When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and cleaning teams carrying out high-level 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 site & general 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
1
Scope of works
High-level cleaning from MEWPs, towers or access equipment.
2
Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING: Review the RAMS and COSHH assessments for the task. Confirm access equipment type, ground conditions, overhead services, chemical products and exclusion zone requirements with the principal contractor. Obtain any required permits (work at height, hot works if applicable, occupation).
- 2BRIEFING: Conduct a toolbox talk with all operatives covering the hazards, controls, emergency procedures, chemical SDS information, exclusion zones and no-overreaching rules. Confirm all operatives hold current IPAF (for MEWPs) or PASMA (for towers) certifications as appropriate.
- 3AREA SETUP: Erect physical barriers and wet floor signage around the full working zone including fall and chemical splash radius. Position warning signs at all approach routes. Notify adjacent trades, building occupants and the principal contractor that work is commencing.
- 4EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND SETUP: Inspect the MEWP or scaffold tower before use (pre-use checklist). Erect towers to manufacturer's instructions. Deploy outriggers/stabilisers. Verify ground conditions and apply spreader plates if required. Check wind speed is within safe limits.
- 5CHEMICAL PREPARATION: Pre-dilute cleaning chemicals at ground level to the specified concentration per the SDS. Decant into clearly labelled containers of manageable size. Carry out final PPE checks (gloves, eye protection, RPE if required) before handling chemicals.
- 6ASCENT AND EQUIPMENT TRANSFER: Don harness and clip to MEWP anchor point before raising the platform. Transfer chemical containers and tools using platform hooks, haul lines or proprietary storage—do not carry loose items up the access ladder. Confirm platform is stable before starting work.
- 7CLEANING OPERATION: Apply chemicals and clean surfaces using appropriate tools, working methodically. Do not overreach beyond the platform guardrails—reposition the equipment to reach adjacent areas. Monitor wind speed throughout. Maintain communication with ground-based spotter.
- 8DESCENT AND HOUSEKEEPING: Lower the platform fully before exiting. Transfer waste chemicals and soiled materials to ground in sealed containers. Squeegee or absorb run-off; manage drainage to prevent slip hazards. Return unused chemicals to secure storage.
- 9POST-TASK CHECKS: Inspect and store access equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidance. Remove barriers and signage only once all surfaces are safe and dry. Complete any site-required permits, inspection records and equipment logbooks. Report any defects or incidents to the supervisor.
3
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Assess whether the task can be undertaken from ground level using extension tools to eliminate the need to work at height. Where height access is unavoidable, select the most appropriate access equipment (MEWP preferred over tower over ladder) using the collective protection hierarchy.
- › All MEWPs, scaffold towers and access equipment must be inspected before use by a competent person. Towers must be erected to manufacturer's instructions (e.g. PASMA method). MEWPs must be pre-use inspected and operated only by trained, certificated operators.
- › Outriggers or stabilisers must be deployed on MEWPs and towers. Equipment must be set up on firm, level ground. Towers must be tied or stabilised if height-to-base ratio exceeds manufacturer limits. Wheels locked when stationary.
- › Operative must wear a harness attached to the MEWP anchor point as specified by the manufacturer. Harness must be inspected before use and fitted correctly.
Overturning of MEWP or tower
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect ground conditions before deploying access equipment. Use spreader plates where ground is soft. Do not operate on gradients exceeding manufacturer's limits.
- › Monitor wind speeds on site and cease MEWP or tower operations when wind exceeds the manufacturer's stated maximum (typically Beaufort 5 / 29 km/h for MEWPs). Identify a designated competent person to make the stop-work decision.
- › Only operatives holding a current IPAF PAL card (or equivalent) for the relevant MEWP category may operate the machine. Training records must be verified before work starts.
Falling objects striking persons below
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a clearly demarcated exclusion zone around the base of the access equipment and beneath the working area. Use physical barriers (Heras fencing, cones and tape) and signage. Ensure the zone is maintained throughout the task.
- › Use tool lanyards, tethers and bucket tool bags to retain all hand tools and cleaning equipment at height. Avoid placing loose items on platform edges.
