When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and roofing teams carrying out roof cladding & sheeting — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised work at height 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
Scope of works
Install profiled metal roof cladding and sheeting at height.
Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING & SURVEY: Before mobilising, survey the roof for fragile surfaces, overhead power lines and existing services. Produce a written Rescue Plan and ensure it is communicated to all operatives. Confirm wind speed limits and weather suspension criteria.
- 2ESTABLISH EXCLUSION ZONE: Erect ground-level barriers and signage around the building perimeter. Post lookouts or barriers to prevent unauthorised entry beneath the work area throughout the task.
- 3INSTALL COLLECTIVE FALL PROTECTION: Erect edge protection (guardrail, mid-rail, toe-board) along all roof edges and around any openings before any sheet installation begins. Install debris netting where required.
- 4SAFE ACCESS TO ROOF: Operatives to access roof via the designated scaffold staircase, fixed ladder or MEWP. No climbing on cladding rails or purlins. Sign on to the permit-to-work or activity register.
- 5SHEET DELIVERY TO ROOF: Use crane or MEWP lifting attachment to hoist bundled sheets to roof level using a certified sling set and lift plan. Banksman to control lift. Do not lift sheets in wind speeds exceeding the agreed limit.
- 6INSTALL CRAWLING BOARDS AND WALKING ROUTES: Position crawling boards and roof ladders spanning at least two purlins before operatives walk on the roof structure. Maintain boards throughout installation as the designated walking route.
- 7SHEET POSITIONING AND FIXING: Position each sheet with a minimum two-person team. Tether sheet before release from crane. Fix at the required number of fixing points immediately before moving to the next sheet. Do not leave sheets unsecured.
- 8CUTTING OPERATIONS: Where on-site cutting is required, use nibblers or shears at ground level where possible. If cutting at height is unavoidable, use guarded tools, contain swarf, and secure off-cuts immediately.
- 9END-OF-SHIFT HOUSEKEEPING: Secure or remove all off-cuts, fixings and loose materials from the roof. Inspect edge protection. Sign off the permit. Remove access equipment. Confirm the exclusion zone remains in place if work is incomplete.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Consider whether the task can be completed from ground level using tools with extended reaches, eliminating the need for a ladder entirely.
- › 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.
- › Erect compliant edge protection (guardrail, mid-rail and toe-board) along all open roof edges and around openings before cladding work begins. Maintain throughout the task.
- › Provide a fully boarded, guardrailed scaffold or MEWP as the primary working platform rather than relying on fragile roof structure or ladders.
Fragile roof and surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Produce and communicate a written scheme identifying fragile areas (rooflights, unsupported sheets, corroded areas). Post prominent warning notices at access points.
- › Use appropriately rated roof ladders or crawling boards spanning at least two purlins to distribute load across the roof structure when traversing the roof.
- › Where fall-through risk cannot be eliminated, install safety netting or airbag system below the working area to arrest a fall.
Manual handling — sheet lifting and carrying
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use crane, gin wheel or dedicated sheet lifting attachment on MEWP to hoist bundles and individual sheets to the roof level, minimising manual lifting.
- › Conduct a documented manual handling risk assessment identifying safe team-lift sizes and sheet lengths. Limit manual carries to manageable lengths; use two or more operatives for longer sheets.
- › Wear suitable gloves providing grip, cut resistance from sheet edges and vibration attenuation where power tools are used.
Sheet blown by wind
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Monitor on-site wind speed continuously. Suspend sheet installation when sustained wind speeds exceed a pre-agreed safe limit (typically 25 mph / Beaufort Force 5) or as specified by a competent person.
- › Tether individual sheets before lifting and fix at multiple points immediately upon positioning. Do not leave sheets unsecured.
Cut and laceration from sheet edges
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where possible, cut sheets to length at ground level or pre-order cut-to-size to reduce on-roof cutting and handling of cut edges at height.
- › Use power shears or nibblers with blade guards in preference to angle grinders, reducing sparking, noise and the production of sharp swarf.
- › Operatives must wear EN388-rated cut-resistant gloves (minimum level C) when handling sheets. Consider cut-resistant arm sleeves for extended handling tasks.
Falling objects striking persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect barriers and signage to create an exclusion zone of adequate radius around the building footprint for the duration of roof work. Prevent unauthorised entry.
- › Install debris netting or a scaffold fan (catch platform) at low level around the building perimeter to arrest falling objects.
- › All hand tools used at height to be tethered. Sheet bundles, fixings and off-cuts to be secured or contained in buckets. No loose materials to be left on roof at end of shift.
- › All persons within or adjacent to the exclusion zone must wear a safety helmet at all times.
Contact with overhead power lines
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Survey the site for overhead power lines before work begins. Liaise with DNO (Distribution Network Operator) to arrange diversion, isolation or protective covering before any lifting operations commence.
- › Where isolation is not achieved, establish clearly marked exclusion zones (goal posts / barriers) around lines to prevent plant, equipment and materials from approaching within safe distances.
- › All crane and MEWP lifts near overhead lines to be controlled by a competent banksman following a written lift plan approved by a competent person.
Noise from cutting and fixing tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use electric nibblers or shears rather than angle grinders for cutting to reduce noise at source.
- › Conduct a noise risk assessment. Where exposure is likely to exceed 80 dB(A) LEP,d, provide information and training; above 85 dB(A) LEP,d, hearing protection zones must be established.
- › Provide suitable hearing protection (SNR-rated ear defenders or plugs) for all operatives in the hearing protection zone.
Adverse weather — slippery roof surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Monitor weather forecasts and on-site conditions. Suspend roof work during ice, frost, heavy rain or when sheets are wet and cannot be safely traversed. Define a clear suspension policy in the method statement.
- › Operatives to wear footwear with slip-resistant soles rated for metal surfaces. Designate and maintain walking routes on roof boards rather than directly on sheets.
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
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
Competence
- ✓ Roof-work competence and work-at-height training
- ✓ 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
- › Scaffold / mobile tower / MEWP as selected
- › Podium steps or ladders for short-duration tasks
- › Tool lanyards and tethers
- › Edge protection components
- › Inspection tags
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ A named access method (scaffold / tower / MEWP) with inspection regime
- ✓ A rescue plan that doesn't rely on calling 999
- ✓ Collective protection considered before harnesses
- ✓ 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 roof cladding & sheeting 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 roof cladding & sheeting, 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 roof cladding & sheeting?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, 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.