When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and demolition teams carrying out m&e strip-out — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised demolition & strip-out 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 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
Strip out mechanical and electrical services after isolation.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-start: Obtain and review the asbestos R&D survey and register. Confirm all ACMs in the strip-out zone have been removed or made safe by a competent asbestos contractor before mobilisation.
- 2Isolation — electrical: A competent electrician carries out formal LOTO isolation of all electrical circuits in the strip-out zone. Issue Electrical Permit to Work confirming circuits isolated, locked, and proved dead with a GS38-compliant voltage indicator.
- 3Isolation — mechanical: A competent person isolates all mechanical systems (HVAC, heating, pressurised pipework), drains down and vents to zero pressure. Issue Mechanical Isolation Permit to Work confirming completion.
- 4Access setup: Erect collective fall protection (MEWP, tower scaffold, or working platform with guardrails) for all overhead strip-out tasks. Inspect access equipment before use. Establish housekeeping and waste segregation areas.
- 5Electrical strip-out: Test each cable dead with voltage indicator immediately before cutting. Strip out luminaires, distribution boards, cable trays, conduit, and wiring in a controlled sequence. Cut cables to manageable lengths and bundle immediately to prevent trip hazards.
- 6Mechanical strip-out: Make first cuts on pipework wearing face shield and chemical-resistant gloves. Section long ductwork and pipework runs in-situ using low-vibration tools. Use mechanical lifting aids or team lifts to lower heavy sections to ground level.
- 7Material handling and waste: Remove arisings progressively to designated waste skips. Segregate metals, cables, insulation, and mixed waste for recycling or disposal. Keep floor areas clear of debris and cables at all times.
- 8Ongoing monitoring: Supervisor checks isolation permits remain valid throughout shift. Operative HAV and noise exposure monitored against daily limits. Stop-work procedure activated if unexpected materials (suspect ACMs, live conductors) are encountered.
- 9End of shift: Confirm all Permits to Work are signed off or transferred. Reinstate barriers and hoarding around open penetrations or voids. Conduct final housekeeping sweep and remove waste from working areas.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Electric shock from live services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › All electrical circuits must be formally isolated at the source (LOTO procedure), locked off, and proved dead using an approved voltage indicator (GS38) before any work commences. Isolation must be carried out by a competent electrician.
- › A written Permit to Work must be issued by the responsible person confirming isolation status, circuit references isolated, and test results. No work to proceed without a valid permit.
- › Use a GS38-compliant voltage indicator to prove dead immediately before cutting or disconnecting any cable. Never assume a circuit is dead based on isolation alone.
- › Wear BS EN 60903 rated insulating gloves and use insulated hand tools rated to 1000V as a last line of defence when working in proximity to electrical equipment.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where collective protection cannot be provided (e.g. during initial erection or final strike phase), operatives must use a full-body harness with energy-absorbing lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point.
- › Assess whether any overhead services can be safely lowered or detached from ground level using mechanical aids before accessing at height.
- › Use a MEWP or purpose-built working platform with integral guardrails as the primary access method for sustained overhead work. Prioritise collective protection over personal fall arrest.
- › Ladders to be used only for short-duration, low-risk tasks where a MEWP cannot be used. Inspect before use; maintain three points of contact; never over-reach.
Manual handling — heavy/awkward services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Cut long runs of ductwork, pipework, or cable tray into manageable sections in-situ before lowering to reduce individual load weights.
- › Use chain blocks, gantry hoists, or MEWP-mounted cradles to lower heavy items to ground level. Avoid manual lowering of items over 25 kg.
- › Operatives to receive task-specific manual handling briefing. Two-person lifts to be used for loads between 10–25 kg. Designate a banksman for coordinated lowering operations.
- › Wear cut-resistant gloves and steel-toecap safety boots to protect against sharp edges on ductwork and dropped components.
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) disturbance
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Obtain and review the current asbestos register and refurbishment/demolition survey (R&D survey) covering all areas where M&E strip-out will occur before work commences. Do not proceed if survey is absent or incomplete.
- › Where ACMs are identified on or near M&E services, commission a licensed or non-licensed (as appropriate) asbestos contractor to remove them before M&E strip-out begins.
- › Operatives briefed to stop work immediately if unexpected suspect material is encountered. Area to be cordoned off and a competent asbestos consultant contacted for sampling.
Dust and fumes from disturbed materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Apply water mist to materials prior to removal to suppress dust generation during strip-out of insulation and ceiling elements.
- › Use power tools fitted with on-tool extraction connected to an H-class vacuum unit. Use H-class vacuums for cleaning up loose insulation debris.
- › Wear a minimum FFP3-rated disposable respirator when handling fibrous insulation or generating fine dust. Ensure face-fit testing has been completed.
Slips, trips and falls on the same level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Operatives to wear safety boots with EN ISO 20345-compliant, slip-resistant soles rated for the substrate conditions on site.
- › Establish a clear-as-you-go regime. Designate clearly marked waste skips or collection areas adjacent to the work zone. Remove arisings at regular intervals rather than allowing accumulation.
- › Cut stripped cables into manageable lengths and bundle immediately. Do not allow loose cables to lie across pedestrian routes or access ways.
Stored energy release — pressurised systems
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › All pipework and mechanical systems must be formally isolated, drained, and vented to atmosphere by a competent person before any cutting or disconnection. Isolation to be confirmed by a second check at the nearest drain point or pressure gauge.
- › A written mechanical isolation permit must be issued confirming drain-down completion and zero-pressure verification. Strip-out must not proceed without a valid permit.
- › On first cut of any pipework, wear a full face shield and chemical-resistant gloves to protect against unexpected residual fluid spray.
Noise and vibration from power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Calculate daily noise and vibration exposure (LEP,d and EAV). Implement job rotation to limit individual exposure below EAV (80 dB(A) noise; 2.5 m/s² HAV) where elimination is not possible.
- › Provide EN 352 rated ear defenders or plugs where noise exceeds 85 dB(A). Note: anti-vibration gloves have limited effectiveness for HAV reduction and must not substitute for exposure reduction.
- › Specify tools with the lowest vibration emission values available for the task. Use battery-powered tools where practicable as these often generate lower noise and vibration than pneumatic equivalents.
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
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ 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 strip tools and wrecking bars
- › Dust suppression equipment
- › Waste chutes and covered skips
- › Asbestos sample kits (analyst use only)
- › Temporary props where structure is affected
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Asbestos survey reviewed before any strip-out
- ✓ Structural stability checked before load-bearing removal
- ✓ Waste segregation and disposal route
- ✓ 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 m&e strip-out 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 m&e strip-out, 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 m&e strip-out?
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 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.