When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and flooring teams carrying out resin & epoxy flooring — 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
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Scope of works
Apply resin / epoxy floor coatings — solvent and isocyanate risk.
2
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Complete COSHH assessments for all resin, hardener and solvent products using manufacturer SDS. Confirm ventilation strategy, segregation plan and emergency procedures. Ensure health surveillance records are current for all operatives working with isocyanates.
- 2Site preparation and access control: Clear and clean the floor area. Erect physical barriers and signage to exclude non-essential workers. Confirm that all ignition sources (hot works, electrical equipment) within the exclusion zone are isolated or rated as intrinsically safe.
- 3Surface preparation: Using on-tool H-class extracted grinding or shot-blasting equipment, prepare the substrate to the required profile (typically CSP 3–5). Operatives to wear FFP3 respirator, goggles, gloves and coverall. Vacuum residual dust; do not blow with compressed air. Inspect substrate for moisture, contamination and structural defects — consult a competent person if anomalies found.
- 4Establish ventilation: Activate forced mechanical ventilation (supply and exhaust fans or LEV) and confirm adequate air change rate before opening any resin or solvent containers. Where isocyanate products are being used, verify ventilation rate with direct-reading instruments or seek occupational hygienist confirmation.
- 5Material preparation and mixing: Don full PPE (gloves, chemical goggles/face shield, respirator, coverall). Measure components in manufacturer-specified mix ratio using calibrated measuring equipment. Mix in wide, shallow containers using a slow-speed paddle mixer for the manufacturer-specified time. Avoid overly large batches. Apply mixed material within the pot life stated on the SDS.
- 6Application of primer and base coat: Apply resin primer by roller or squeegee using long-handled tools to minimise contact and reduce bending posture. Work in planned sections maintaining a cured escape route. Keep mixed quantities small. Monitor personal vapour exposure; if odour threshold is reached despite ventilation, cease work and increase ventilation before resuming.
- 7Application of body coat / broadcast aggregate (if applicable): Apply body coat evenly; broadcast anti-slip aggregate if specified. Maintain exclusion zone around wet surfaces. Rotate operatives to manage exposure duration. Use spiked roller shoes where operatives must access freshly applied surfaces.
- 8Application of topcoat / sealer: Apply finishing coat as per specification. This stage commonly has the highest solvent or isocyanate vapour risk — confirm ventilation remains adequate and respirator cartridges are within service life. For isocyanate topcoats, use supplied-air or PAPR respirator.
- 9Curing and post-application controls: Maintain ventilation and exclusion zone throughout the manufacturer's stated cure time. Do not allow foot traffic or removal of PPE requirements until the surface has reached initial cure. Dispose of empty containers, contaminated rags and mixed residues as hazardous waste in accordance with site waste management plan.
- 10Inspection and handover: Once fully cured, inspect for defects (holidays, delamination, contamination). Ensure area is adequately ventilated before unrestricted access is granted. Record all COSHH exposure monitoring data, health surveillance outcomes and any incidents in the site safety file.
3
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Skin and eye contact with resin/hardener
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select water-based or low-sensitiser epoxy systems where technically feasible to reduce dermal and respiratory hazard profile.
- › Use enclosed mixing equipment with lids, dispensing pumps and drip trays to minimise splash and spillage during product preparation.
- › Carry out a written COSHH assessment based on manufacturer SDS before work starts; brief all operatives on identified hazards and control measures.
- › Wear nitrile gloves (minimum 0.3 mm, EN ISO 374) and chemical-splash goggles (EN ISO 16321) throughout mixing and application. Change gloves regularly and before eating or drinking.
Inhalation of solvent vapours
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify waterborne or low-solvent epoxy systems to reduce vapour generation at source where performance specification permits.
- › Provide forced-air ventilation (LEV or temporary supply/exhaust fans) achieving sufficient air changes to keep solvent vapour concentrations below the relevant WEL. Monitor with direct-reading instruments where appropriate.
- › Implement exclusion zones and rotate operatives to limit personal exposure time. Post warning signage and prevent uncontrolled entry by non-essential workers.
- › Where engineering controls alone cannot reduce exposure below WEL, provide and use a half-face respirator with organic vapour/P2 combination cartridges (EN 140 / EN 14387 Type A or AX as appropriate). Ensure face-fit tested.
Isocyanate exposure
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify isocyanate-free flooring systems where performance requirements allow, removing the hazard entirely.
- › Ensure high-rate forced ventilation is operational; use low-pressure application methods to minimise aerosol generation. Consult a competent occupational hygienist to verify control effectiveness.
- › Enrol all workers who may be exposed to isocyanates on an HSE-compliant health surveillance programme including pre-placement and periodic respiratory questionnaires/lung function tests.
- › Where isocyanate aerosol or vapour is present, operatives must wear a full-face supplied-air respirator or PAPR with combined isocyanate/P3 filter. Standard organic vapour cartridges alone are not sufficient for isocyanate aerosol.
Fire and explosion from flammable solvents
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select water-based or low-flash-point-free formulations to remove the flammable solvent hazard at source.
- › Provide continuous forced ventilation to prevent vapour accumulation above LEL. Eliminate all ignition sources (sparks, open flames, non-IS electrical equipment) from the work zone and a surrounding exclusion area.
- › Issue a permit-to-work prohibiting hot works in the area during and for a defined period after flammable resin application. Store solvents in appropriate COSHH/flammables cabinet with limited quantities on site.
Slips on wet resin surface
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan application in sections so that a safe, cured access route is always maintained. Erect physical barriers and 'Wet Floor — No Entry' signage around uncured areas.
- › Where operatives must access partially cured areas, provide spiked applicator shoes or chemical-resistant anti-slip overshoes to reduce slip risk and prevent surface contamination.
Manual handling of heavy containers
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use drum trolleys, pallet trucks or powered dispensing equipment to move heavy containers. Where possible, use bulk supply systems that eliminate repeated manual lifts.
- › Carry out a specific manual handling risk assessment. Ensure containers are stored at working height, limit individual lift weights to 25 kg (or less per individual risk assessment), and train operatives in safe lifting technique.
Resin dust during surface preparation
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use grinding and preparation equipment fitted with integrated H-class vacuum extraction (BS EN 60335-2-69 performance class H) to capture dust at source before it becomes airborne.
- › Where compatible with substrate and subsequent coating adhesion, use wet grinding methods to suppress dust generation.
- › Restrict the dust-generating area; ensure bystanders and other trades are excluded from the immediate zone during preparation works.
- › Where RCS (respirable crystalline silica) exposure cannot be fully controlled by engineering means, provide and use an FFP3 disposable or reusable half-mask respirator (EN 149 / EN 140). Face-fit testing required.
Exothermic reaction during mixing
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Strictly follow manufacturer's mix ratio and maximum recommended batch size. Smaller batches generate less heat. Never mix in containers smaller than recommended.
- › Mix in wide, shallow containers rather than tall narrow ones to dissipate heat. Use slow-speed mechanical paddle mixer; avoid prolonged mixing of large volumes.
- › Wear chemical-resistant gloves and a full-face shield (EN 166) when mixing to protect against splash from exothermic spattering.
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
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
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
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)COSHH 2002, reg 7 — prevention or control of exposureRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessmentManual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
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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.
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Frequently asked questions
Who should write a resin & epoxy flooring 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 resin & epoxy flooring, 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 resin & epoxy flooring?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), COSHH 2002, reg 7 — prevention or control of exposure, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. 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.