When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and roofing teams carrying out flat roof (single-ply / epdm) — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised work at height 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
Scope of works
Install single-ply / EPDM flat-roof membrane at height (cold-applied, no torch).
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-start planning: Review structural drawings, confirm roof deck load capacity with a competent person, complete COSHH and manual handling assessments, and prepare the site-specific RAMS. Brief all operatives at a toolbox talk covering edge protection, adhesive handling, weather stop criteria, and emergency procedures.
- 2Perimeter and access setup: Erect compliant edge protection (guardrail, mid-rail, toe-board) around all open roof edges before any operative accesses the roof. Establish and sign the ground-level public exclusion zone. Set up a safe, certificated means of access (fixed or tower scaffold stair, or secured ladder for short-duration access).
- 3Fragile area survey and protection: A competent person walks the roof to identify and mark all rooflights, fragile areas, and structural weak points on the site plan. Overboard or guard all rooflights with labelled, secured covers before work commences.
- 4Materials lift to roof level: Use mechanical lifting equipment (crane, hoist, MEWP) to transfer membrane rolls, insulation boards, and adhesive containers to the roof. Distribute loads evenly across the deck within confirmed load limits. Store flammable adhesives in a ventilated flammables cabinet; bring only the daily quantity to the roof.
- 5Deck preparation: Clear and sweep the roof deck; allow any moisture to fully dry. Remove or make good any delaminated substrate, ponding water, or loose material. Where insulation is being laid, fix boards securely before membrane installation begins.
- 6EPDM membrane unrolling and positioning: Unroll the membrane across the prepared deck, allowing it to relax and acclimatise for the manufacturer's recommended period (typically 30 minutes). Cut to required dimensions at roof level; bag and lower all offcuts via the hoist or chute — do not throw down.
- 7Cold-adhesive application: Ensure adequate airflow across the work area. Apply solvent-based or water-based contact adhesive to both the deck and the underside of the membrane using a roller or brush, following the manufacturer's open time. Operative wears RPE (A1 OV cartridge), nitrile gloves, and eye protection. Maintain the ignition-source exclusion zone.
- 8Membrane bonding and seam detailing: Once adhesive has reached the correct tack, fold the membrane back and press firmly into the adhesive, working out air bubbles with a roller. Apply lap seam adhesive or self-adhesive tape at all overlaps to the manufacturer's specification (minimum lap stated on product data sheet). Seal all upstands, penetrations, and flashings.
- 9Inspection and quality check: A competent roofer inspects all seams with a blunt probe tool to confirm full adhesion; re-work any lifting or poorly bonded areas before end of shift. Check that all edge trims and termination bars are fixed per specification.
- 10End-of-shift and handover: Secure any partially unrolled membrane and all loose materials against wind uplift. Remove all adhesive containers from the roof; dispose of solvent waste via an authorised route. Inspect and confirm edge protection remains intact. Complete and sign the daily site record, and report any near-misses or defects to the site supervisor.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from roof edge
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Plan installation sequence so operatives work away from unprotected edges wherever possible; consider whether any task can be completed at ground level before lifting.
- › Erect proprietary guardrail system (min 950 mm high with mid-rail and toe-board) at all open roof edges before operatives access the roof. Collective protection must take priority over personal protection.
- › Where edge protection cannot be installed on a specific elevation, establish a 2-metre exclusion zone marked with barrier tape and signage, enforced by a banksman or supervisor.
- › Where collective protection is not practicable, operatives must wear a full-body harness connected to a tested and certified anchor point; maximum free fall must be calculated to prevent contact with lower levels.
Fall through fragile roof surface or rooflights
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › A competent person must survey the roof deck and mark all fragile rooflights and suspect areas on a site plan before any operative walks the roof.
- › Overboard rooflights with load-rated covers secured against displacement, or fit proprietary rooflight guards rated to BS EN 14122 or equivalent. Covers must be labelled 'Fragile — Do Not Remove'.
