When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and hvac teams carrying out rooftop condenser lifting & commissioning — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e 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 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
Lift condensers/chillers to roof level and commission — lifting operations, work at height and electrical.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Obtain and review the lifting plan (prepared by the appointed person), structural engineer's roof loading confirmation, COSHH assessment for refrigerant, and roof access permit. Confirm all lifting equipment certificates are current under LOLER.
- 2Site setup and access: Erect or verify edge protection to all open roof edges. Establish crane pad positions, confirm ground bearing capacity, set up exclusion zone barriers and signage below the lift zone. Position stair tower or confirm safe roof access route.
- 3Pre-lift checks: Carry out pre-use inspection of all lifting accessories (slings, shackles, spreader beam). Brief all operatives — crane operator, slinger, banksman, roof-level team — on the lift plan, signals, wind limit and abort procedure. Check anemometer reading against permitted limit.
- 4Rigging the load: Attach spreader beam and certified slings to manufacturer-designated lift points on the condenser. Attach tag lines. Conduct a test lift to 300 mm; hold and confirm balance, sling angles and crane stability before proceeding.
- 5Lift and set down: Lift to roof level under constant banksman direction. Roof-level operatives, wearing fall arrest where required, use tag lines to guide the load — remaining clear of the roof edge. Set the unit down on pre-positioned isolator mounts or plinth. Do not release rigging until load is confirmed stable.
- 6Mechanical installation: Using roof trolleys or skates where required, position the condenser on its final plinth. Torque mounts to manufacturer specification. Make all refrigerant pipework connections. Pressure test with dry nitrogen to design pressure; hold and inspect for leaks before any refrigerant is introduced.
- 7Electrical connection: Isolate and lock off the incoming electrical supply. Prove dead with GS38-compliant voltage indicator. Connect power and control wiring in accordance with the wiring diagram and IEE/BS 7671 requirements. Inspection and test by competent electrician before energisation.
- 8Refrigerant charging and commissioning: F-Gas certified engineer charges refrigerant to design specification. Use refrigerant leak detector to confirm system integrity. Commission unit per manufacturer's commissioning schedule; record all readings.
- 9Completion and handover: Remove all temporary edge protection only where permanent protection is confirmed sufficient. Remove crane, exclusion zones and lifting equipment from site. Complete commissioning documentation, O&M information and handover records. Sign off roof access permit.
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
- › Ensure permanent parapet walls, guardrails or balustrades meeting minimum 1.1 m height are in place around all open roof edges before any operative accesses the roof. Where not present, erect proprietary edge protection systems before work commences.
- › Operate a roof access permit system recording edge protection status, number of persons, planned duration and emergency arrangements before any rooftop access.
- › Where collective edge protection cannot be provided at all points, operatives must use a certified fall arrest harness connected to a suitably rated anchor point or horizontal lifeline. Rescue plan must be in place prior to use.
Crane or crane-assisted load failure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A written lifting plan must be prepared by a competent appointed person before any lift, detailing crane selection, ground bearing pressures, outrigger positions, radii, load weights, sling configurations and exclusion zones.
- › All lifting equipment (crane, chains, shackles, spreader beams) must have current thorough examination certificates. A pre-use visual inspection must be carried out by the lifting supervisor on the day of the lift.
- › Establish a hard exclusion zone beneath and around the lift radius using barriers and signage. A dedicated, trained banksman/slinger must maintain visual or radio contact with the crane operator at all times during the lift.
- › A structural engineer must confirm the roof deck can accommodate the imposed point loads from the condenser unit and any temporary lifting equipment before the load is set down.
Rigging and slinging failure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Only operatives holding a recognised slinging/signalling qualification (e.g. CPCS or equivalent) may attach and detach lifting accessories from the load.
- › Use manufacturer-designated lift points on the condenser frame. Use a proprietary spreader beam to maintain correct sling angles and prevent crushing of the unit casing.
- › Raise the load 300 mm and pause to verify balance, sling angles and equipment response before continuing the lift to roof level.
Electric shock during commissioning
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Prior to any electrical connections, isolate the incoming supply at the distribution board, apply a lockout/tagout device and prove dead using an approved voltage indicator (GS38-compliant) before touching any conductors.
- › All electrical connection, testing and commissioning must be carried out by a suitably qualified and competent person (e.g. JIB graded or equivalent) with documented competence for the voltage level involved.
- › Use fully insulated, VDE-rated hand tools. Where any live working is unavoidable and justified under a written risk assessment, wear arc-flash rated PPE and insulating gloves appropriate to the voltage.
Manual handling — condenser skidding and positioning
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use roof trolleys, pallet trucks, pipe rollers or skates to manoeuvre the unit across the roof deck. Avoid manual pushing of loads exceeding team push/pull thresholds.
- › Appoint a task coordinator to direct positioning. Brief all team members on the route, obstacles, commands and stopping signals before the move commences.
- › All operatives involved in handling the unit must wear steel toe-capped and midsole-protected safety boots and anti-crush handling gloves.
Unstable access to roof level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide a stair tower or use existing fixed building stairs as the primary access route. Ladders should only be used for light tool access of short duration where stairs cannot be provided.
- › Keep access routes clear of cables, pipe fittings and packaging. Apply non-slip strips on stair treads and inspect for ice or standing water before work begins each day.
- › Operatives must wear footwear with a grip-rated sole suitable for wet and smooth roof surfaces.
Refrigerant release
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Perform initial pressure testing using dry nitrogen before introducing refrigerant. This eliminates the risk of refrigerant release during integrity checks.
- › A COSHH assessment must be completed for the specific refrigerant in use. Only F-Gas certified engineers may handle, recover or charge refrigerants.
- › Use a calibrated refrigerant leak detector during and after charging. Ensure adequate natural or forced ventilation at the work area. In enclosed plant rooms, fit fixed gas detection.
Adverse weather — wind loading during lift
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › The lifting plan must specify maximum permissible wind speeds for the lift (typically 25 mph for large surface-area loads). A calibrated anemometer must be used on the day; the lift must be suspended if limits are exceeded.
- › Attach tag lines (guide ropes) of adequate length to the condenser before the lift to allow operatives at roof level to control load orientation without placing themselves at the roof edge.
- › Check Met Office forecasts the day before and morning of the lift. Establish a clear decision-maker (lifting supervisor) with authority to postpone. Record the decision.
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
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
Competence
- ✓ F-Gas certification (company and personnel — e.g. REFCOM, F Gas Register or Bureau Veritas) for any refrigerant handling — a separate statutory requirement, not covered by this RAMS
- ✓ 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
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ 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 rooftop condenser lifting & commissioning 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 rooftop condenser lifting & commissioning, 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 rooftop condenser lifting & commissioning?
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 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, F-Gas Regulation (GB) — refrigeration, air conditioning and refrigerant handling. 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.