When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and rescue plans teams carrying out confined space rescue plan — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised groundworks & excavation 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 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
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Scope of works
Plan and resource the rescue of a casualty from a confined space — not relying on the emergency services.
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Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING: Before any operative enters the confined space, prepare and brief all personnel on the written confined space rescue plan. Confirm the rescue team is on-site, trained, medically fit and understands their individual roles (entry rescuer, standby attendant, equipment operator, first aider).
- 2EQUIPMENT CHECK: Inspect, test and stage all rescue equipment at the confined space entry point — including tripod/davit arm, man-riding winch, retrieval lines, SCBA sets (check cylinder pressures), gas detector (bump test), rescue harness, stretcher, first aid kit and communication devices. Do not allow entry until all equipment is confirmed serviceable.
- 3ATMOSPHERIC TESTING: Using a calibrated multi-gas detector, test the atmosphere at the confined space for oxygen level, flammable gas concentration and toxic gas concentration (as appropriate to the space). Record results. Do not allow entry if atmosphere is outside safe parameters and forced ventilation cannot achieve safe levels.
- 4NON-ENTRY RESCUE ASSESSMENT: Assess whether the casualty can be recovered without entry — using retrieval lines, poles or mechanical aids. Use non-entry rescue if at all practicable. Only progress to entry rescue when non-entry is confirmed impracticable.
- 5CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND VENTILATION: Ensure continuous atmospheric monitoring and forced mechanical ventilation are in operation before and throughout any rescue entry. Confirm communication system is functional between entry rescuer and standby attendant.
- 6CONTROLLED ENTRY: The entry rescuer(s), wearing full PPE including SCBA and full-body rescue harness connected to the retrieval system, enter the confined space in a controlled and deliberate manner. The standby attendant manages the retrieval line and maintains continuous communication. Adhere to pre-agreed withdrawal triggers.
- 7CASUALTY ASSESSMENT AND PACKAGING: The entry rescuer assesses the casualty's condition, provides immediate first aid as practicable within the space, and packages the casualty in a rescue harness or stretcher suitable for vertical or horizontal extraction.
- 8EXTRACTION: Extract the casualty using the mechanical retrieval system (winch) as the primary method, with manual assistance only where necessary. The standby attendant and surface team manage the lift. Maintain communication throughout.
- 9POST-EXTRACTION CARE: Once the casualty is at surface, the designated first aider takes charge of casualty care. Ensure emergency services (ambulance) have been called. Do not allow any rescuer to re-enter the space until conditions are re-assessed and confirmed safe.
- 10DEBRIEF AND REVIEW: After the rescue, conduct a debrief with all team members. Record the incident, review the rescue plan for lessons learned, and report as required under RIDDOR if applicable. Review confined space permit and safe system of work before any further entries.
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Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Test the atmosphere in the confined space for oxygen levels, flammable gases and toxic substances using a calibrated multi-gas detector before any rescuer enters. Results must be recorded.
- › Where possible, attempt rescue without entry — using lines, harnesses and mechanical retrieval systems attached to the casualty prior to their entry. Entry is only considered when non-entry rescue is not practicable.
- › Mechanical ventilation must be provided and maintained to purge or dilute atmospheric hazards. Do not use oxygen enrichment to improve atmosphere.
- › Rescuers entering a space with confirmed or suspected oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere must wear SCBA — not airline breathing apparatus unless the system is verified safe for rescue conditions.
Engulfment or entrapment of rescuer
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Isolate all sources of ingress (liquids, gases, free-flowing solids) using physical isolation (blanking, valves, lock-off) before any rescuer enters the space.
- › All rescuers entering a confined space must wear a full-body harness connected to a retrieval line managed by a standby person outside the space to enable non-entry withdrawal if conditions deteriorate.
- › A dedicated, trained standby person must remain outside the confined space at all times during rescue operations to monitor conditions and manage retrieval lines. The standby person must not enter the space.
Rescuer incapacitation in confined space
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Only personnel who are trained, competent and medically fit for confined space rescue should be deployed. Training must cover rescue techniques, use of breathing apparatus and emergency procedures.
