When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and steel erection teams carrying out structural steel erection — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised trades & finishing 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 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
Erect structural steel frame with lifting and work at height.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-start: Review and brief all operatives on the lift plan, erection sequence, temporary bracing scheme, exclusion zones and emergency procedures. Confirm all plant, lifting gear and PPE inspections are current.
- 2Site set-up: Establish pedestrian and plant segregation, erect exclusion zones beneath lift paths, position goal-post barriers near overhead hazards, and confirm ground bearing capacity for crane outrigger positions.
- 3Foundation and base plate check: Inspect holding-down bolts, base plates and grout for compliance with the engineer's drawings before any column is erected.
- 4Column erection: Crane-lift each column with rated slings as specified by the appointed person. Guide using taglines only; keep hands clear of base during landing. Plumb and brace column temporarily before slinging off.
- 5Beam and rafter installation: Lift beams to their connections with crane; erectors at elevated level to guide using taglines. Fit minimum two bolts per connection (one from each end) before crane releases load. Do not release the hook until connections are secure.
- 6Bolting up and alignment: Fully bolt up connections in the sequence specified by the structural engineer. Check plumb, level and diagonal measurements at each bay before advancing. Retain temporary bracing until permanent stability is confirmed.
- 7Permanent bracing installation: Install permanent cross-bracing, portal ties and purlins in accordance with the drawings and the engineer's sign-off for each erection stage before temporary works are removed.
- 8Progressive inspection: At each defined stage, the site responsible engineer or their delegate inspects and signs off the completed frame section before the next lift sequence commences.
- 9End-of-shift housekeeping and securing: Secure all partially erected members against wind load. Remove loose materials and tools from height. Lock out crane and plant. Inspect exclusion zones remain intact before leaving site.
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
- › Provide fully boarded, edge-protected working platforms (e.g. mobile elevating work platforms or scaffold) at all working levels before erectors work at height wherever practicable.
- › Develop a planned erection sequence by a competent structural engineer that minimises time spent working at height and ensures members are stable before connectors are released.
- › Where collective protection cannot be provided, erectors must wear a full-body harness with inertia-reel lanyard anchored to a pre-engineered anchor point. Rescue plan must be in place before work begins.
Struck by suspended load
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish and enforce a clearly marked exclusion zone beneath and around every lift. No personnel permitted under a suspended load at any time.
- › All lifts to be planned by a competent appointed person. Slinging, signalling and supervision to be carried out only by certificated riggers and slingers using rated, inspected lifting gear.
- › Use fibre taglines of adequate length to control orientation of lifted members from ground level, keeping personnel away from the swing arc.
Collapse of partially erected frame
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A structural engineer must design and specify temporary bracing requirements for each erection stage. Bracing must not be removed until the permanent structure is stable at that stage.
- › Each erection stage to be checked and signed off by the site responsible engineer before advancing to the next stage or removing temporary works.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Carry out a manual handling assessment for all formwork components. Implement team lifts and handling aids (trolleys, panel grips) where mechanical handling is not possible. Operative training in safe handling techniques required.
- › Use crane, telehandler or pallet truck to move steel components to point of use. Limit manual carrying to items below 25 kg where mechanical aid is not practicable.
- › Wear suitable anti-vibration, cut-resistant gloves when handling steel sections, sharp edges and connection bolts.
Falling objects — tools and materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish barriers and exclusion zones beneath all elevated work areas. Use fans or debris netting where overhead work cannot be restricted to an exclusion zone.
- › All hand tools used at height to be secured with tool lanyards. Bolts and fixings to be carried in closed bolt bags and not placed loosely on steel members.
- › All personnel in the steel erection zone to wear a Class EN 397 safety helmet at all times. Consider chin straps where there is risk of helmet displacement at height.
Crane/plant collision and overrun
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Segregate pedestrian and plant routes with physical barriers. Establish one-way systems and banksman-controlled crossing points. Positions to be reviewed as the frame progresses.
- › A certificated banksman must control all crane movements. Ground workers must not enter the operating radius of any plant without communicating directly with the operator.
Overhead power line contact
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Arrange for the distribution network operator to divert or de-energise overhead lines before erection commences within the safe clearance distance. This is the preferred option.
- › Where diversion is not practicable, erect physical goal-post barriers at safe approach distances approved by the network operator and display warning signage.
- › The appointed person's lift plan must identify overhead line positions, safe approach distances and no-fly zones. Briefed to all crane operators and riggers before lifting commences.
Slips, trips and falls at ground level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Implement a daily and end-of-shift housekeeping routine to clear steel offcuts, packaging and trip hazards from working areas. Designate stacking zones away from access routes.
- › All workers in the erection zone to wear steel-toecap, midsole-protected, anti-slip safety boots compliant with EN ISO 20345.
Noise — grinding and power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify lower-noise tools (e.g. battery torque wrenches rather than impact drivers) where technically equivalent. Evaluate noise emissions at procurement stage.
- › Carry out a noise risk assessment. Rotate workers to limit daily personal noise exposure below 85 dB(A) LEP,d action value. Mark hearing protection zones with signage.
- › Provide EN 352-compliant hearing protection rated to reduce exposure below 85 dB(A) at the ear. Mandatory in designated hearing protection zones.
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
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
Competence
- ✓ 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
- › Hand and power tools appropriate to the trade
- › 110V or battery power supplies
- › Dust extraction for cutting and sanding
- › Mixing equipment with splash protection
- › Access steps or podiums
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Dust controls for cutting and sanding
- ✓ Coordination with other trades in the same area
- ✓ COSHH for adhesives, paints and solvents
- ✓ 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 structural steel erection 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 structural steel erection, 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 structural steel erection?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. 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.