When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and flooring teams carrying out floor sanding — 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
Sand timber floors — wood dust, noise and electrical risk.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Confirm floor species (note if hardwood — increased carcinogen risk). Review COSHH assessment, noise assessment and manual handling assessment. Confirm PAT-test status of all machines. Obtain principal contractor permit or site induction if required.
- 2Area preparation: Isolate the work zone with dust curtains and seal gaps under doors. Agree exclusion zone with site management. Remove loose items, furniture and trip hazards from the floor area. Check for and remove any protruding nails or fixings that could damage sanding belts or create sparks.
- 3Electrical set-up: Connect machine to a 30 mA RCD-protected supply (110 V CTE preferred). Inspect cable and plug before use. Route cable away from the sanding drum and pedestrian routes.
- 4Fit correct abrasive: Select correct grit sandpaper for the phase of work (coarse to fine progression). Ensure abrasive is correctly fitted and secured to prevent detachment during operation.
- 5Don PPE: Operatives to fit face-fit-tested FFP3 respirator, EN 352-compliant hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear and anti-vibration gloves before starting the machine.
- 6Sanding operation: Keep the machine moving at all times to avoid over-sanding one area. Maintain control of the machine; never leave unattended while running. Empty dust collection bags at intervals not exceeding 30 minutes. Periodically vacuum surrounding surfaces to prevent dust accumulation.
- 7Edge and detail sanding: Use edge sander for perimeter areas. Apply same dust extraction and PPE controls. Kneel on knee pads where required; ensure cables remain managed.
- 8Progressive grit stages: Vacuum the floor thoroughly between each grit change. Inspect floor surface and re-check for protruding fixings. Dispose of used abrasives and dust in sealed fire-rated containers.
- 9Post-sanding clean-down: Vacuum the entire work area including walls, skirtings and surfaces. Remove and seal all dust curtains carefully to avoid secondary release. Remove dust disposal containers to the designated waste point.
- 10Close-out and inspection: Confirm area is safe for handover. Switch off and isolate electrical supply. Report any defects in equipment. Ensure health surveillance records are updated if daily exposure approached or exceeded EAV for vibration or noise.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Wood dust inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use floor sanding machines fitted with integral on-tool dust extraction (H-class vacuum or equivalent) to capture dust at source before it becomes airborne.
- › Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and close doors to prevent dust migration into occupied parts of the building.
- › Wear a minimum FFP3-rated tight-fitting disposable or reusable respirator. RPE must be face-fit tested for the wearer. For hardwood dust, FFP3 is the minimum; consider powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) for prolonged exposure.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Provide minimum SNR 30 dB ear defenders or combined ear defenders/plugs adequate to reduce exposure below 85 dB(A) at the ear.
- › Where practicable, select lower-noise sanding equipment or schedule operations to reduce daily noise exposure duration.
- › Establish a noise exclusion zone around sanding operations. Display noise hazard signage and restrict access to those not directly involved in the task.
Hand-arm vibration
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Implement job rotation and planned rest breaks to keep daily vibration exposure (EAV) below 2.5 m/s² A(8); use a HAV calculator to plan trigger times.
- › Provide anti-vibration gloves where residual risk remains. Enrol regular operators in a HAVS health surveillance programme.
- › Select machines with manufacturer-declared vibration emission values as low as reasonably practicable. Maintain machines in good condition to prevent increased vibration from worn parts.
Electric shock from sanding equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect the machine, power cable and plug before each use for damage, fraying or improper repairs. Remove from service any equipment that fails inspection.
- › Connect all portable electrical equipment to a 30 mA residual current device (RCD) at the supply point. Use a 110 V centre-tapped-to-earth supply wherever available on site.
- › Use only in-date PAT-tested machines. Route cables behind the machine's direction of travel and keep them clear of the sanding drum. Use correctly rated heavy-duty extension leads.
Fire from accumulated wood dust
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Empty dust collection bags and vacuum containers regularly during the task (at least every 30 minutes during heavy sanding). Do not allow bags to overfill. Dispose of dust in sealed metal or fire-rated containers away from ignition sources.
- › Prohibit smoking, naked flames, grinding and hot works in or adjacent to the sanding area during and immediately after operations. Post signage.
- › Position a CO2 or dry-powder extinguisher within the work area. Ensure operatives know its location and how to use it. Confirm fire escape routes are unobstructed.
Slips and trips on sanding residues
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Vacuum or sweep dust residues from surrounding surfaces and walkways regularly. Do not allow debris to accumulate.
- › Route power cables away from pedestrian walkways. Use cable ramps or high-visibility cable covers where cables must cross access routes.
Manual handling of heavy sanding machines
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use sack trucks, stair climbers or lift platforms to move floor sanders between floors and from delivery vehicles where practicable.
- › Carry out a manual handling assessment before lifting. Never lift large floor sanders alone; use a two-person team with agreed lift technique and clear communication.
Dust exposure to building occupants
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Agree and implement an exclusion zone with the principal contractor or client. Use temporary hoarding, dust curtains and seal gaps under doors with draught excluders to contain dust.
- › Where feasible, schedule sanding operations outside normal building occupancy hours to eliminate exposure risk to non-construction personnel.
- › Use a negative pressure unit or air scrubber with HEPA filtration to draw dust-laden air away from occupied areas and exhaust safely to outside.
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 (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
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 floor sanding 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 floor sanding, 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 floor sanding?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are the main ones, alongside Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, 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.