When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and flooring teams carrying out laminate & engineered wood — 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
Lay laminate and engineered-wood flooring with cutting.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Review RAMS and COSHH assessments; check SDS sheets for any adhesives; ensure all tools are PAT-tested and blade guards functional; confirm RCD protection is available for all 230 V tools.
- 2Area preparation: Clear the subfloor of debris, protruding fixings and contamination; check subfloor is dry, level (within manufacturer tolerance) and structurally sound. Mark and keep pedestrian routes clear.
- 3Material acclimation and staging: Move board packs to the work area using a trolley; stack flat and allow to acclimatise per manufacturer's guidance. Do not block emergency exits or walkways.
- 4Underlay installation: Lay underlay sheets in the correct orientation, butting joints; tape as required. Dispose of packaging immediately into waste bag to prevent trip hazards.
- 5Set up cutting station: Position saw in a ventilated area or outdoors; attach dust extraction; set blade depth; brief all nearby workers before starting cutting. Display exclusion zone signage if required.
- 6Board laying: Begin at the straightest wall with expansion spacers in place; click or glue boards row by row using correct tapping block and pull bar; avoid excessive bending by using knee pads and kneeling boards.
- 7Cutting to fit: Measure and mark boards before taking to the cutting station; clamp securely; wear RPE, eye protection, hearing protection and cut-resistant gloves; return cut board to laying area.
- 8Adhesive application (if required): Ventilate the area; apply adhesive per SDS and manufacturer instructions wearing nitrile gloves and appropriate RPE; avoid skin and eye contact; seal adhesive containers when not in use.
- 9Final fit and finishing: Install skirting, beading and threshold strips; check all expansion gaps are maintained; collect all offcuts, spacers and packaging for disposal.
- 10Post-task housekeeping: Remove all tools and materials from the area; vacuum residual dust using Class M/H vacuum (do not dry sweep); inspect area for trip hazards; report any tool damage or near-miss incidents.
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
- › Where engineering controls cannot adequately suppress dust, wear a FFP3-rated disposable or half-mask respirator. RPE is the last line of defence and must be fit-tested.
- › Connect power saws to a Class H or Class M vacuum extractor with a fitted shroud at source to capture dust before it becomes airborne.
- › Position cutting station outdoors or in a well-ventilated dedicated area, away from other workers, to dilute residual airborne dust.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide and mandate knee pads to protect against prolonged kneeling on hard substrates.
- › Use a sack truck, panel trolley or pallet truck to move packs from delivery point to work area, avoiding manual carrying over distances.
- › Split large packs or carry individual packs with a second operative; brief all workers on safe lifting technique (straight back, bent knees, load close to body).
Contact with saw blade
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Ensure all saws have blade guards in place and in working order; inspect before use. Use a saw with a riving knife and lower guard for circular saws.
- › Secure boards with clamps or a stop block on a stable cutting table or saw horse; never hold the board freehand against a powered blade.
- › Wear cut-resistant gloves (EN 388 Level C minimum) and safety glasses or goggles when handling cut boards and during jigsaw operations where projected fragments are likely.
Slips and trips on offcuts and materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Designate a scrap bin or skip bag at the cutting station; clear offcuts and packaging from the laying area at regular intervals and at end of each work period.
- › Mark or communicate clear walkways through the work area that are kept free of materials and boards stacked flat.
- › Wear safety boots with slip-resistant soles (EN ISO 20345 S1P minimum) throughout all work activities.
Noise exposure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide and enforce use of appropriate hearing protection (ear defenders or plugs with adequate SNR rating) in designated hearing protection zones where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A).
- › Where feasible, use hand-scoring tools or manual pull saws for short occasional cuts to eliminate powered saw noise.
- › Position cutting station away from other workers; restrict access during powered cutting to avoid unnecessary third-party noise exposure.
Adhesive and chemical exposure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select adhesive products with the lowest hazard profile to achieve the required bond; avoid solvent-based products unless technically necessary.
- › Open windows and doors; use mechanical ventilation or forced-air fans to dilute VOC concentrations to below workplace exposure limits during and after adhesive application.
- › Review the Safety Data Sheet for each adhesive before use; wear nitrile gloves and, where stated, a respirator with organic vapour cartridge (OV/P3).
Eye injury from flying debris
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Keep all blade guards fully operational and use jigs or fences that contain fragments within the guard envelope.
- › Wear impact-rated safety glasses (EN ISO 16321 / EN166 minimum) or goggles during all cutting and when trimming boards.
Electric shock from power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Wherever practicable, specify centre-tapped 110 V power tools or cordless battery tools to reduce shock severity risk.
- › Ensure all 230 V tools are protected by a 30 mA residual current device (RCD) at the socket; use only PAT-tested tools with current inspection labels.
- › Route cables overhead or along walls away from the cutting and laying area; inspect cables for damage before each use and remove from service if damaged.
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)
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ 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 laminate & engineered wood 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 laminate & engineered wood, 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 laminate & engineered wood?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, COSHH 2002, reg 7 — prevention or control of exposure, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. 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.