When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and pre-cast concrete teams carrying out block & beam flooring — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised trades & finishing hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Install block-and-beam / hollowcore flooring with lifting and edge risk.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task: Obtain and review the structural engineer's beam layout drawings and temporary loading guidance. Confirm bearing dimensions, beam spacing and propping requirements before any materials are delivered.
- 2Site set-up: Establish crane/telehandler position, confirm ground bearing capacity, erect overhead line goal-posts if required, set up exclusion zones around the lift area and ground-floor exclusion beneath the floor zone.
- 3Edge protection: Install proprietary guardrail (top rail ≥950 mm, mid rail and toe board) to all perimeter walls and open edges at the floor level before operatives begin working at height.
- 4Beam placement: Using the appointed person's lift plan, crane or telehandler lifts beams in certified spreader frames guided by tag lines. Operatives guide from the sides; no operative stands beneath the load. Each beam is landed onto correct bearing lengths on inner leaf blockwork or ring beams as specified.
- 5Beam stabilisation: Immediately place infill blocks both sides of each landed beam to achieve lateral stability before releasing crane hook. Advance edge protection forward as each new row of beams is placed.
- 6Block infill: Work progressively along each bay, placing infill blocks between beams by hand (two-person lift where block > 20 kg). Maintain planked walkways over open beam spaces; do not step between uninfilled beams.
- 7Cutting: Where blocks require trimming, use wet-cutting disc cutter with on-tool extraction, operatives wearing FFP3 RPE and eye protection, in a ventilated area away from other trades.
- 8Grouting: Apply structural grout or topping concrete as specified. Ensure no additional loading is placed on the floor until the engineer's minimum curing period has been reached.
- 9Inspection and sign-off: Supervisor inspects completed floor for full block infill, correct bearing lengths, and no voids before allowing general site access to the floor. Record the inspection and hand over to the next trade.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where collective protection is not feasible (e.g. work in riser shafts), operatives to wear a harness with appropriate anchor point and restraint or fall-arrest lanyard.
- › Establish and maintain a physical exclusion zone directly below overhead working areas to prevent injury to persons below from falling materials or tools.
- › Erect proprietary guardrail systems (top rail, mid rail, toe board) to all open perimeter edges and floor openings before work begins, maintained throughout installation.
- › Install beams and blocks progressively so the unprotected leading edge is kept to a minimum; only the immediately active bay remains unguarded at any time.
Collapse of incomplete floor
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Obtain written guidance from the structural engineer on allowable temporary loads during installation; display loading limits on site.
- › Where specified by the engineer, install temporary props or spreader beams beneath the floor until infill and topping have achieved sufficient strength.
- › Barricade and sign off incompletely installed or ungrouted bays to prevent operative loading until the floor is structurally complete.
Crane / lifting plant struck-by
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › No operative to stand beneath or within the swing radius of a suspended load. Slinger / signaller to control the exclusion zone.
- › All lifts planned and supervised by an appointed person; written lift plan to address beam weight, sling angle, load path and ground conditions before work begins.
- › All slings, shackles and spreader beams to be current LOLER-examined, colour-coded, and rated for the lift. Beams to be lifted in certified purpose-designed spreader frames where practicable.
- › All personnel in the lift zone to wear safety helmet and hi-vis at all times.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Ensure all operatives have received manual handling training covering safe lifting technique, load assessment, and recognition of when mechanical aids must be used.
- › Wear gloves that protect hands from splinters and sharp edges during manual timber handling.
- › Use crane, telehandler or pallet truck to land block packs as close as practicable to the working position to minimise manual carrying distance.
- › Ensure blocks are placed by two operatives where a single block exceeds 20 kg or where the posture is awkward. Rotate operatives between block laying and other tasks to limit cumulative exposure.
Dust inhalation (concrete/silica)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan block and beam layout to minimise cuts; order cut-to-size elements from manufacturer where feasible.
- › Where cutting is unavoidable, use wet-cutting methods or fit disc cutters with an H-class on-tool dust extraction unit to capture dust at source.
- › Operatives cutting concrete must wear a close-fitting FFP3 disposable respirator or half-mask with P3 filter as a last line of defence, in addition to engineering controls.
Slips, trips and falls on working level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Keep the working platform clear of loose materials; offcuts and waste to be removed to designated skip at regular intervals during the shift.
- › Define safe walkways across partially laid floors using marked planking bridging open beam spaces, preventing operatives stepping into voids between beams.
- › All operatives to wear steel-toecap, mid-sole puncture-resistant safety boots with slip-resistant sole.
Noise and vibration — cutting equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Reduce the frequency and duration of cutting by accurate pre-planning of module layout to limit tool use time.
- › Monitor cumulative daily vibration exposure (EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8)) and rotate operatives to keep individual exposure below ELV (5 m/s² A(8)); maintain records.
- › Provide EN352-rated ear defenders or ear plugs where noise exceeds 85 dB(A). Anti-vibration gloves to be used with awareness that they do not substitute for time limits.
Overturning of pre-cast beam during placement
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › As each beam is landed, infill blocks should be placed on both sides immediately to prevent lateral movement, following the manufacturer's installation sequence.
- › Use rope tag lines to guide beams into position rather than operatives using hands directly, keeping bodies clear of the beam line during crane lowering.
- › Supervisor to brief operatives on the specific beam manufacturer's installation sequence and bearing requirements before work starts. Deviations to be approved by the structural engineer.
Underground and overhead services contact
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Obtain drawings and CAT scan results for buried services in the working area. Identify overhead line routes and voltages before setting up plant; agree safe clearance distances with DNO if required.
- › Where overhead lines cannot be diverted, erect proprietary goal-post barriers at the minimum safe approach distance to restrict plant height and travel routes.
- › Appoint a trained banksman to monitor crane/telehandler proximity to overhead lines and buried service locations at all times plant is operating in risk zones.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Hand and power tools appropriate to the trade
- › 110V or battery power supplies
- › Dust extraction for cutting and sanding
- › Mixing equipment with splash protection
- › Access steps or podiums
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Dust controls for cutting and sanding
- ✓ Coordination with other trades in the same area
- ✓ COSHH for adhesives, paints and solvents
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a block & beam flooring RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for block & beam flooring, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to block & beam flooring?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a method statement need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.