When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and rope access teams carrying out rope access work positioning — 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
1
Scope of works
IRATA rope-access work positioning on two-rope systems, including rescue.
2
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-mobilisation: Review and sign off the task-specific RAMS. Verify all operatives hold current IRATA qualifications at the required level. Check weather forecast and confirm conditions are within stop-work thresholds. Confirm rescue plan is in place and rescue equipment is available.
- 2Site setup and exclusion zone: Establish and secure the exclusion zone below and around the work area using barriers, cones, and signage. Appoint a ground controller. Notify client, site manager, and any affected third parties. Implement traffic management or pedestrian diversion if required.
- 3Anchor point inspection and rigging: Competent person (minimum IRATA Level 2 or structural engineer where needed) inspects and confirms suitability of all anchor points. Rig both working line and safety line to independent, rated anchors. Install rope edge protection at all contact points. IRATA Level 3 Supervisor approves rig before use.
- 4Equipment pre-use inspection: Each operative inspects their full harness, both ropes, descender, ascenders, connectors, and any other life-safety equipment using a visual and tactile check. Any defective item is removed from service, tagged, and quarantined. Record inspections in the equipment register.
- 5Toolbox talk and briefing: IRATA Level 3 Supervisor conducts a site-specific toolbox talk covering anchor locations, identified hazards, rope-run contact points, emergency signals, rescue plan, suspension trauma awareness, and communication protocols. All attendees sign the briefing record.
- 6Connection and access: Operatives connect to both working line and safety line before moving to the working position. A buddy check (peer inspection of connections) is carried out. Operatives descend or ascend to the work position using correct IRATA technique, maintaining three points of contact where appropriate.
- 7Work at position: Operative works from the correctly positioned two-rope system using footwork and positioning aids to remain active and minimise static suspension. All tools are attached via tool lanyards. Ground controller maintains continuous monitoring and communication with operative. Supervisor monitors operations from accessible position.
- 8Transfer and movement: Passage past rebelays, deviations, or change of rope runs is carried out following IRATA passing techniques ensuring the operative remains attached to both lines at all times during the transfer.
- 9Rescue readiness: Rescue equipment remains pre-rigged or immediately accessible throughout operations. Rescue operative remains on standby. If an operative becomes incapacitated, the rescue plan is initiated immediately targeting relief of suspension within 6 minutes. Emergency services (999) are called without delay.
- 10De-rig and post-work checks: On completion of work, operatives ascend or descend safely to the access/egress point. All equipment is de-rigged, inspected, and returned to the equipment bag. Anchors are checked for damage. Any defects, incidents, or near-misses are reported and recorded. Exclusion zone is removed only after all operatives are safely at ground level.
3
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Always rig and use a separate working line and safety (backup) line simultaneously in accordance with IRATA International Code of Practice, so that failure of one line does not result in a fall.
- › All anchor points (natural, built-in, or temporary) must be inspected and confirmed adequate by a competent person (minimum IRATA Level 2 or structural engineer where required) before use. Minimum anchor strength of 12 kN per rope as per IRATA standards.
- › All ropes, connectors, descenders, ascenders, harnesses, and anchors must be visually and tactile inspected by the user before each use and formally inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 6 months.
- › Operative must wear a correctly fitted CE/UKCA-marked full-body harness connected to both the working line and safety line at all times while at height.
Failure to execute rescue
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › A site-specific rescue plan must be prepared before work begins. At least one IRATA Level 2 (or above) operative trained in rope access rescue must be present on site whenever rope access work is in progress, with rescue equipment pre-rigged or immediately accessible.
- › Rescue ropes, pulleys, and medical equipment (first aid kit, emergency oxygen if trained) must be positioned at the work area ready for immediate deployment. A rescue must be achievable within a maximum of 6 minutes to prevent suspension trauma.
- › Minimum team of two IRATA-qualified operatives working together, maintaining visual or voice contact at all times so that an alert can be raised without delay.
Suspension trauma
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Rescue plan must target relief of suspension within 6 minutes of incapacitation. Recovery position must be adopted immediately on rescue and emergency services called. Team briefed on suspension trauma recognition and first aid.
- › Operatives must use correct work-positioning technique to remain active and use footwork/positioning aids (e.g. foot loops, edges) to avoid prolonged inactive suspension in the harness.
- › All rope access personnel and on-site supervisors must be briefed on the signs, symptoms, and first-aid response for suspension trauma as part of pre-work briefing.
Falling objects
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a demarcated exclusion zone directly below and around the working area using barriers and signage to prevent people from entering the drop zone.
- › All hand tools must be attached to the operative or tool bag via rated tool lanyards. No loose items to be carried at height. Tool bags must be clipped to the rope system or structure.
- › All persons within or entering the work area below rope access operations must wear a CE/UKCA-marked safety helmet.
Rope and equipment damage
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Install rope protectors, edge rollers, or padding at all surfaces where ropes contact sharp or abrasive edges. Identify and manage all rope-run contact points during rigging.
- › Maintain a written equipment register recording manufacture date, first use, inspection history, and retirement criteria for every item of life-safety equipment. Retire any item showing damage, chemical contamination, or approaching end-of-life.
- › Ensure ropes and equipment are kept away from acids, solvents, strong alkalis, and heat sources on facade and structure work. Tag and quarantine any equipment suspected of chemical exposure.
Adverse weather
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish pre-agreed weather thresholds in the RAMS (e.g. sustained wind speed above Beaufort scale 5 / 29 km/h, lightning within 5 km, icy conditions). Suspend work immediately if thresholds are breached. Supervisor has authority and duty to stop work.
- › Check weather forecasts before each shift using a reliable service. Assign a responsible person to monitor conditions continuously during the working day.
Inadequate competence and supervision
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › All rope access operatives must hold a current, in-date IRATA International qualification at the appropriate level for their role (Level 1 under supervision of Level 3; Level 3 supervising). Certificates to be checked and copies retained on site.
- › An IRATA Level 3 Technician must be present on site to supervise all rope access operations, conduct toolbox talks, approve rigging, and authorise commencement of work.
- › All operatives to receive a site-specific RAMS briefing and toolbox talk before starting work, covering anchor locations, hazards, rescue plan, emergency contacts, and communication signals.
Proximity to live traffic or public
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where work is above or adjacent to public routes, implement formal temporary traffic management or pedestrian diversion in accordance with Chapter 8 or local authority requirements. Coordinate with client and highways authority as necessary.
- › Install proprietary debris netting or catch fans below the working zone where exclusion of the public cannot be fully guaranteed.
- › Appoint a designated ground controller to manage the exclusion zone, communicate with the operative, and prevent unauthorised access during all rope access operations.
Manual handling of rope access equipment
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where practicable, select lightweight and modular equipment to reduce individual load weights. Use haul lines and mechanical assistance to move equipment to the working position.
- › Assess all manual handling tasks during pre-task planning. Use two-person team lifts for items over 20 kg or where posture is awkward. Avoid handling heavy loads near edge or at height wherever possible.
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
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
5
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.
6
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
7
Permits & legislation
Work at Height Regulations 2005Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
8
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.
9
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a rope access work positioning 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 work positioning, 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 work positioning?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones. 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.
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.