When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and drainage teams carrying out drain jetting & cleaning — 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
- ✓ 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
High-pressure drain jetting and cleaning — foul water and high-pressure risk.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Obtain utility drawings, carry out CAT scan, complete COSHH assessment for biological hazards, prepare confined space permit if entry is possible, and brief all operatives on the task RAMS.
- 2Traffic management and exclusion zone: Implement approved traffic management, erect Chapter 8 barriers and signage, and deploy a banksman where pedestrians are affected. Confirm exclusion zone is secure before proceeding.
- 3Equipment inspection: Inspect jetting unit, hose, couplings and nozzle for defects before use. Check dead-man trigger operation. Confirm all PPE is available and serviceable.
- 4Access point opening: Using mechanical lifting aids, carefully open the upstream manhole cover. If there is any risk of confined space entry, test the atmosphere with a multi-gas detector before approaching the open chamber.
- 5Deploy jetting hose: Feed the jetting hose into the drain run from the upstream access point. Ensure hose is not kinked or under stress at the manhole edge. Maintain clear communication between the nozzle operative and pump operator.
- 6Commence jetting: Activate pump at low pressure, confirm hose and couplings are sound, then increase to the required operating pressure. Jet progressively from upstream to downstream. Monitor for surcharge and contain any overflow.
- 7Clearing and inspection: Jet until blockage is cleared or cleaning target is achieved. Use CCTV camera if required to verify condition. Reduce pressure before withdrawing hose.
- 8Waste management: Contain and remove all arisings (silt, debris, effluent) using a vacuum tanker or approved containment. Do not allow foul water to discharge to surface water drainage or the highway. Dispose of waste in accordance with relevant waste carrier documentation.
- 9Reinstatement and close-out: Replace and secure manhole covers using mechanical aids. Remove all hoses, equipment and barriers. Clean down the working area. Decontaminate PPE and equipment before loading to vehicle. Sign off permit-to-work if applicable.
- 10Post-task debrief: Record any near misses, defects or incidents. Update the COSHH assessment and RAMS if conditions differed from those anticipated. Report any service damage or third-party issues immediately.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Foul water contamination
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Carry out a written COSHH assessment prior to work, identifying biological agents present in foul drainage systems and specifying required controls.
- › Use low-angle jetting nozzles and reduce jet pressure where feasible to minimise aerosol production. Keep covers and rodding eyes closed when not actively jetting.
- › Establish a defined exclusion zone around open manholes and rodding eyes to prevent bystanders entering the aerosol zone.
- › Operatives to wear FFP3 half-mask where aerosols are likely, waterproof coveralls, nitrile gloves and face shield to prevent biological contamination.
High-pressure water injection injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect jetting hose, couplings and nozzle before each use for damage, wear or corrosion. Remove defective equipment from service immediately.
- › Ensure jetting unit is fitted with a dead-man handle or remote footswitch so pressure is immediately released when the operator releases the control.
- › Keep non-essential personnel away from the active jetting area. Only the trained operator handles the jetting hose whilst the pump is running.
- › Wear water-jetting gloves, waterproof trousers and boots rated for high-pressure water jetting in accordance with manufacturer guidance.
Slip on contaminated or wet surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use drain plugs and vacuum tanker or appropriate containment to prevent sewage overflowing onto the working surface during jetting.
- › Lay anti-slip matting in the immediate work area where pooling water or silt cannot be avoided.
- › All operatives to wear safety boots with anti-slip SRC-rated soles suitable for wet and contaminated ground conditions.
Public exposure to contamination and high-pressure hazards
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Implement an approved traffic management plan (lane closure, temporary traffic signals or pedestrian diversion) before commencing work on highway or footway.
- › Erect Chapter 8 compliant barriers, cones and signage to create a clear exclusion zone around the working area, preventing inadvertent public access.
- › Designate a trained operative to manage pedestrian flow and communicate with the public when the working area is adjacent to a pedestrian thoroughfare.
Confined space entry
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where possible, carry out all jetting and cleaning from above ground using remote-controlled nozzles, CCTV and jetting hoses, eliminating the need for confined space entry.
- › If entry is unavoidable, a written confined space risk assessment and formal permit-to-work must be completed by a competent person before entry is permitted.
- › Continuously monitor atmosphere for oxygen levels, hydrogen sulphide and flammable gases using a calibrated multi-gas detector before and during any entry.
- › A trained standby operative with emergency rescue equipment (including SCBA and lifting equipment) must be present at the entry point throughout any confined space entry.
Manual handling of heavy equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use suction lifters, manhole cover hooks or key bars to lift heavy manhole covers rather than manual lifting.
- › Assess all manual handling operations before work. For loads exceeding recommended guidelines, use a two-person lift or mechanical aid.
- › Use hose reels and powered drum winders where available to avoid manual coiling and uncoiling of heavy high-pressure hose.
Contact with underground services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain up-to-date utility drawings before work and use a calibrated CAT and Genny to locate buried services in the working area prior to any excavation or high-pressure jetting near service crossings.
- › Reduce jetting pressure to the minimum effective level when working in areas where services are known to cross the drain run.
- › Ensure a competent person reviews the method where the drain route passes close to high-risk utilities (gas or HV electric).
Noise and vibration from jetting unit
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Select the lowest-noise jetting unit suitable for the task, preferring electric or acoustic-enclosure-equipped units over open diesel engines.
- › Site the jetting unit as far from the operative as hose length permits to reduce noise exposure at the point of work.
- › Provide and wear SNR-rated ear defenders or ear plugs where noise levels exceed 80 dB(A) action value.
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
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
Competence
- ✓ Excavation and plant 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
- › 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
Permits & legislation
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.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a drain jetting & cleaning 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 drain jetting & cleaning, 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 drain jetting & cleaning?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, HSE HSG47 — Avoiding danger from underground services, 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 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.