When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and flooring teams carrying out carpet & carpet tile — 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
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Lay carpet and carpet tiles including adhesives and trims.
Sequence of works
- 11. Pre-start: Complete COSHH and manual-handling risk assessments; obtain Safety Data Sheets for all adhesive products; confirm ventilation arrangements and check fire precautions are in place before materials are brought to the floor.
- 22. Site preparation: Clear and clean the substrate; inspect for hazardous residues (old adhesive, levelling compound). Use vacuum-shrouded grinders or damp methods to remove material; wear appropriate RPE. Confirm substrate is dry, firm and suitable for laying.
- 33. Material delivery and positioning: Use trolleys, roll bars or pallet trucks to move carpet rolls and tile boxes to the work area. Use two-person lifts for rolls over 25 kg. Position materials close to point of use to minimise carrying.
- 44. Set out and cut: Mark reference lines and set out tile grid or carpet drop pattern. Cut carpet and tiles using retractable-blade knives against a straight edge, always cutting away from the body. Wear cut-resistant gloves. Store off-cuts immediately in a waste area.
- 55. Gripper rod and underlay installation: Fix gripper rods around perimeter using appropriate fixings; handle rods with cut-resistant gloves. Lay and tape underlay, trimming neatly at gripper boundary.
- 66. Adhesive application (where required): Verify ventilation is adequate before opening adhesives. Apply adhesive with notched spreader per manufacturer instructions; barrier and sign wet adhesive areas. Remove all ignition sources if using solvent-based adhesive. Wear nitrile gloves and RPE.
- 77. Carpet or tile laying: Lay carpet or tiles into adhesive (or dry-lay as appropriate) following the set-out pattern. Use knee kicker and power stretcher to tension carpet; avoid over-stretching. Work progressively to avoid tripping on unsecured edges.
- 88. Trimming and finishing: Trim edges neatly using a wall trimmer or bolster; fit door bars and threshold trims securely. Check all edges are bedded and no curl or trip hazard remains.
- 99. Inspection and clean-up: Inspect finished area for loose edges, protruding staples or trim fixings. Remove all off-cuts, packaging, adhesive containers and tools. Dispose of solvent-contaminated rags and waste in sealed, labelled containers per site waste management plan.
- 1010. Hand-over: Remove barriers from completed areas; notify site manager; confirm area is safe for other trades and building users. Record any residual hazards or outstanding work.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Harmful vapours from adhesive
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify and use low-solvent or water-based carpet adhesive as a substitute for solvent-based products where performance requirements allow.
- › Open windows, doors and use mechanical ventilation or forced-air fans to maintain fresh air flow across the work area. Monitor air quality where significant quantities are used.
- › Obtain Safety Data Sheets for all adhesives; complete a COSHH assessment before work begins; brief all operatives on hazards and controls.
- › Wear FFP2/FFP3 half-mask respirator or supplied-air RPE appropriate to the specific adhesive, where ventilation cannot reduce exposure below the WEL.
Skin contact with adhesive
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select adhesives free from sensitising agents (e.g. isocyanates, epoxy) where technically feasible.
- › Identify skin hazard from SDS; implement no-touch application tools (notched spreaders, rollers) to minimise direct contact.
- › Wear nitrile or neoprene gloves appropriate to the adhesive type. Apply pre-work barrier cream to exposed skin. Provide washing facilities on site.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan deliveries so carpet rolls and tiles are brought directly to the floor being fitted, minimising carrying distances and stair work.
- › Use carpet roll trolleys, sack trucks, pallet trucks or carpet knee kickers to move and position heavy materials. Use roll bars for carpet rolls.
- › Assess load weight before lifting; use two or more operatives for rolls over 25 kg; brief team on correct posture, grip and co-ordination before lift.
- › Wear cushioned knee pads to protect knees during prolonged kneeling when fitting, stretching and trimming carpet.
Cuts from trimming tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify tools with auto-retracting blades or fixed-depth guards to limit blade exposure to the minimum needed for the cut.
- › Train operatives to always cut away from the body; use a straight edge or guide; never leave exposed blades unattended. Dispose of used blades in a sharps container.
- › Wear level C or higher cut-resistant gloves (EN ISO 13997) when handling carpet blades, gripper rods and metal trims.
Trips and falls on loose material
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Designate a clear walkway through the work area; remove off-cuts and packaging to a waste point regularly; do not leave carpet roll cores or boxes in walkways.
- › Erect physical barriers or hazard tape around areas where adhesive has been applied and is still wet; display wet-floor warning signs visible to other trades.
- › Wear safety footwear with slip-resistant soles (SRC rated) appropriate to the floor surface.
Fire risk from flammable adhesive
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Eliminate the fire risk at source by substituting solvent-based adhesive with a water-based product where performance allows.
- › Issue a hot-works prohibition notice for the affected area; switch off non-intrinsically-safe electrical tools; prohibit smoking; isolate power sources where possible until adhesive has fully cured.
- › Keep only the quantity needed for the current shift in the work area. Store bulk stock in a ventilated, fire-rated store away from the work zone.
- › Ensure a CO2 or dry-powder extinguisher is available in the work area when using flammable adhesives; check access to emergency exits is unobstructed.
Dust inhalation from substrate preparation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where substrate condition allows, dampen the surface before manual removal of old adhesive or levelling compound to suppress airborne dust.
- › Attach H-class vacuum extraction to all grinding and sanding machines used on levelling compound or old adhesive; do not use dry sweep.
- › Wear a minimum FFP2 disposable dust mask (FFP3 where silica-containing substrates are being worked) during and after substrate preparation until dust has settled.
Noise from power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where possible, choose battery-powered or low-noise rated equipment in preference to petrol or louder electric equivalents.
- › Rotate operatives on noisy tasks to limit individual daily noise dose; schedule noisy substrate preparation away from other operatives where feasible.
- › Provide and wear ear defenders or plugs (SNR suitable for the noise level) when using floor grinders or powered stretchers for extended periods.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
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 carpet & carpet tile 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 carpet & carpet tile, 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 carpet & carpet tile?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. 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.