Build your RAMS — it updates as you type
Pick the job, add your site details, answer the risk questions and download the draft PDF.
Add the facts a reviewer needs to see. The document updates as you type.
Advanced — optional site details (0/11 filled)
Only appear in the document once filled in.
Your answers set the hazard scope, permits and job-specific notes in the document.
Is gas work involved?
Is hot work involved (soldering, brazing or cutting)?
Is the property occupied during the work?
Is the building pre-2000, or is asbestos information unavailable?
Is work at height required (flue, loft or roof access)?
Will you use flux, sealants, jointing compounds or system chemicals?
Advanced — adjust hazards in scope (9/9)
Pre-set by your answers above. Switch off only what genuinely doesn’t apply to this job.
- Site address missing - reviewers need to know which workface this RAMS applies to.
- Principal contractor / client completed
- Your company (contractor) completed
- Work location on site completed
- Start date missing - add the planned work date so the RAMS is a controlled, current document.
- First aider (name) completed
- Emergency assembly point completed
- Permit details (issuer / reference / expiry) completed
- Prepared-by field missing - identify who drafted or owns the RAMS.
- Supervisor / competent person missing - reviewers expect a named point of control.
- Review date missing - add when this RAMS must be checked or revised.
- Job questions incomplete - answer the site and risk-trigger questions so the controls match the job.
- At least one hazard in scope
- No high residual risks in scope
Confirm before submission
Brand this document (optional)
Add your logo and colour — they appear on the preview and the PDF.
This document will remain a watermarked draft — not for submission — until the following are complete:
- Site address missing - reviewers need to know which workface this RAMS applies to.
- Principal contractor / client completed
- Your company (contractor) completed
- Work location on site completed
- Start date missing - add the planned work date so the RAMS is a controlled, current document.
- First aider (name) completed
- Emergency assembly point completed
- Permit details (issuer / reference / expiry) completed
- Prepared-by field missing - identify who drafted or owns the RAMS.
- Supervisor / competent person missing - reviewers expect a named point of control.
- Review date missing - add when this RAMS must be checked or revised.
- Job questions incomplete - answer the site and risk-trigger questions so the controls match the job.
- Site rules / CPP not confirmed - check the principal contractor's requirements before submission.
- Briefing not confirmed - operatives must be briefed and sign before work starts.
- Competence records not confirmed - make sure training, cards and appointments can be evidenced.
Free during early access — no card required. You review and approve as the competent person.
Review like a PC would
Free, ~1 minute. Your document gets read the way a principal contractor's document controller reads it — scored on eight checks, with the gaps that trigger a bounce.
Click almost any text in the document — the title, scope, controls, method steps, PPE, substances, competence or emergency arrangements — to edit it for your job. Delete the text to remove an item. Changes flow into the PDF.
Boiler installation — Method Statement & Risk Assessment
Plumbing & Heating · Boiler installation · Document ref RAMS-PH-BOILER-INSTALL-V1 · Rev A · Library reviewed 4 Jun 2026
Project control details
Site address *
To be completed
Principal contractor / client *
To be completed
Your company (contractor) *
To be completed
Work location on site *
To be completed
Start date *
To be completed
First aider (name) *
To be completed
Emergency assembly point *
To be completed
Prepared by *
To be completed
Site supervisor / competent person *
To be completed
Review date *
To be completed
Scope of works
Install/replace domestic or commercial boilers. Gas work is Gas Safe registered — separate competence, not covered by RAMS alone.
Risk rating matrix & tolerability
| Likelihood ↓ · Severity → | Negligible | Minor | Moderate | Major | Catastrophic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost certain | Medium | High | High | Very high | Very high |
| Likely | Low | Medium | High | Very high | Very high |
| Possible | Low | Medium | Medium | High | High |
| Unlikely | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Rare | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
1–4 Low
Proceed where the stated controls are implemented and briefed.
5–9 Medium
Proceed after supervisor verification of the controls.
10–15 High
Hold work until additional controls are agreed and verified by the competent person.
16–25 Very high
Do not start. Re-plan the task to eliminate or substitute the hazard.
Risk assessment
Risk score = likelihood (1–5) × severity (1–5). Bands: 1–4 low · 5–9 medium · 10–15 high · 16–25 very high. Residual assumes the stated controls are in place.
