When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and tiling teams carrying out tile removal — 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 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
Remove wall/floor tiles — silica dust, noise and manual handling.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: Obtain and review the R&D asbestos survey, confirm COSHH assessments for adhesives and grouts, check the services detection survey results, and brief all operatives on the RAMS before any work begins.
- 2Isolate services: Lock off relevant electrical circuits using the permit-to-work system, isolate water and gas supplies to the work area, and confirm isolation with a CAT scan of all walls and floors to be worked on.
- 3Set up the work area: Erect dust-exclusion screens at all openings, establish a debris skip adjacent to the work area, position H-class vacuum extraction units, route tool cables overhead, and define a clearly marked safe walkway.
- 4Don all required PPE: Fit-tested FFP3 or half-face P3 respirator, safety goggles, cut-resistant gloves, hearing protection, safety boots and hard hat before entering the prepared work area.
- 5Trial removal: Remove a small section of tiles manually using chisels and hammer to assess substrate condition, identify any unexpected materials (ACM, services, voids), and stop immediately if asbestos-containing material is suspected.
- 6Tile removal — power tools: Using H-class vacuum-shrouded SDS hammer or multi-tool with LEV attached, systematically remove tiles working from top to bottom on walls and progressively across floors. Apply wet suppression where tooling generates visible dust despite LEV.
- 7Adhesive and substrate preparation: Remove residual adhesive using a low-vibration scraper or grinder with continuous H-class extraction. Check vibration exposure times against EAV limits and rotate operatives accordingly.
- 8Progressive debris clearance: Continuously collect tile shards into heavy-duty rubble sacks using dustpan and litter picker (not bare hands). Bag, label and remove waste to the designated skip regularly. Mop any wet areas promptly.
- 9Final clean and inspect: H-class vacuum the entire work area on completion. Remove dust-exclusion screens carefully, folding inwards to contain settled dust. Inspect substrate for damage or exposed services before handing over.
- 10Post-work decontamination: Remove PPE in the correct sequence (goggles, coverall, gloves, then respirator last), place disposable items in sealed waste bags, wash hands and face thoroughly before leaving the work area.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Silica dust inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where dust suppression and extraction cannot reduce exposure below the WEL for RCS (0.1 mg/m³ 8h TWA per EH40), wear a tight-fitting FFP3 disposable or half-mask respirator with P3 filter. RPE must be face-fit tested.
- › Where wet cutting is not practicable, use angle grinders or grinders fitted with H-class vacuum LEV attachment to capture dust at point of generation.
- › Apply water to tile surfaces before and during removal to suppress dust at source. Use wet-method tools where practicable.
- › Seal off the work zone from occupied areas using polythene screens. Provide forced-air ventilation to dilute residual airborne dust and prevent spread.
Adhesive and grout fume inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Review Safety Data Sheets for existing adhesives/grouts before work begins. Identify hazardous components and implement appropriate controls.
- › Ensure good natural or mechanical ventilation of the work area to dilute solvent or chemical fumes to safe levels.
- › Where solvent fumes are identified in the COSHH assessment, wear an appropriate half-face respirator with combined P3/organic vapour cartridge.
Asbestos exposure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Obtain a current Refurbishment & Demolition (R&D) asbestos survey for the area before any tile removal begins. Do not proceed without it.
- › If unexpected ACM (e.g. textured adhesive, vinyl floor tiles) is encountered, stop work immediately, isolate the area and contact a licensed asbestos contractor.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide and enforce use of EN352-rated ear defenders or plugs (minimum SNR 20 dB) in designated hearing protection zones and whenever upper action values may be exceeded.
- › Where practicable, use battery-powered or lower-noise tool variants and multi-tool oscillating systems rather than angle grinders to reduce noise at source.
- › Rotate operatives to limit individual daily noise exposure. Schedule noisy work in short bursts with rest periods away from the noise source.
- › Demarcate a noise exclusion zone and prevent entry of workers not directly involved in tile removal during high-noise activities.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide anti-vibration gloves as supplementary protection. Enrol regular users in a health surveillance programme (tingling/blanching questionnaire) if EAV is regularly approached.
- › Calculate daily vibration exposure (EAV/ELV) using manufacturer HAV data. Implement job rotation to limit individual exposure. Maintain exposure records for all operatives.
- › Select tools with the lowest vibration emission value capable of completing the task efficiently. Check manufacturer vibration data before use.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Ensure all operatives have received manual handling training covering safe lifting technique, load assessment, and recognition of when mechanical aids must be used.
- › Use wheeled skips, rubble chutes or mechanical handling equipment to move heavy debris rather than manual carrying where site layout permits.
- › Break debris into manageable loads using smaller containers. No individual load should exceed 25 kg for males or 16 kg for females without mechanical aid.
Cuts and lacerations from tile shards
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use heavy-duty rubble sacks and lidded skips placed adjacent to the work area. Clear shards progressively to prevent accumulation underfoot.
- › Train operatives never to brush tile shards with bare hands. Use a dustpan, brush and litter picker for small fragments.
- › Wear cut-resistant gloves (EN 388, minimum level C blade cut) and safety boots with reinforced toe cap and mid-sole protection at all times in the work area.
Slips and trips on debris
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Designate a debris-free walkway through the work area. Clear tile fragments and mop wet areas regularly throughout the shift.
- › Route power tool cables overhead or along walls using cable hangers. Do not allow cables to trail across walkways.
- › Wear safety boots with SRC-rated anti-slip soles at all times in the work area.
Accidental contact with concealed services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use a calibrated cable/pipe detector (CAT and Genny) to scan all walls and floors before commencing tile removal. Mark and avoid identified services.
- › Where possible, isolate and lock off electrical circuits and isolate water/gas supplies serving the work area before removal begins. Obtain permit to work if required.
- › Use 110 V centre-tapped-to-earth (CTE) or battery-powered tools to reduce severity of electrical contact risk during tile removal.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
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 tile removal 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 tile removal, 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 tile removal?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are the main ones, alongside Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, 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.