When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and steel erection teams carrying out metal decking installation — 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
1
Scope of works
Lay and fix metal floor decking at height.
2
Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING & BRIEFING: Review the structural engineer's drawings and decking layout plan. Confirm design loads, sheet spans, fixing patterns and minimum fixings per sheet before proceeding. Deliver a pre-task toolbox talk to all operatives covering hazards, controls, exclusion zones, emergency procedures and permit requirements.
- 2EDGE PROTECTION & COLLECTIVE MEASURES: Erect perimeter guardrails, intermediate rails and toe boards to all open deck edges and large voids before any operatives work on the steelwork. Install safety netting or void covers below and over structural gaps. Establish and physically mark the exclusion zone below the working area.
- 3CRANE LIFT OF DECKING BUNDLES: Confirm the lift plan with the appointed person and crane operator. Trained slinger/signaller attaches certified spreader beam and slings to decking bundle. Crane lifts bundle from delivery vehicle directly to the required position on the steel frame, keeping the load within the exclusion zone. All non-essential personnel to clear the area.
- 4INITIAL SHEET PLACEMENT AT LEADING EDGE: Operatives wearing harnesses connected to certified anchor points position the first sheets at the leading edge. Sheets are placed across beams in the correct orientation per the layout drawing. No operative to stand on a sheet until the minimum fixing requirement has been met.
- 5FIXING OF SHEETS: Using the powder-actuated tool (operated only by certified personnel) or self-drilling screws, fix each sheet to the steel beams in accordance with the fixing pattern specified by the structural engineer. Apply the minimum fixing rule — no sheet to be left unfixed at end of shift. Button-punch or weld sheet-to-sheet side laps as specified.
- 6CUTTING TO SIZE: Where sheets require cutting, work in the designated cutting area using an angle grinder or nibbler with all guards in place. Operatives and those nearby wear hearing protection and safety glasses. Deburr and file all cut edges immediately. Remove all offcuts from the deck surface before continuing.
- 7HOUSEKEEPING DURING WORKS: At regular intervals throughout the shift, clear all offcuts, waste fixings, slings and tools from the deck surface. Maintain clear walking routes and do not allow materials to accumulate near edges. Monitor weather conditions — suspend work if the deck becomes icy, excessively wet or wind speeds are unsafe.
- 8INSPECTION OF COMPLETED BAYS: Once each bay of decking is fully fixed, a competent person (e.g. site engineer or steel erection supervisor) inspects the fixing pattern, sheet laps and edge protection to confirm compliance with design requirements before the bay is released for subsequent trades or loading.
- 9END OF SHIFT PROCEDURE: All operatives remove personal anchor points and harnesses from the structure. Edge protection must remain in place and must not be removed without a written instruction from the site manager. All tools, equipment and materials are secured or removed from the deck. The area is handed back to the site manager with a verbal and written record of work completed.
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
- › Install perimeter edge protection (guardrails, toe boards and intermediate rails) to all open edges and voids before decking work commences. Collective protection must be prioritised over personal protection.
- › Install safety netting below the deck level or temporary covers/infill panels over large voids and beam gaps to arrest or prevent falls through the structure.
- › Establish a written rescue plan for fallen or suspended operatives before works begin. Ensure trained rescuers and equipment are on site.
- › Where collective protection cannot be provided, operatives must wear a full-body harness connected to an engineered anchor point. Anchor points must be designed and certified by a competent structural engineer.
Fall through fragile or unsecured decking
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish and enforce a minimum fixing requirement (e.g. two shot fixings per sheet per joist) before any operative stands on a sheet. Detail this in the method statement and brief all operatives.
- › Mark and communicate safe walking routes over fully fixed sheets. Prohibit walking on the leading edge of unfixed sheets.
- › Provide personal fall arrest harnesses connected to certified anchor lines at the leading edge where sheets are being placed.
Struck by falling object
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish a clearly signed and physically segregated exclusion zone directly below and around the deck installation area. No operatives to be permitted in this zone during overhead work.
- › Fit toe boards (minimum 150 mm) and brick guards to all edge protection systems to prevent tools and fixings being kicked or falling off the deck.
- › Use tool lanyards for hand tools used at height. Store loose fixings in secured pouches or containers. Do not leave materials unsecured on the deck.
- › All persons within the area of overhead working must wear a safety helmet at all times.
Manual handling injury
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Wear EN 388 rated cut-resistant gloves when manually handling glass panes and window frames to prevent lacerations.
- › Use a crane or telehandler with certified spreader beam to lift bundles of decking directly from delivery vehicle to the point of use on the steel frame, minimising manual handling.
- › Where mechanical handling is impractical for individual sheets, specify decking sheets in lengths that keep individual unit weights within safe manual handling limits (typically no more than 25 kg per person, reviewed by competent person).
- › Brief operatives on team-lift techniques for individual sheets. Minimum two persons for sheets exceeding safe single-person limits. Provide manual handling training records.
Crane and lifting equipment failure
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › All crane lifts of decking bundles must be covered by a written lift plan prepared or approved by an appointed person (LEEA/CPCS qualified). Include radius, load weight, sling configuration and exclusion zones.
- › All slings, shackles, spreader beams and lifting equipment to have current thorough examination certificates (6-monthly for loose gear) and be inspected by a competent person before each lift.
- › A trained and appointed slinger/signaller (CPCS card holder) must direct all lifts. Clear communication between slinger, banksman and crane operator must be established before each lift.
Powder-actuated tool hazard
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Only operatives holding a valid manufacturer-recognised certificate of training (e.g. Hilti) are permitted to operate powder-actuated tools. Verify certificates before work commences.
- › Operator must inspect the tool before each use and select the correct cartridge power level for the base material, as per manufacturer's guidance, to prevent ricochet or over-penetration.
- › Operator and all persons within 4 m of the tool must wear hearing protection (minimum SNR 28 dB) and safety glasses or goggles during firing operations.
Slips and trips on deck surface
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Operatives must clear sheet offcuts, waste material, slings and tools from the deck surface regularly throughout the shift and at the end of each working period. Designate a waste collection point on deck.
- › Suspend decking operations when the deck surface becomes icy, heavily wet or when wind speeds exceed those specified in the method statement or structural engineer's guidance. Assign a responsible person to monitor conditions.
- › All operatives on the metal deck must wear safety footwear with anti-slip, oil-resistant soles (S3 rated minimum).
Noise exposure
Initial6→Residual3
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 practicable, use self-drilling screws or alternative low-noise fixing systems in place of powder-actuated tools to reduce noise at source.
- › Carry out a noise assessment for the task. Where daily personal noise exposure is likely to reach 80 dB(A) (lower exposure action value), implement a hearing protection zone and provide information and training.
Sharp edges and cuts
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where possible, specify sheets pre-cut to required lengths off-site to reduce the number of on-site cutting operations and associated sharp edge exposure.
- › Designate a specific cutting area on deck or at ground level. Operatives performing cuts must use appropriate guards and clamps. Deburr or file sharp cut edges immediately after cutting.
- › All operatives handling decking sheets must wear cut-resistant gloves (EN 388 Level C minimum) at all times during handling and fixing operations.
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
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
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
- › 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
7
Permits & legislation
Work at Height Regulations 2005Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment RegulationsPUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment RegulationsManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessmentControl of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
8
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.
9
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a metal decking installation 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 metal decking installation, 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 metal decking installation?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations are the main ones, alongside PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, 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.
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.