When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and locksmith teams carrying out locksmith & door hardware — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e 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
Repair/replace locks and door hardware, including electric door isolation.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-work planning: Review the asbestos register for the building, obtain method statement and risk assessment approval from the duty holder, confirm alternative escape routes are available, and brief all operatives on task hazards and controls.
- 2Area setup: Erect barriers and signage to segregate the work doorway from occupant and public foot traffic. Divert pedestrian routes as necessary. Place tool bags and equipment away from walking lines.
- 3Electrical isolation: Identify and isolate the electrical supply to all powered door hardware (electric strikes, maglocks, access control) at the distribution board or local panel. Apply lockout/tagout. Verify dead using an approved voltage indicator. Obtain confirmation from the competent person before proceeding.
- 4Remove existing hardware: Carefully unscrew and remove existing lock bodies, handles, closers, strikes, and any associated wiring. Retain all removed components safely in a container; do not leave on the floor. Inspect the door and frame for condition and any suspect materials.
- 5Prepare fixings and apertures: Using dust-extracted power tools, drill or enlarge fixing holes as required. Stop immediately if suspect asbestos-containing material is encountered. Use on-tool extraction throughout. Wear appropriate PPE.
- 6Install new hardware: Fit new lock body, strike plate, handles, closers, and any associated hardware in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and relevant fire door requirements. Ensure all fixings are correctly torqued and hardware is aligned.
- 7Electrical reinstatement: Reconnect power to electric door hardware under supervision of a competent electrician. Remove lockout/tagout device only after confirming all covers are replaced and installation is complete. Test operation before re-energising.
- 8Functional testing: Test all hardware including latch, deadbolt, electric strike/maglock, door closer, and any access control functions. Confirm the door closes, latches, and releases correctly. For fire doors, confirm self-closing function is restored.
- 9Reinstate and close out: Remove all tools, equipment, and debris from the work area. Restore barriers and signage only after confirming door is fully functional. Notify the building manager and/or fire marshal in writing that the door has been returned to service.
- 10Documentation: Complete all required records including the permit to work closeout, any electrical test certificates, fire door reinstatement confirmation, and update the building's maintenance log.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Electric shock
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Isolate the electrical supply to door hardware at the local control panel or distribution board before commencing work. Apply a lockout/tagout device and verify isolation with an approved voltage indicator before touching any wiring.
- › Issue a written permit to work for isolation of electric door hardware, confirming the circuit is dead, earthed where necessary, and safe to work on.
- › Ensure electrical isolation and reconnection is carried out by or under supervision of a competent electrician. Do not re-energise until the competent person confirms it is safe to do so.
- › Wear insulating gloves rated to the appropriate voltage when handling wiring or terminals, as a last-resort PPE control after isolation has been confirmed.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where a choice exists, specify lighter-weight hardware or modular components to reduce individual lift weight.
- › Carry out a task-specific manual handling assessment for any single item exceeding 10 kg or requiring awkward postures. Use a two-person lift or mechanical aid where required.
- › Brief all operatives on correct lifting technique (straight back, bent knees, load close to body) and use of team lifts for heavy items.
Interference with means of escape
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Before isolating or removing hardware from any fire door or emergency exit, confirm an alternative escape route is available and clearly communicated to all occupants. Obtain written permission from the duty holder.
- › Plan work to minimise the duration that any fire door is non-functional. Complete installation in sections and restore door to fire-rated service as quickly as possible.
- › Inform the building manager and, where relevant, the fire marshal before and after any work on fire doors or emergency exit hardware. Confirm reinstatement in writing.
Harm to public or building occupants
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Physically restrict access to the doorway being worked on using barriers, signage, or temporary screens. Where possible, divert foot traffic to an alternative route for the duration of the work.
- › Where the risk to occupants cannot be adequately controlled, schedule hardware replacement during low-occupancy or out-of-hours periods.
- › Use tool lanyards and secure component pouches to prevent dropped tools or fixings injuring persons below or nearby.
Slips, trips and falls at same level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Route power cables for tools and temporary supplies overhead or along walls secured with cable clips. Do not trail cables across pedestrian routes.
- › Keep the work area tidy at all times. Store tools and components in a designated container away from the thoroughfare. Remove arisings regularly.
Dust and debris inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use drills and chisels fitted with shrouds connected to an M-class or H-class vacuum extractor to capture dust at source.
- › Where on-tool extraction is not practicable, lightly dampen the substrate before drilling to suppress dust generation.
- › Wear an FFP2 or FFP3 dust mask where residual dust exposure cannot be fully controlled by engineering measures.
Asbestos contact
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Before drilling or cutting, check the building's asbestos register or management survey. If no register exists or the area is unsurveyed, commission a refurbishment/demolition survey for the specific work area before proceeding.
- › If materials suspected of containing asbestos are encountered unexpectedly during drilling or fixing (e.g. fibrous or dusty material of unknown type), stop work immediately, prevent access, and seek asbestos advice before continuing.
Noise and vibration
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Select power tools with documented lower vibration emission values where practicable, and use sharp drill bits to reduce drilling time and vibration exposure.
- › Limit continuous use of vibrating tools per operative. Rotate tasks to spread vibration exposure. Record daily vibration exposure time where it approaches action levels.
- › Provide ear defenders or ear plugs where noise levels from power tools exceed 80 dB(A) or where occupants nearby may be affected.
Use of hand and power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect all tools before use. Remove from service any tool with damaged guards, frayed cables, or defective chucks. Use only tools that are PAT-tested and in date.
- › Select the appropriate tool and bit/blade for each specific material and fixing type to prevent slipping, breakage, or over-drilling.
- › Wear safety spectacles or goggles rated to EN166 when drilling, chiselling, or using power tools that may eject debris.
- › Wear cut-resistant gloves (EN388 rated) when handling sharp lock bodies, cut fixings, or metal hardware edges.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ 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
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ 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 locksmith & door hardware 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 locksmith & door hardware, 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 locksmith & door hardware?
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are the main ones, alongside Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. 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.