ALARP justification: Controls follow the hierarchy of control (eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, safe systems of work, then PPE). For Manual handling — heavy or bulky items; Electric shock from live conductors or isolation failure; Burns from hot pipework, surfaces and flue components; Gas escape — uncontrolled release; Slips, trips and falls at same level; Fall from height during installation or work at height; Asbestos disturbance or contact; Public interface — occupied premises and occupant disruption — the severity of the worst credible outcome cannot be reduced by on-site controls, so the stated controls reduce the likelihood of that outcome instead; residual risk is as low as is reasonably practicable (ALARP). Per the tolerability table, work on any hazard whose residual risk remains High or Very high must not start until additional controls are agreed and verified by the competent person.
Hazards & control measures
Manual handling — heavy or bulky items
12 High4 LowWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Use a sack truck, boiler lift trolley, or mechanical hoist to move the unit from delivery point to installation position. Avoid manual lifting of units above 25 kg where practicable.
- Where mechanical aids cannot be used, a minimum two-person team lift is required. Conduct a brief prior to lift covering route, hand positions and communication signals.
- Complete a site-specific manual handling risk assessment before work begins, considering weight, posture, environment and individual capability.
- Steel-toecap boots to protect against dropped units; cut-resistant gloves when handling sheet metal panels or sharp boiler casings.
Basis: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Electric shock from live conductors or isolation failure
20 Very high5 MediumWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Isolate the boiler supply circuit at the consumer unit before any electrical work. Apply a lockout device and personal danger tag. Verify dead using an approved voltage indicator (GS38-compliant) before touching terminals.
- On commercial sites or where multiple trades share the distribution board, use a formal permit-to-work system to control isolation and prevent inadvertent re-energisation.
- All final electrical connections and verification of correct earthing and polarity must be carried out by a competent person. Confirm circuit is tested and signed off before commissioning.
- Use fully insulated screwdrivers and test equipment rated for the supply voltage. Insulated gloves where residual risk of contact remains.
Basis: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Burns from hot pipework, surfaces and flue components
12 High4 LowWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Fully drain and flush the heating circuit before cutting or connecting pipework. Confirm all sections are cool to the touch before handling.
- Where drain-down is impractical, use a pipe-freezing kit or cold-press/push-fit fittings to eliminate or reduce the need for naked flame soldering.
- Place a non-combustible heat shield behind pipework when using a blow torch. Inspect the work area for smouldering materials at least 30 minutes after soldering operations cease.
- Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses during soldering. Use thermal gloves when handling flue components that may retain heat.
Basis: DSEAR 2002 — Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Gas escape — uncontrolled release
20 Very high5 MediumWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- All work on gas supply pipework, connections to the boiler and commissioning must be performed exclusively by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Verify registration card before work begins.
- Isolate the gas supply at the emergency control valve before any pipework modification. Display a clear 'Do not operate' notice at the meter.
- Use a calibrated combustible gas detector to check for leaks before and after connection. Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area during all gas work and while pressure testing.
- Prohibit all naked flames, power tools and mobile phones within the work area when gas lines are open or being pressure tested.
Basis: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
COSHH — flux, sealants, jointing compounds and plumbing chemicals
6 Medium3 LowWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Review safety data sheets for all substances used. Substitute to lower-hazard alternatives (e.g. no-flux solders, water-based jointing compounds) where technically viable.
- Ensure natural or mechanical ventilation is established in the work area before using flux, solvents or inhibitors. Open windows and doors in occupied premises; use LEV or forced ventilation in plant rooms.
- Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses when handling flux, inhibitors or jointing compounds. Replace gloves if torn or contaminated.
Basis: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Slips, trips and falls at same level
12 High4 LowWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Keep the work area tidy throughout the task. Route drain hoses directly to a suitable drain or bucket; secure cables and hoses against the wall or floor using clips or tape.
- Place drip trays beneath drain connections and use absorbent mats on floors to contain water spillage and prevent wet surfaces.
- Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles rated for wet surfaces.
Basis: Work at Height Regulations 2005
Fall from height during installation or work at height
20 Very high5 MediumWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Pre-assemble as much of the boiler frame and pipe connections as possible at floor level before raising and fixing the unit.