- › Where deck integrity is uncertain, use load-spreading boards to distribute weight until the new membrane substrate is confirmed sound.
Falls on the same level — slips and trips
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a dedicated materials lay-down zone away from the active work front; remove offcuts and packaging promptly. Conduct housekeeping checks at each break.
- › Sweep, dry and prepare the deck prior to commencing installation; highlight any standing water, grease or loose insulation boards that create slip risk.
- › Operatives must wear safety boots with slip-resistant soles (SRC rated) appropriate for smooth membrane surfaces.
Manual handling — membrane rolls and adhesive containers
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a crane, MEWP, or material hoist to lift membrane rolls and adhesive containers to roof level. Eliminate manual carrying up ladders.
- › Where mechanical handling is not practicable, a written manual handling risk assessment must be completed; use two-person lifts and handling aids (e.g., trolleys, roll carriers) for residual tasks.
- › Ensure all operatives have received manual handling training relevant to roofing tasks; refresh as required.
Solvent exposure — cold-applied adhesive (COSHH)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where technically suitable, substitute conventional solvent-based adhesive with a water-based or low-VOC alternative to reduce inhalation and fire risk.
- › Complete a COSHH assessment for each adhesive product using the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet before use; communicate findings at toolbox talk.
- › Maximise airflow across the roof during adhesive application; avoid working in enclosed upstands or pit areas where solvent vapour can accumulate. Never apply in still, hot conditions without assessing vapour build-up.
- › Wear a half-face respirator with organic vapour (A1) filter cartridges, nitrile chemical-resistant gloves, and safety glasses or goggles when applying or handling solvent-based adhesive.
Fire — flammable adhesive storage and use
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a no-smoking / no-ignition-source exclusion zone of at least 6 metres around adhesive application and storage areas; communicate via signage and toolbox talk.
- › Keep only the daily quantity of adhesive on the roof; store remainder in a compliant flammable liquids cabinet at ground level away from site access routes and public areas.
- › Keep a CO2 or dry-powder extinguisher (minimum 2 kg) on the roof within 10 metres of the work front at all times.
Public struck by falling materials or tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect Heras fencing or barrier tape below all working elevations extending a minimum of 1 m for every 1 m of roof height (or as calculated); appoint a banksman if the area cannot be reliably excluded.
- › Fix proprietary debris netting or toe-boards to edge protection to prevent small items rolling or being blown off the roof edge.
- › Tether hand tools where practicable; do not leave loose items near the roof edge; bag and lower waste via a rubbish chute or hoisted skip rather than throwing down.
Overloading of roof structure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain written confirmation from a structural engineer or the building owner/designer that the roof can accept the proposed temporary loads before lifting materials up.
- › Spread membrane rolls and adhesive containers across the roof rather than stacking in one location; do not exceed confirmed distributed load limits.
Adverse weather — wind and wet surfaces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Set explicit wind-speed and precipitation thresholds (e.g., stop work above Beaufort Force 5 at roof level, or per edge-protection manufacturer limit) above which roof work ceases. Communicate at pre-start.
- › Weight or strap all unrolled membrane and insulation boards immediately; never leave materials unsecured overnight or during breaks in adverse conditions.
- › Inspect and dry (or allow to dry) the deck surface before operatives resume work; do not commence membrane unrolling on a wet deck.
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 per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
Competence
- ✓ Roof-work competence and work-at-height training
- ✓ 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
- › Scaffold / mobile tower / MEWP as selected
- › Podium steps or ladders for short-duration tasks
- › Tool lanyards and tethers
- › Edge protection components
- › Inspection tags
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ A named access method (scaffold / tower / MEWP) with inspection regime
- ✓ A rescue plan that doesn't rely on calling 999
- ✓ Collective protection considered before harnesses
- ✓ 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 flat roof (single-ply / epdm) 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 flat roof (single-ply / epdm), 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 flat roof (single-ply / epdm)?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, 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 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.