When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and pre-cast concrete teams carrying out pre-cast concrete erection — 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
Crane-erect pre-cast concrete units with lifting and work at height.
2
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-erection planning: Hold a pre-erection briefing with the erection team, crane operator, banksman, temporary works coordinator (TWC) and site management. Review the approved lift plan, erection sequence, propping scheme and emergency rescue procedure. Confirm all personnel are competent and hold relevant certificates (CPCS, NPORS, harness training).
- 2Site and crane set-up: Prepare and inspect the crane standing area to confirm ground-bearing capacity. Position and level the crane in accordance with the lift plan; deploy and inspect outrigger mats. Erect site fencing, barriers and signage to define the exclusion zone around the entire erection area.
- 3Lifting accessories and pre-lift checks: Inspect all slings, shackles, spreader beams and lifting inserts against the current thorough examination records and the lift plan SWL. Confirm colour-code compliance. Connect accessories to the pre-cast unit; slinger to confirm lift point, unit weight and load balance before communicating readiness to the banksman.
- 4Controlled lift and travel: Banksman gives clear signal to lift. Trial lift to approximately 300 mm; pause and check load stability, sling angles and balance. Attach tag lines. Crane travels the unit to the installation position following the agreed route at the slowest safe speed, keeping the load as low as practicable.
- 5Landing and initial propping: Lower the unit slowly to its designated landing position under banksman direction. Operatives (using tag lines and positioning bars — not hands) guide the unit into position. Do not allow any person directly beneath the load. Once landed on packing/levelling shims, install temporary props as specified by the engineer before the crane releases tension.
- 6Connection and alignment: Once temporary props are secured and confirmed by the TWC, the crane may release. Operatives fix permanent connections (cast-in plates, bolts, grout pockets) in accordance with the structural engineer's specification. Wear appropriate COSHH PPE for grouting operations.
- 7Repeat erection cycle: The banksman confirms the lifting zone is clear, accessories are reset and all personnel have returned to safe positions before signalling the crane for the next lift. The TWC monitors the stability of the partially erected structure at each stage.
- 8Progressive edge protection: As each unit is installed, advance collective edge protection (guardrails and toeboards) along the perimeter immediately. Do not commence the next lift until edge protection to the previously erected bay is in place.
- 9End-of-shift inspection and housekeeping: At end of each shift, the TWC and site supervisor inspect all temporary propping for security. Remove all surplus packing, lifting accessories and waste materials from the work area. Confirm crane is parked safely with hook raised and slewing brake applied.
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 guardrails, toe boards and mid-rails at all open edges before operatives begin work at height; remove only when the works are complete.
- › Develop a planned erection sequence by a competent structural engineer that minimises time spent working at height and ensures members are stable before connectors are released.
- › Establish and maintain a clearly marked exclusion zone directly beneath and around the erection zone to prevent persons working below suspended loads or at-height operatives.
- › Where collective protection cannot be provided, operatives must use a full-body harness attached to a pre-installed or engineered anchor point with an energy-absorbing lanyard. Rescue plan must be in place prior to use.
Crane load collapse or failure
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A written lift plan must be prepared by a competent appointed person, specifying crane type, capacity, radii, ground bearing pressures, outrigger mat sizes, and confirming that the crane is not overloaded at any point in the lift.
- › Crane must hold a current thorough examination certificate (6-monthly for lifting equipment). Pre-use checks must be completed by the operator each shift and recorded.
- › All slings, shackles, spreader beams and lifting inserts must be CE/UKCA-marked, rated for the load, within their thorough examination period, inspected before each lift and colour-coded to the current period.
- › No personnel permitted beneath or within the swing radius of a suspended pre-cast unit at any time. Banksman/slinger must control approach and only allow fixers near a unit once it is safely landed and temporarily propped.
Struck by suspended pre-cast unit
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Attach non-conductive tag lines of sufficient length to control load orientation and prevent spinning during the lift. Operatives must never use their body to control a swinging load.
- › Monitor wind speed continuously; suspend lifting operations when wind speeds exceed the crane manufacturer's or lift plan limits (typically 10–15 m/s depending on unit geometry and sail area).
- › A dedicated trained and appointed banksman must control all crane movements using agreed signals. Only the banksman communicates with the crane operator during a lift.
- › All personnel within the crane operating area must wear EN 397 hard hats at all times.
Manual handling injury
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Ensure all operatives have received manual handling training covering safe lifting technique, load assessment, and recognition of when mechanical aids must be used.
- › Use the crane and certified accessories to position units as closely as possible to final location, minimising manual adjustment. Use mechanical bolt-runners or powered tools for repetitive fixing tasks.
- › Two-person minimum for handling props, bracing clamps or items over 20 kg. Rotate tasks to limit cumulative manual handling exposure per individual per shift.
Structural instability of partially erected frame
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A structural engineer must design and specify the temporary propping scheme for each stage of erection. Propping must be installed before the crane releases the unit and must not be removed until connections achieve design strength.
- › Follow the engineer-approved erection sequence. Do not advance erection beyond the designed stage without written confirmation that the temporary works can sustain the additional load.
- › A competent Temporary Works Coordinator must be appointed to control the design, check, approval and removal of all temporary propping in accordance with BS 5975.
Slips, trips and falls at ground level
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Implement a daily and end-of-shift housekeeping routine to clear steel offcuts, packaging and trip hazards from working areas. Designate stacking zones away from access routes.
- › Prepare and level the crane standing area and operative access routes before erection commences. Address standing water, soft ground and surface irregularities.
- › All personnel to wear safety boots to EN ISO 20345 (S3 rating) with anti-slip and penetration-resistant soles.
Dust inhalation (concrete/silica)
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Avoid cutting, grinding or drilling pre-cast units on site wherever possible by specifying accurately manufactured units to remove the need for remedial cutting.
- › Where cutting or drilling cannot be avoided, use wet methods combined with H-class on-tool extraction vacuum equipment to suppress and capture RCS at source.
- › Where engineering controls do not reduce exposure to below the WEL (4 mg/m³ RCS 8-hr TWA), operatives must wear a correctly fit-tested FFP3 disposable respirator or half-mask with P3 filter.
Contact with wet cement and grout
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify cement and grout products with added ferrous sulphate to reduce hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) content to below 2 ppm in compliance with UK/EU requirements.
- › Provide operatives with a COSHH assessment and product safety data sheet (SDS) briefing for all grout products before use.
- › Operatives to use barrier cream before work, wear chemical-resistant nitrile gloves and long sleeves. Welfare facilities with running water must be readily accessible to allow prompt removal of cement from skin.
Noise exposure from concrete operations
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Carry out a site noise assessment before operations begin. If daily noise exposure is likely to exceed 80 dB(A) (lower action value), implement controls; above 85 dB(A) (upper action value), hearing protection zones must be established.
- › Select quieter plant (e.g. hydraulic versus impact breakers). Schedule high-noise tasks away from groups of workers and sensitive receptors where practicable.
- › Provide EN 352-compliant hearing protection (ear defenders or plugs) rated to reduce exposure below 80 dB(A) at the ear. Enforce use within designated hearing protection zones.
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 (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ 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 2005LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment RegulationsPUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment RegulationsManual Handling Operations Regulations 1992Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessmentControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)Control 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 pre-cast concrete erection 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 pre-cast concrete erection, 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 pre-cast concrete erection?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations are the main ones, alongside Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), 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 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.