When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and rope access teams carrying out rope access inspection — 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 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Building and structure inspection by rope access.
Sequence of works
- 1Planning and pre-work: Review structure drawings, assess anchor point suitability with a competent/structural person, prepare task-specific RAMS, obtain necessary permits, and notify building management and relevant parties of work dates and exclusion zones.
- 2Pre-task briefing: Hold a toolbox talk with all operatives and ground crew covering the method statement, RAMS, site hazards, weather criteria, communication protocol, anchor locations, rescue plan, and emergency contacts. Confirm all operative certifications (IRATA Level 1–3 or equivalent) are current.
- 3Exclusion zone establishment: Install physical barriers (crowd-control barriers or Heras fencing), warning signage, and deploy banksman(men) to control the zone beneath and around the work area before any equipment is taken aloft.
- 4Equipment inspection: Each operative carries out a thorough pre-use inspection of all rope access equipment (harness, ropes, descenders, ascenders, connectors, helmets) and records findings. Defective equipment must be withdrawn immediately.
- 5Rigging and anchor set-up: Operatives wearing appropriate PPE and using short safety lines access the rigging area. Install and verify anchor systems (minimum two independent anchors per operative). Rig working and safety lines with rope protectors at all edges. Supervisor checks and signs off the complete rig before descent.
- 6Pre-descent checks (buddy check): Each operative's buddy (or the supervisor) performs a full equipment check — harness fit, device connections, rope routing, backup device engaged, and tool lanyards secured — before the operative goes over the edge.
- 7Rope access inspection work: Operatives descend in a controlled manner, maintaining two-rope independence at all times. Inspections are carried out methodically, with findings recorded using retained tools and documentation. Regular communication checks are maintained with ground crew.
- 8Weather and condition monitoring: Ground supervisor continuously monitors weather conditions against defined stop criteria. If criteria are met (e.g. high wind, lightning, ice), all operatives are instructed to ascend and work is suspended immediately.
- 9Ascent and derigging: On completion of inspection or at the end of the shift, operatives ascend under controlled conditions. Once all personnel are clear of the facade, the rig is dismantled, ropes and equipment are carefully recovered, and all anchors are inspected and made safe.
- 10Post-work site clearance: Remove all barriers, signage, and equipment. Brief the team on any near-misses, issues, or observations. Complete inspection records and sign off the permit to work. Store all equipment appropriately and report any equipment defects for withdrawal and replacement.
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 inspection can be achieved from ground level using optical tools, drones, or MEWP before committing to rope access.
- › All anchor points must be designed, installed and inspected by a competent person, rated to withstand applicable dynamic loads (minimum 12 kN per EN 795). Anchors must be documented and test-certified.
- › Each operative must use an independently anchored working rope and a fall-arrest safety rope with a suitable rope grab/backup device at all times while suspended.
- › Sit harness or full-body harness, helmet with chin strap, descender, ascenders, rope protectors, and karabiners — all to relevant EN standards, within thorough examination intervals.
Anchor point failure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › A structural engineer or similarly competent person must assess and approve anchor locations before use, particularly on older, damaged, or unknown structures.
- › Anchors, ropes, and all associated equipment must be subject to pre-use checks by the operative and periodic thorough examination by a competent person. Records must be retained.
- › Where possible, rig from two independent anchor points so that failure of one does not result in an uncontrolled fall.
Falling objects striking persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Demarcate a suitable exclusion zone beneath and around the work area using barriers, cones, and signage. Prevent public and non-essential personnel from entering the zone.
- › All hand tools and inspection devices must be attached to the operative or their harness via rated tool lanyards. Equipment not in use must be secured in a tool bag.
- › Deploy a dedicated banksman at ground level to monitor and control the exclusion zone, communicate with operatives aloft, and prevent inadvertent access by the public.
- › All personnel in the vicinity of rope access operations must wear a safety helmet rated to EN 397.
Suspension trauma (orthostatic shock)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › A documented rescue plan specific to the site must be in place before work begins. At least one trained rescuer capable of performing a rope rescue must be present on site at all times.
- › Rescue descender, spare rope, and first-aid kit must be rigged and ready for immediate deployment — not stored away. Rescue must be achievable within a defined time limit (typically 3–6 minutes).
- › Maintain continuous or regular communication between operatives and ground. Establish a check-in protocol so that an unresponsive operative triggers immediate rescue.
Equipment failure — rope and hardware
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Each operative must inspect all personal rope access equipment before every use, checking for cuts, abrasion, contamination, deformation, and correct function of mechanical devices.
- › All rope access equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at manufacturer-specified intervals and records maintained. Equipment outside its service life or with defects must be withdrawn.
- › Install suitable edge-protection sleeves, rope protectors, or edge rollers wherever ropes pass over a parapet, edge, or sharp protrusion to prevent cutting or abrasion damage.
Adverse weather conditions
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Define weather stop criteria in the method statement (e.g. sustained wind speed > 17 m/s, thunderstorm, ice or frost on surfaces). Suspend and descend when criteria are met.
- › Supervisor must check a reliable weather forecast at the start of each shift and monitor conditions throughout. A named person has authority to stop work.
- › In cold conditions, wear appropriate thermal underlayers and grip-enhancing gloves that are compatible with rope access equipment operation to prevent reduced dexterity.
Uncontrolled public access to work area
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use crowd-control barriers or Heras fencing, supplemented by high-visibility warning tape and clear signage, to physically prevent unauthorised entry into the exclusion zone.
- › Notify building management, occupants, and relevant local authority (if on a public highway) in advance. Agree access restrictions and communication channels.
- › Station a banksman at each access point to the exclusion zone to challenge and redirect members of the public or other personnel attempting to enter.
Competence and training deficiency
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › All rope access operatives must hold a current certificate from a recognised competency scheme (e.g. IRATA or SPRAT) appropriate to their role (Technician Level 1–3). Evidence must be verified before work commences.
- › A Level 3 (or equivalent) rope access supervisor must be present on site whenever rope access work is in progress, with responsibility for rigging inspection, supervision, and rescue.
- › Conduct a toolbox talk and site-specific briefing covering the method statement, RAMS, anchor points, rescue plan, and emergency contacts before work begins each day.
Slips and trips during rigging and ground preparation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect the roof or elevated working area before rigging to identify slip hazards (moss, standing water, fragile surfaces, rooflights) and trip hazards (cables, plant, pipework). Record findings and address prior to work.
- › Where operatives are working near unprotected edges during rigging, install temporary guardrails or use a short-anchor safety line to prevent an uncontrolled fall during the set-up phase.
- › Wear safety footwear with anti-slip, oil-resistant soles rated to EN ISO 20345 appropriate for the surface conditions encountered.
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
Competence
- ✓ IRATA-certified rope-access technicians at the correct level, with an IRATA Level 3 supervisor on site
- ✓ 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 rope access inspection 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 rope access inspection, 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 rope access inspection?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones. 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.