- Use a platform step ladder or low-level staging for work above 600 mm. Inspect access equipment before use; do not use chairs, boxes or makeshift platforms.
- Maintain three points of contact on ladders at all times. Secure hand tools with lanyards when working above ground to prevent dropped-object risk to occupants.
Basis: Work at Height Regulations 2005
Asbestos disturbance or contact
20 Very high5 MediumWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Obtain and review the building's asbestos register or management survey before work begins. If no survey exists on a pre-2000 building, request one or treat suspect materials as ACM.
- If any material suspected of containing asbestos is disturbed or encountered, stop work immediately, vacate the area and notify the principal contractor or client. Do not resume until a licensed assessment is completed.
- Where there is residual risk of asbestos fibre release and work must continue under supervision (non-licensable low-sporadic work only), wear a tight-fitting FFP3 respirator.
Basis: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Public interface — occupied premises and occupant disruption
12 High4 LowWho is at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- Inform occupants of the scope and duration of work before starting. Establish a clear exclusion zone around the work area using physical barriers or closed doors, particularly if children or vulnerable adults are present.
- Plan work to minimise loss-of-service periods. Where overnight loss is unavoidable in cold weather, arrange temporary heating provision for vulnerable occupants.
- Keep all tools, LPG cylinders, chemicals and sharp waste in a lockable tool bag or restricted zone inaccessible to occupants at all times.
Method statement — sequence of works
- !Hold point — before any permit-controlled operation starts: obtain the required permit(s) (Hot work permit) from the issuer named in this document, display the live permit at the workface and brief its conditions to the operatives. Work covered by a permit does not begin or resume without a live permit.
- 1Pre-task planning: Review building asbestos register (pre-2000 properties), obtain COSHH assessments for all substances, confirm Gas Safe registration of the gas engineer, conduct manual handling assessment, and brief all operatives including occupant exclusion arrangements.
- 2Site preparation: Establish exclusion zone in work area, protect floors and surfaces, position drip trays, and ensure adequate ventilation. Confirm gas supply is isolated at the emergency control valve and clearly tagged.
- 3Electrical isolation: Identify and isolate the boiler supply circuit at the consumer unit using lockout/tagout. Verify dead with a GS38-compliant voltage indicator before any electrical work proceeds.
- 4System drain-down: Drain the existing heating circuit using appropriate drain hoses directed to a suitable drain. Confirm all pipework sections are cool before cutting or disconnecting. Capture and dispose of system water/inhibitor in accordance with COSHH requirements.
- 5Remove existing boiler: Disconnect pipework connections and electrical tails. Use a two-person team lift or mechanical aid to safely lower and remove the old unit. Inspect the flue route and terminate point for condition and compliance before installing the new unit. External or above-ground flue terminal work uses the access equipment stated for this site (podium steps or alloy tower for first-floor terminals — never ladders for drilling); the work-at-height controls in this document apply.
- 6Install new boiler: Fix the boiler mounting bracket securely to the wall using the correct fixings for the substrate. Raise and position the boiler using mechanical handling aids where possible. Make all pipework connections, applying COSHH-compliant flux and jointing compounds with adequate ventilation.
- 7Flue installation: Install or connect the flue system in accordance with manufacturer instructions and current Building Regulations. Use suitable access equipment for any work above floor level. Ensure flue terminal clearances comply with statutory requirements.
- 8Gas connection: The Gas Safe registered engineer connects the gas supply, pressure tests all gas pipework to the required standard and checks for leaks using a calibrated gas detector. No ignition sources permitted during this phase.
- 9Electrical connection and commissioning: Reinstate and verify electrical connections, confirming correct polarity, earthing and circuit protection. Commission the boiler per manufacturer instructions. Test all controls, safety devices and thermostats.
- 10Post-installation checks and handover: Inspect the work area for slip hazards, hot surfaces, and debris. Remove all tools, waste and packaging safely. Brief the occupant on safe operation and emergency procedures. Complete all certification (Gas Safe, Building Regulations notification) and leave copies with the client.
