When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and scaffolding teams carrying out staircase access tower — 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
Erect a staircase/access tower for safe site access at height.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Conduct a risk assessment and review the manufacturer's erection manual. Confirm ground conditions, overhead services, exclusion zones and tie anchor points. Ensure all operatives hold current PASMA or equivalent training.
- 2Site preparation: Establish a signed and barricaded exclusion zone beneath and around the erection area. Lay sole boards on firm, level ground. Position materials and equipment for efficient handling, minimising manual carry distances.
- 3Base assembly: Install adjustable base plates onto sole boards and level accurately. Erect the first lift of standards, ledgers and transoms in accordance with the manufacturer's erection sequence. Confirm plumb and level before proceeding.
- 4Staircase unit installation: Fit the proprietary staircase flights and landings at the specified lift heights as per the design drawing. Ensure stair treads lock securely and handrails are fitted to both sides before any person uses them.
- 5Progressive guarding: Before advancing to each subsequent lift, confirm that guardrails (top rail minimum 950 mm, mid-rail and toe board) are fully installed on the level below. No platform is to be occupied without edge protection in place.
- 6Tying and bracing: Tie the tower to the adjacent structure at the intervals specified in the design or manufacturer's guidance. Fit all required cross and plan bracing. Check all couplers are fully tightened.
- 7Completion inspection: A competent person carries out a thorough pre-use inspection — checking plumb, ties, bracing, platform boards, guardrails, stair fixings and load-bearing components. Record findings on an inspection report.
- 8Handover and signage: Display a scaffold handover tag or inspection certificate at the base of the tower confirming it is safe to use and stating the safe working load. Brief site users on correct use, prohibited actions and the reporting of defects.
- 9Ongoing inspection and maintenance: Inspect the tower at least every 7 days, after adverse weather and after any impact or alteration. Keep records. Remove the handover tag and restrict access immediately if any defect is found until remediated.
- 10Dismantling: Reverse the erection sequence as specified by the manufacturer. Clear platforms of materials before dismantling each lift. Maintain the exclusion zone throughout. Lower components using mechanical aids where possible.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height during erection
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Erect the tower strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's or supplier's documented erection sequence to ensure each working level is guarded before the next is built.
- › Ensure guardrails and toe boards are fitted to each platform before it is occupied. Collective protection takes priority over personal protective equipment.
- › All persons erecting, altering or dismantling the access tower must hold a current PASMA certificate or equivalent recognised training.
- › Where brief unavoidable exposure to unguarded edges cannot be engineered out, operatives must wear a suitable fall-arrest harness anchored to a secure point, in addition to a helmet.
Structural instability of tower
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A competent person must inspect the completed tower before it is handed over for use, checking plumb, all couplers, base plates, tie schedule and bracing against the design drawing.
- › Tie the tower to the adjacent structure at the specified intervals stated in the design or manufacturer's guidance to prevent overturning.
- › Use adjustable base plates on sole boards of adequate size to distribute load on all ground conditions. Level the tower using the base plates — never use packing materials.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide suitable work gloves (EN 388) to protect hands from cuts, abrasion and vibration when handling tubes and couplers.
- › Use gin wheels, material hoists or cranes to raise heavy or bulky components where practicable, eliminating the need for manual carrying at height.
- › Conduct a manual handling assessment. Break loads into manageable pieces. Use team lifts for items exceeding individual capability; brief operatives on safe lifting technique.
Falling objects striking persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish a clearly signed and physically barricaded exclusion zone under and around the tower erection area. No unauthorised persons permitted beneath.
- › Install toe boards (minimum 150 mm high) on all working platforms to prevent tools and materials rolling off edges.
- › Attach tool lanyards to frequently used hand tools when working at height to prevent dropped tools.
- › All persons on and around the site must wear a safety helmet meeting EN 397 while erection or dismantling is in progress.
Slips and trips on scaffold platforms and stair treads
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use proprietary anti-slip stair treads and ensure scaffold boards are close-boarded with no gaps greater than 25 mm. Inspect and replace damaged boards before use.
- › Keep all platforms and stair landings free of tools, off-cuts and debris. Designate a materials storage area away from pedestrian routes.
- › All operatives and tower users must wear safety footwear (EN ISO 20345 S1P minimum) with slip-resistant soles.
Contact with overhead services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Site the access tower away from any overhead electrical services. Where this cannot be achieved, contact the network operator to have lines made dead or diverted before work starts.
- › If proximity to overhead lines is unavoidable, obtain a permit to work and maintain minimum safe approach distances as agreed with the network operator. Erect goal post barriers.
- › Appoint a dedicated banksman to monitor proximity to services and instruct operatives to stop work immediately if safe distances are at risk of being breached.
Adverse weather conditions
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Monitor weather forecasts daily. Suspend erection and use when wind speed exceeds the manufacturer's maximum stated limit (typically Beaufort Scale 6 / 25 mph). Re-inspect after severe weather before resuming use.
- › If a period of high winds or severe weather is forecast, consider dismantling the tower or securing it with additional ties. Remove loose materials from platforms.
Unauthorised or untrained use of tower
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › The tower must not be opened for general use until a formal handover inspection has been completed and a signed scaffold tag or handover certificate is displayed confirming it is safe to use.
- › Include correct use of the staircase access tower (permitted loads, no alterations, reporting defects) in site induction and relevant toolbox talks.
- › Inspect the tower at least every 7 days and after any event that may have affected its integrity. Record inspections. Only a competent person may authorise continued use.
Ground conditions and foundation failure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Assess ground conditions prior to erection. Identify underground voids, drainage runs or soft spots. Do not erect on ground that cannot adequately support the imposed loads.
- › Place suitable sole boards (minimum 35 mm thick, adequate area) under all base plates to spread the load, particularly on soft or made-up ground.
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
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 staircase access tower 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 staircase access tower, 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 staircase access tower?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. 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.