When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and electrical teams carrying out cctv / security install — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e 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 CCTV, access control and security systems.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-start: Review site-specific risk assessment and method statement. Confirm asbestos register has been checked for all drill/fixings locations. Obtain relevant permits (hot works, electrical isolation, height work). Brief all operatives on hazards, controls, and emergency procedures.
- 2Survey and mark up: Conduct a detailed survey of all proposed camera, cable route, and equipment locations. Use a CAT scanner to detect and mark concealed services before drilling or cutting. Confirm proposed work at height equipment (MEWP, podium steps, ladder) is appropriate and available.
- 3Establish exclusion zones and barriers: Erect physical barriers and signage around work areas to exclude public and other site workers, particularly below any overhead work and around the electrical distribution board.
- 4Electrical isolation: Identify and isolate all relevant circuits at the distribution board. Apply lock-off with personal padlock. Prove dead using an approved GS38-compliant voltage indicator before any electrical connection is made. Only a competent person is to carry out mains connections.
- 5Cable installation: Install containment (trunking, conduit, cable trays) and run all required cabling using on-tool dust extraction when drilling. Maintain segregation between mains and ELV cables. Secure all cables immediately; do not leave trailing across walkways.
- 6Equipment fixing at height: Set up access equipment (MEWP, podium steps, or secured ladder) in accordance with the hierarchy of controls. Maintain exclusion zone below. Use tool lanyards. Fix camera brackets, access control readers, and ancillary equipment to surfaces confirmed clear of concealed services.
- 7Equipment connection and termination: Connect cameras, door strikes, access control panels, and NVR/DVR equipment following manufacturer instructions. All mains power connections to be made by a competent electrician after confirming isolation. Reconnect power only after all connections are complete, covers are fitted, and all personnel are clear.
- 8Testing and commissioning: Power up the system in a controlled manner. Test all cameras, access control points, and alarm inputs. Confirm image quality, field of view, recording function, and access control operation. Document results.
- 9Housekeeping and site reinstatement: Remove all tools, cable offcuts, and debris. Reinstate any disturbed surfaces. Remove barriers and signage. Hand over system documentation, test certificates, and user guidance to client or principal contractor.
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, Members of the public
- › Redesign installation sequence or use extended fixing tools to reduce the need to work at height where practicable.
- › Prioritise scaffold, podium steps, or MEWP over ladders to provide a stable working platform with edge protection.
- › Where ladders are the only practicable option for short-duration tasks, inspect before use and maintain three points of contact. Ladder must be secured at the top or footed.
- › Wear a full body harness with appropriate lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point when using a MEWP or where there is residual fall risk.
Falling objects
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a demarcated exclusion zone directly below and around the working area using barriers and signage to prevent people from entering the drop zone.
- › Use tool lanyards or tethered bags to secure all tools and equipment when working at height to prevent accidental dropping.
- › All personnel within the vicinity of overhead work must wear a hard hat (EN 397).
Electric shock — live working
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Identify and isolate relevant circuits at the distribution board before commencing any electrical connections. Apply lock-off device and prove dead using an approved voltage indicator before work begins.
- › Electrical connection work to be carried out only by a competent electrician with relevant qualifications (e.g., BS 7671 awareness). Low-voltage system cabling may be completed by a competent security installer.
- › Use fully insulated, GS38-compliant test probes and insulated hand tools rated for the voltages present.
Electric shock — low-voltage signal cabling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Survey and identify existing cable routes before installation. Maintain adequate segregation between mains and ELV/signal cables to prevent induction and accidental contact with live conductors.
- › Review existing electrical drawings and confirm cable identifications before cutting, drilling adjacent to, or connecting to any cable. Do not rely on colour coding alone.
Cable strike — buried or concealed services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a calibrated cable and pipe avoidance tool (CAT and Genny or equivalent) before drilling or cutting into any surface. Cross-reference with building drawings where available.
- › Where possible, use safe zones for drilling (following BSRIA / industry guidance). Set drill depth stops to avoid penetrating deeper than the fixing requires.
- › Wear insulated gloves rated for the voltage risk when drilling in areas where concealed services cannot be fully excluded.
Manual handling — equipment and cable reels
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use sack trucks, cable reel stands, or trolleys to move heavy equipment around site rather than manual carrying.
- › Assess loads before handling. Use two-person lifts for heavy or awkward items. Pre-position equipment to minimise carry distances.
- › Wear safety footwear and work gloves to protect against crush injuries and sharp edges when handling equipment.
Slips, trips, and falls — cable and equipment on floor
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Keep work areas tidy; route and secure cables immediately after laying. Use cable ties and proper containment. Clear tools and debris regularly.
- › Where cables must cross pedestrian routes temporarily, use cable protection ramps and place warning signs to alert other site users.
- › Wear safety boots with anti-slip, oil-resistant soles (S1P or S3 rated) at all times on site.
Dust and fumes — drilling and cutting
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Confirm an up-to-date asbestos register/refurbishment survey has been checked before drilling into any substrate in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. Do not drill until asbestos is excluded or managed.
- › Attach a vacuum dust extraction system (H-class rated for silica) to the drill or SDS machine to capture dust at source.
- › Wear a correctly fitted FFP3 half-mask respirator when dust extraction cannot fully suppress airborne dust.
Public interface — working in occupied premises
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Plan high-risk activities (drilling, work at height) outside of public occupancy hours or in phased sequences that keep the public away from the work area.
- › Erect clearly signed physical barriers (e.g., pedestrian barriers, cones, tape) around all active work zones to prevent public access.
- › Brief building management and relevant occupants before commencing work. Agree an emergency communication method.
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
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
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
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ 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 cctv / security install 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 cctv / security install, 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 cctv / security install?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS 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.