When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and scaffolding teams carrying out scaffold inspection & handover — 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
Inspect, tag and hand over scaffold before third-party use.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-inspection planning: confirm the inspector is competent (e.g. CISRS-qualified or equivalent), obtain the scaffold design brief/loading specification, check weather forecast and ensure site manager is informed of the inspection.
- 2Restrict access: place 'Do Not Use' tags at all access points and erect ground-level barriers. Coordinate with the site manager to suspend plant movement near the scaffold footprint.
- 3Ground-level visual inspection: walk the full perimeter at ground level, checking foundations, base plates, sole boards, standards, ledgers, bracing, ties and toe boards from below before accessing the structure.
- 4Access ladder check: inspect each access ladder for damage, correct angle, secure lashing and adequate extension above landing. Confirm trapdoors are fitted and operational before ascending.
- 5Lift-by-lift platform inspection: ascend systematically, confirming at each lift that boards are undamaged, correctly overlapped and secured, gaps are within tolerance, guardrails and toe boards are present and at correct height, and that no unauthorised alterations have been made.
- 6Tie and stability check: verify all ties are present, correctly spaced per the design, undamaged and not overloaded. Check all joints, couplers and ledger bracing for security and corrosion.
- 7Load classification and signage: confirm the scaffold is suitable for its intended load class. Attach load class and restriction notices at all access points in addition to the inspection tag.
- 8Record findings: complete the scaffold inspection record, noting any defects found, remedial actions taken or outstanding, the load class, intended use, date of inspection and next scheduled inspection date. Retain records on site.
- 9Defect resolution: if any significant defect is identified, maintain the 'Do Not Use' tag, arrange remedial works by competent scaffolders, and re-inspect before handover. Do not hand over a scaffold with outstanding safety-critical defects.
- 10Formal handover: replace the 'Do Not Use' tag with a green 'Passed for Use' tag. Issue the signed handover certificate to the receiving party, brief them on load restrictions, prohibited alterations and the process for reporting damage or further modifications.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height during inspection
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Conduct an initial visual inspection from ground level before accessing the scaffold to identify obvious deficiencies such as missing boards, incomplete guardrails or structural instability before committing to access.
- › Confirm that all working platforms have a minimum 950mm top guardrail, intermediate guardrail and toe board in place before the inspector proceeds onto that lift.
- › Inspections must be conducted solely by a competent person with suitable training and experience (e.g. CISRS-qualified scaffolder or appointed inspector). Untrained personnel must not access the scaffold for inspection purposes.
- › Wear a safety helmet at all times. Where collective protection cannot be confirmed before access (e.g. inspection of an incomplete scaffold), a fall-arrest harness attached to a suitable anchor must be worn.
Scaffold structural failure during inspection
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Follow a documented checklist (e.g. HSE scaffolding inspection checklist) covering standards, ledgers, transoms, ties, bracing, base plates and foundations before committing weight to each bay.
- › Ensure the scaffold bears a 'Do Not Use' tag before inspection commences so no other workers load the structure simultaneously during the inspection process.
- › Only the inspector (and one assistant if required) accesses the scaffold during the inspection phase. No materials, plant or additional workers to be present, minimising dynamic loading.
Slip or trip on scaffold boards
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Inspect all boards for damage, rot, splitting, excessive deflection or gaps greater than 25mm before walking the platform. Remove or replace defective boards before accessing that platform.
- › Remove loose debris, standing water, ice or mud from boards before the inspection walkover. Schedule inspections to avoid icy or extremely wet conditions where practicable.
- › Wear safety boots with anti-slip, oil-resistant soles (to EN ISO 20345) providing good grip on wet or uneven scaffold boards.
Falling objects striking persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish a clearly demarcated exclusion zone beneath the work area using barriers and signage. Maintain for the full duration of overhead work.
- › Use tool lanyards, pouches or a tool bag for all items taken to height. Do not carry loose items such as pens, phones or clipboards without retaining them securely.
- › All persons within the scaffold footprint or potential drop zone must wear a safety helmet to EN 397.
Unauthorised use before handover
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Lock off, board across or remove access ladders to all lifts until the inspection is complete and the scaffold has been formally handed over. Use barriers at base with clear signage.
- › Display a red 'Do Not Use' tag at all access points during erection and inspection. Replace with a green 'Passed for Use' tag only upon successful inspection and completion of the handover documentation.
- › Complete and sign a scaffold handover certificate (noting load class, intended use, restrictions and next inspection date) before communicating to the receiving party that the scaffold is available for use.
Access ladder hazard
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Inspect each access ladder for damaged rungs, stiles, fixings or lashing before use. Ladders must be tied top and bottom, rise through openings with trapdoors, and extend at least 1m above the landing point.
- › Maintain three points of contact when ascending and descending ladders. Do not carry items in hands; use a tool bag on a shoulder or a hoist for equipment.
Manual handling of inspection equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Limit the weight and number of items taken to height. Use a digital inspection app instead of paper files where possible. Pre-position equipment at each lift rather than carrying all items simultaneously.
- › Use a purpose-designed, balanced tool bag or vest so loads are distributed evenly across the body and do not impair balance on ladders or platforms.
Adjacent plant and vehicle movement
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Coordinate with the site manager to suspend or redirect plant and vehicle movements in the immediate vicinity of the scaffold during the inspection period.
- › Wear a high-visibility vest (EN ISO 20471 Class 2 minimum) to ensure the inspector is visible to plant operators at all times during ground-level inspection activities.
Adverse weather during inspection
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Do not commence or continue at-height inspection activities when wind speeds exceed 17 mph (Force 5), during electrical storms, heavy rain reducing visibility or when boards are iced. Reschedule to safe conditions.
- › Check weather forecast before inspection. Agree a site-specific threshold with the site manager and a clear stop-work trigger if conditions deteriorate during the inspection.
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
- ✓ CISRS-carded scaffolders and a competent scaffold supervisor
- ✓ 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 scaffold inspection & handover 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 scaffold inspection & handover, 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 scaffold inspection & handover?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. 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.