- › Where more than one rescuer enters, a buddy system is used so each rescuer monitors the other. Minimum two rescuers enter together where conditions allow.
- › Establish maximum entry durations based on SCBA cylinder duration and physical limits. Pre-agree alarm signals and conditions (gas alarm, loss of communication, retrieval line tension) that trigger immediate withdrawal.
Fall from height during rescue
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Install temporary edge protection or barriers around the confined space opening to prevent rescuers and bystanders from falling in, particularly when operating lifting equipment.
- › Use a rated man-riding tripod/davit arm and mechanical winch system to raise the casualty and to provide a secured anchorage for rescuers. Equipment must be rated for rescue loads and inspected before use.
- › Where rescuers work at or near the open access point above ground level, fall arrest lanyards or restraint systems must be used, anchored to a suitable rated point.
Inadequate rescue plan or resources
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A written rescue plan must be prepared before confined space work begins. It must detail: rescue team roles, equipment available, communication method, nearest hospital, assembly point and how emergency services will be supplemented — not replaced.
- › All rescue equipment (tripod, winch, SCBA sets, first aid kit, stretcher) must be on-site and immediately accessible at the confined space entry point before any operative enters. Equipment must be inspected and serviceable.
- › The rescue team must conduct a practice drill at or near the confined space before operations begin to confirm team competence, equipment function and communication procedures.
Communication failure
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide intrinsically safe two-way communication (e.g. voice line, radio rated for hazardous areas) between the rescuer in the space and the standby attendant. Standard mobile phones must not be used in flammable atmospheres.
- › Establish and brief a set of physical retrieval line signals (tugs) as a backup to electronic communication so withdrawal can be commanded if electronic comms fail.
Manual handling during casualty extraction
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use a mechanical winch and man-riding system as the primary extraction method to minimise manual handling of the casualty during vertical extraction. Design the plan to minimise manual handling at all stages.
- › Package the casualty in a rescue stretcher or purpose-made confined space rescue harness before extraction to distribute load, protect the casualty and provide secure attachment to the retrieval system.
- › Where manual handling is unavoidable, brief all rescuers on coordinated lift technique. Nominate one person to direct the lift. Rotate team members to reduce fatigue during prolonged rescue.
Fire or explosion in confined space
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Test and continuously monitor for flammable gas concentrations using a calibrated detector before and during rescue. Do not enter or operate non-intrinsically-safe equipment if readings are above 10% LEL.
- › All electrical equipment used in or adjacent to a potentially flammable confined space (torches, radios, gas detectors, winch controls) must be intrinsically safe rated (ATEX/UKEX compliant) for the hazard zone classification.
- › Remove all ignition sources from the exclusion zone around the confined space. Hot works in the vicinity must cease and be locked off before rescue operations commence.
Slips, trips and falls at ground level
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › All operatives to wear safety boots with slip-resistant soles (EN ISO 20345 SRC rated) appropriate for wet, muddy and uneven ground conditions.
- › Establish a clear exclusion zone around the confined space entry point. Keep the working area clear of trip hazards and ensure adequate task lighting is available, including during night or low-light operations.
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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
5
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.
6
Plant & equipment
- › Excavator and dumper as specified
- › Trench support system (boxes, sheets, props)
- › CAT and Genny (service avoidance)
- › Ladder access for excavations
- › Gas detector for confined areas
7
Permits & legislation
Confined space entry permit
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997Work at Height Regulations 2005Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment
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What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Service avoidance: drawings reviewed, CAT/Genny sweep, permit to dig
- ✓ Excavation support method and inspection regime
- ✓ Plant/pedestrian segregation around the dig
- ✓ 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Who should write a confined space rescue plan 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 confined space rescue plan, 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 confined space rescue plan?
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment. 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.
This is a draft, not a finished RAMS. The content above is a starting point generated from recognised hazards and controls for this task. A competent person must review it and confirm it is suitable and sufficient for the specific site before use. It is not legal advice or a guarantee of acceptance.