When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and flooring teams carrying out floor screed & dpm — 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
- ✓ 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
Lay floor screed and damp-proof membrane.
Sequence of works
- 1Curing and protection: Apply curing compound or cover with polythene sheeting to prevent rapid drying. Secure covers against wind and restrict access to the fresh slab surface.
- 2Pre-task planning: Review COSHH assessments and SDS for all plaster and render products to be used. Confirm access equipment requirements, identify overhead working areas, and check that adequate ventilation is available.
- 3Area preparation: Clear and inspect the substrate for trip hazards, protruding fixings and debris. Repair significant voids or steps. Set up task lighting to achieve minimum 200 lux across the floor. Erect barriers around the work zone and display signage.
- 4DPM installation: Unroll and position DPM sheet or apply liquid DPM/primer in accordance with the manufacturer's specification. Ensure mechanical ventilation is operating before applying solvent-based products. Use appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, RPE if required). Lap and tape joints per specification. Allow adequate cure time before screed application.
- 5Screed batching and delivery: Connect and pressure-test pump equipment. Where bagged materials are used, apply correct manual handling techniques and use two-person lifts for bags above 20 kg. Mix screed to the specified water:binder ratio. Fit LEV or dust extraction to mixer if dry mixing on site.
- 6Screed laying: Pump or pour screed into bays in planned sequence maintaining safe access routes. Spread and compact screed to specified thickness using gauge pins or rails. Operatives to wear rubber boots, kneepads and chemical-resistant gloves throughout.
- 7Floating and finishing: Float and trowel screed surface to specified finish. Minimise foot traffic across fresh screed. Avoid creating airborne dust during finishing — dampen surface only as specified by the mix design.
- 8Decontamination and housekeeping: Remove cement and adhesive residue from skin using clean water immediately — never use solvent to clean skin. Place contaminated PPE, empty containers and waste materials in designated waste skips. Dispose of solvent-contaminated waste in accordance with hazardous waste regulations.
- 9Post-task inspection: Competent person to inspect screed for compliance with specification (thickness, flatness, surface finish). Check that DPM laps are intact, taped and undamaged. Record completion and hand area back to principal contractor with confirmation of curing period required before next trades.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Cement dermatitis and chemical burns
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use EN 197 compliant low-chromate (VI) cement (<2 ppm) to reduce sensitisation risk.
- › Conduct a written COSHH assessment covering cement, admixtures, DPM adhesives and primers before work commences. Review safety data sheets (SDS) for all products.
- › Workers to apply pre-work barrier cream; wear chemical-resistant nitrile gloves (EN 374), waterproof kneepads and knee-length rubber boots. Wash hands and skin immediately if contaminated.
Inhalation of cement and screed dust
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify factory pre-mixed screed delivered in a liquid or semi-dry state to eliminate on-site dry mixing and associated dust generation.
- › Where dry mixing is unavoidable use a dust-extraction mixer or on-tool LEV (H-class vacuum). Ensure adequate general ventilation in the work area.
- › Where dust cannot be adequately controlled by engineering means, wear a tight-fitting FFP3 disposable respirator (or reusable half-mask with P3 filter). Face-fit test required.
Inhalation of solvent fumes from DPM adhesive and primer
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify water-based or low-VOC DPM adhesives and primers where technically feasible to reduce solvent vapour exposure.
- › Provide forced mechanical ventilation (minimum 5–10 air changes/hour) to dilute solvent vapours below WEL during and after application until cured. Use air movers directed to exhaust externally.
- › Where WEL cannot be confidently achieved, wear a half-mask respirator with combined A1P3 filter cartridge. Competent person to confirm adequacy of ventilation before workers enter.
Manual handling of heavy materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use pump-fed liquid or semi-dry screed delivery to eliminate manual bag handling. Deliver materials close to point of use using pallet trucks or forklifts.
- › Where bagged materials are unavoidable, specify 20 kg or lighter bags. Pre-stage materials on each floor to minimise carrying distances.
- › Complete a manual handling risk assessment. Train operatives in safe lifting techniques. Use two-person lift for bags above 20 kg. Rotate tasks to reduce cumulative exposure.
- › Operatives to wear supportive footwear. Use foam or gel kneepads to reduce contact stress when laying and finishing screed at floor level.
Slips on wet screed and DPM surfaces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Erect physical barriers (Heras fencing or barrier tape with solid boards) around fresh screed areas. Display prominent wet floor signage. Agree exclusion with principal contractor.
- › Plan screed bays in sequence to maintain dry, unobstructed access routes for operatives and emergency egress. Mark access routes clearly.
- › All operatives to wear safety footwear with slip-resistant soles (SRC rated) appropriate for wet cement/adhesive surfaces.
Noise from mixing and pump equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where possible select low-noise-rated mixing and pumping equipment. Site plant outside the building and pipe screed to point of lay to reduce indoor noise levels.
- › Rotate operative duties to limit continuous noise exposure. Designate quiet rest areas away from plant. Restrict plant operation to agreed hours per site noise plan.
- › Provide and enforce use of EN 352 hearing protection (minimum SNR 20 dB ear defenders or plugs) when working in proximity to mixing or pumping plant.
Trips and falls on uneven substrate and trailing hoses
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Clear all debris, protruding fixings and trailing cables from the work area before commencing. Inspect the substrate and mark or repair trip hazards.
- › Route pump hoses and power cables along walls or use cable ramps/covers across walkways. Secure hoses to prevent sudden movement under pressure.
- › Ensure minimum 200 lux at floor level across the work area. Use portable LED work lights where natural light is insufficient.
Fire risk from flammable DPM solvents and adhesives
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify water-based or epoxy DPM systems with flash point above 60°C to eliminate flammable vapour risk.
- › Issue a hot works permit prohibiting grinding, welding or open flames within the work area and adjoining zones during DPM application and for the period specified on the product SDS.
- › Position a CO2 or dry powder extinguisher at the work area entrance. Ensure all operatives know the evacuation route, assembly point and emergency procedures.
Eye injury from cement splash and adhesive spray
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Fit splash guards to mixer and keep pump hose couplings and pressure relief valves maintained to prevent uncontrolled discharge.
- › Wear chemical splash goggles (EN 166) or safety spectacles with side shields during mixing, pouring and DPM adhesive application.
- › Maintain a portable sterile eyewash station within the work area. All operatives must know its location before starting work.
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
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
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 screed & dpm 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 screed & dpm, 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 screed & dpm?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 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.