crane from each member, and leave it until the permanent bracing is complete
  8. Plumb the frame, then tension bolts or weld under a hot work permit
  9. Check connections and permanent bracing, then clean up offcuts and bolts

Hazards to watch on structural steel erection

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

Step 8Welding and cutting fumesWelding, cutting and brazing give off metal fumes and gases that damage the lungs and can cause cancer.
Step 6MEWP tip-over or crushThe platform tips on soft or sloping ground, the worker is crushed against a beam or ceiling, or is thrown out of the basket.
Step 1, 4, 5Crane and lifting failureA load falls or swings, or the crane tips, crushing workers under or near the lift.
Step 2Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, MEWP, crane, tipper or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.
Step 8Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Step 4, 7Strong wind and stormsWind blows sheets, panels and people off roofs and scaffolds, and storms and lightning make work at height and lifting unsafe.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on structural steel erection: 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 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?
  • Was the building built before 2000?

Licences and legal requirements in United Kingdom

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

  • Mobile crane: CPCS or NPORS crane operator card, plus slinger signaller card; lift plan by an Appointed Person
  • Boom MEWP: IPAF PAL card (3b)

Employers must assess the risks of their work and record the significant findings (required where you employ 5 or more people). On CDM projects, contractors give their RAMS to the principal contractor before starting, and brief the workers on it.

Rules that apply: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER); CDM Regulations 2015, regulation 19 (stability of structures); HSE GS6 Avoiding danger from overhead power lines; CDM Regulations 2015; Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 10 (falling objects); Work at Height Regulations 2005 and LOLER 1998; Work at Height Regulations 2005; COSHH Regulations 2002; CDM 2015 regs 29 to 31 (fire on construction sites). Occupied premises: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales), Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010.

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 structural steel erection?

You must assess the risks of structural steel erection 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 structural steel erection?

Usually Safety boots, Safety helmet, Hi-vis vest, Full body harness and lanyard, Rigger gloves, Safety glasses, Welding helmet, Welding gauntlets, Half-mask respirator (P3 filters), Coveralls, Face shield, Safety goggles. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More welding and fabrication RAMS

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Related jobs in other trades

RoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves contact with overhead power linesScaffoldingScaffold ErectionAlso involves contact with overhead power linesBricklayingBrickworkAlso involves falling from heightDemolitionSoft StripAlso involves structural collapse during alterations

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkWorking at HeightToolbox talkOverhead Power LinesToolbox talkExtension Leads and Power ToolsToolbox talkHot Works Safety

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

Sources