Personal protective equipment
- Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- Hi-vis clothing
- Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- Eye/face protection
- Flame-resistant gloves
- RPE per the COSHH assessment
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
Permits, substances & competence
Permits required: Hot work permit
Substances: Soldering flux and solder fume — irritant; HSE enforcement position requires control of rosin-based solder fume: lead-free, rosin-free flux/solder selected; where any rosin solder is used, on-tool fume extraction (portable LEV) at the joint, not general ventilation alone; gloves when applying flux; wash hands before breaks. See flux SDS.; Jointing compounds, sealants and inhibitor chemicals — skin/eye irritants per SDS: nitrile gloves, eye protection when dosing inhibitor, ventilate.; Dust from drilling flue and pipe penetrations (silica in masonry) — on-tool extraction or dust bowl, FFP3 for repeated drilling; sheet and clean the work area in occupied properties.
Safety data sheets for the named products are held with this RAMS in the site file and were used to set the controls above; product names and SDS dates are recorded in the briefing record.
- Gas Safe registration for any gas work (separate statutory competence — not covered by this RAMS)
- Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Emergency & rescue arrangements
Emergency services
999 — Fire / Police / Ambulance
Address to give 999
To be completed
First aider
To be completed
Assembly point
To be completed
Gas leak suspected: Immediately stop all work and extinguish all naked flames. Do not operate any electrical switches. Evacuate all persons from the building. Turn off the gas supply at the emergency control valve if safe to do so without re-entering the risk area. Call the National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999) from outside the building. Do not re-enter until declared safe.
Electric shock: Do not touch the casualty if they may still be in contact with a live supply. Isolate the power at the consumer unit or pull the plug. Call 999. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR if trained. Await emergency services.
Fire from hot-works: Raise the alarm. Use the correct extinguisher for the fire type (CO2 for electrical, dry powder or water mist for soldering-related combustibles) only if trained and the fire is small and contained. Evacuate all occupants immediately if fire spreads. Call 999.
Serious manual handling injury (crush or dropped boiler): Call 999 for medical assistance. Do not attempt to move a person with suspected spinal injury unless in immediate danger. Preserve the scene for RIDDOR investigation if the injury is reportable. Complete an accident report.
Asbestos disturbance: Stop all work immediately. Vacate and seal the affected area. Prevent others from entering. Notify the principal contractor and client. Arrange for a licensed asbestos contractor to assess and carry out any necessary remediation before work resumes.
Chemical exposure (flux, inhibitor or sealant): For eye contact, irrigate immediately with clean water for at least 10–15 minutes. For skin contact, wash with soap and water. Refer to the product safety data sheet. Seek medical advice if irritation persists or if ingestion or inhalation has occurred.
Rescue plan: rescue from work at height does not rely on the emergency services as the primary method. A pre-rigged rescue/descent kit is kept at the access point and the supervisor named in this document is trained in its use and present whenever harness or leading-edge work is underway.
Method: raise the alarm, the trained rescuer attaches the rescue device to the casualty's harness from a safe position and lowers them to a safe level; first aid immediately on recovery (target under 10 minutes to limit suspension intolerance). After any fall arrest the harness, lanyard and anchor are quarantined until inspected by a competent person.
Legislation & guidance
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- DSEAR 2002 — Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Briefing & sign-off
Prepared by
To be completed
Signature: ______________________
Site supervisor / competent person
To be completed
Signature: ______________________
Review date
To be completed
Signature: ______________________
All operatives must be briefed on this RAMS before work starts and sign below to confirm they understand it. Anyone joining the task later is briefed and signs before starting work; the supervisor re-briefs the team if the method, conditions or this document change.
RamsDocs helps draft structured RAMS from your job details. It does not replace competent-person review, site-specific judgement or your legal duties.
Draft here, then review as the competent person
The builder assembles a site-specific RAMS draft with method steps, hazards, controls, evidence prompts and review checks. It is a drafting workflow, not a compliance shortcut — a competent person still reviews, revises and approves before use.
Site-specific
Actual site, work area, access, interfaces, site rules, public or occupants and emergency arrangements.
Evidence-ready
Permits, COSHH/SDS, competence, inspections, isolation records, briefings, sign-off and revision control.
Usable on site
A numbered method, risk ratings and controls a supervisor can brief before work starts.
Competent review
RamsDocs drafts the document; the competent person checks, revises and approves it before use.
Built around CDM 2015, HSE construction guidance and RamsDocs reviewed task knowledge. No guarantee of acceptance: each RAMS still needs competent review against the live site.