- › All persons within or near the exclusion zone, including those passing through, must wear safety helmets.
Exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where the cleaning task permits, substitute hazardous chemical products with lower-hazard alternatives (e.g. pH-neutral detergents instead of strong acids or alkalis). Document the rationale in the COSHH assessment.
- › Carry out a COSHH assessment for each product used. Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to identify hazards, exposure routes and required controls. Assessments must be completed before work starts and reviewed if products change.
- › Use low-pressure application methods or foam systems rather than high-pressure spraying where practicable to reduce airborne mist. Apply chemicals using controlled nozzles to avoid overhead splashing.
- › Provide chemical-resistant gloves (EN ISO 374), eye/face protection (goggles or face shield, EN166), and where inhalation of mist cannot be controlled, an appropriate respirator (RPE) selected from the COSHH assessment.
Inhalation of chemical spray mist or fumes
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Ensure adequate natural or forced ventilation when using chemical cleaning agents internally. Open windows and doors or deploy forced-air ventilation equipment before starting and throughout the task.
- › Check EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits for substances within cleaning products. Ensure exposures remain below WELs. Where this cannot be confirmed, monitoring by a competent person may be required.
- › Where ventilation and process controls cannot reduce inhalation risk sufficiently, provide suitable RPE (e.g. half-mask with appropriate filter cartridge) selected to match the specific chemical hazard identified in the COSHH assessment. RPE must be face-fit tested.
Slips on wet surfaces
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › All operatives to wear footwear with certified slip-resistant soles (SRC rating) throughout the task.
- › Place wet floor signs and, where necessary, physical barriers around wet areas at ground level immediately when surfaces become wet. Maintain until surfaces are dry.
- › Manage run-off from cleaning to prevent pooling in access routes. Squeegee or absorb excess water promptly. Sequence work to prevent others walking through wet areas.
Contact with overhead electrical services
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Before positioning access equipment, identify all overhead electrical services (power lines, internal busbar, lighting cables). Obtain drawings or survey from the client/principal contractor. Establish safe approach distances.
- › Where work must take place near overhead electrical services, request isolation or diversion of the supply through the responsible duty holder before work begins. Obtain confirmation of isolation (permit to work or written confirmation).
- › Where isolation is not possible, install physical 'goal post' height restriction barriers on approach routes and mark exclusion zones around overhead services to prevent inadvertent contact.
Manual handling of cleaning equipment and chemicals at height
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Pre-dilute chemicals at ground level and transfer only the required quantity to the platform in small containers. Avoid carrying full, heavy containers up ladders or on platforms.
- › Use proprietary bucket hooks, platform attachments and storage points on MEWPs or towers to secure equipment rather than hand-carrying at height. Use haul lines to raise/lower equipment where safe to do so.
- › Position access equipment so operatives can work comfortably without leaning beyond the platform guardrails. Move the equipment rather than reaching to extend range. Brief operatives on this requirement at the toolbox talk.
Public and third-party interface
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect physical barriers (hoarding, Heras fencing, cones) to prevent public access beneath or near the work area. Use spotters at access points where public may enter. Liaise with the principal contractor regarding traffic management and occupied area protocols.
- › Where possible, programme high-level cleaning outside of peak occupancy or public access times (e.g. out of hours). Obtain relevant permits from the principal contractor or client.
- › Display clear warning signage at all approaches to the exclusion zone. Notify building occupants and adjacent trades of planned cleaning operations, including expected duration and any chemical odours.
4
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
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
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
- › Welfare units and signage
- › Barriers, cones and pedestrian segregation
- › First-aid kits and eye-wash
- › Spill kits
- › Communication (radios / lone-worker device)
7
Permits & legislation
Work at Height Regulations 2005Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessmentElectricity at Work Regulations 1989Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3
8
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Welfare provision matching CDM 2015 Schedule 2
- ✓ Traffic management and pedestrian routes
- ✓ Lone-working check-in arrangements where relevant
- ✓ 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.
9
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a high-level 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 high-level 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 high-level cleaning?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, 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.
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.