When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and roofing teams carrying out roof inspection & survey — 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
Inspect and survey roofs including fragile-surface risk.
Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING: Review building age, asbestos register, structural records, and any known roof defects. Identify fragile surfaces, overhead lines, and access constraints from drawings and site records before attending site.
- 2REMOTE SURVEY: Carry out initial remote assessment from ground level using binoculars, drone, or camera pole to map fragile surfaces, edge conditions, rooflights, and general roof condition. Determine whether physical access is necessary.
- 3SITE SET-UP: Establish ground-level exclusion zones with barriers and signage. Assign a banksman/spotter. Inspect and erect chosen access equipment (ladder, MEWP, or scaffold) in accordance with manufacturer guidance and PUWER requirements.
- 4BRIEFING: Brief all personnel on the task-specific RAMS, identified hazards (especially fragile surfaces, edge positions, and ACM locations), emergency procedures, and communication signals before anyone accesses the roof.
- 5ACCESS: Ascend using the selected and inspected access equipment. Ensure PPE (harness, helmet, anti-slip footwear) is worn. Confirm anchor points and edge protection are in place before moving onto the roof.
- 6INSPECTION: Follow the designated safe walking route using crawling boards or staging over fragile areas. Do not step directly onto rooflights, thin sheets, or any surface marked as fragile. Keep to the planned inspection path.
- 7DOCUMENTATION: Record findings (condition, defects, fragile areas, ACM locations) using photography and written notes. Do not disturb any suspected ACM. Mark all fragile areas on the roof plan for future reference.
- 8DESCENT AND CLEARANCE: Remove all tools and equipment from the roof, using hoisting systems as required. Descend safely. Confirm all personnel are accounted for and the roof area is clear before removing ground-level barriers.
- 9POST-INSPECTION: Compile inspection report including identified fragile surfaces, ACM concerns (to be referred to a specialist), structural issues, and recommended remedial works. Communicate findings to the client and relevant duty holders.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height — roof edge
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where feasible, use drone survey, binoculars, or camera pole to inspect the roof from ground level, eliminating the need to access the roof.
- › Install temporary edge protection (guardrails, barriers) at roof perimeter before inspection personnel access the roof.
- › Restrict roof access to competent, briefed personnel only. Implement a permit-to-work or controlled-access system.
- › Use a full-body harness connected to a suitable anchorage point or inertia reel when edge protection cannot be installed.
Fall through fragile surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use drone, binoculars or photographic survey to map fragile surfaces and mark them on a sketch plan prior to any physical roof access.
- › Provide load-spreading boards or purpose-made crawling boards to distribute weight and prevent falls through fragile surfaces.
- › Mark and barricade all known fragile areas (e.g. rooflights) with physical barriers and prominent warning notices before personnel access.
- › Where practicable, install safety nets or airbag systems beneath fragile roof surfaces to arrest a fall.
Fall from access equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Prefer MEWPs or scaffolding over ladders where practical; use ladders only for low-risk, short-duration access.
- › Inspect all access equipment (ladders, MEWPs, scaffold) before use to confirm it is undamaged, stable, and fit for purpose in accordance with PUWER.
- › Tie or secure ladders at the top and foot, or use stabilisers. Ensure MEWPs are on firm, level ground with outriggers deployed.
Slips and trips on roof surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › All operatives working on roofs must wear safety footwear with high-grip, slip-resistant soles appropriate for roof surfaces (e.g., rubber-soled boots).
- › Do not proceed with roof inspection in wet, icy, high-wind, or low-visibility conditions. Reschedule when safe weather conditions exist.
- › Establish and communicate safe walking routes across the roof using crawling boards or designated walkways where surfaces are slippery.
Asbestos-containing materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain and review the building's asbestos management survey/register before any roof inspection. Do not proceed if ACMs are uncharacterised.
- › Instruct personnel not to break, drill, brush, or walk on suspected asbestos cement or other ACM roof materials. Visual inspection only until ACMs are characterised.
- › If ACM presence is unknown or unconfirmed, commission a specialist asbestos refurbishment/demolition survey before physical inspection proceeds.
Falling objects — risk to persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Cordon off the area below the inspection zone with barriers and warning signage to prevent public and non-essential workers entering the drop zone.
- › Attach all tools to tool lanyards or place in a tool bag to prevent them being dropped. Avoid carrying loose materials on the roof.
- › Designate a ground-level operative to monitor the exclusion zone, warn the public, and communicate with the roof team.
- › All personnel within the potential drop zone must wear a safety helmet.
Structural instability of roof
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Review available structural drawings, maintenance records, and visual remote survey data to assess structural condition before any person accesses the roof.
- › Where structural adequacy is uncertain, a competent structural engineer must assess and confirm the roof can safely support inspection personnel before access is granted.
- › Restrict roof access to the minimum number of personnel required, reducing imposed load.
Overhead power lines — electric shock
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Check for overhead power lines on and around the roof before selecting access methods and equipment. Contact the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if proximity is an issue.
- › Keep all persons and equipment at least 6 m from overhead lines unless lines have been made dead or protected by the DNO. Do not use metal ladders or poles near live overhead lines.
- › Where safe distance cannot be maintained, request that the DNO temporarily isolates or diverts overhead lines before roof access commences.
Manual handling — access equipment and survey equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use rope-and-pulley hoisting systems or material hoists to raise heavy equipment to roof level rather than manual carrying.
- › Require team lifting for items that cannot be safely managed by one person, following a manual handling risk assessment.
- › Carry only equipment essential for the inspection task; leave non-essential items at ground level.
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
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
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 inspection & survey 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 inspection & survey, 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 inspection & survey?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are the main ones, alongside Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. 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.