When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and decorating teams carrying out wallpapering — 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
- ✓ 8 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
Strip and hang wallpaper including paste and access.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: review asbestos register, obtain SDS for all paste and stripping products, complete COSHH assessment, check electrical drawings and inspect access equipment. Confirm scope with site manager.
- 2Set up and segregate work area: erect barriers, lay non-slip dust sheets, ensure adequate ventilation (open windows/doors), isolate electrical circuits where wet work will occur near fittings.
- 3Stripping old wallpaper: use steam stripper or wet-spray method to dampen existing paper, strip carefully using a broad scraper, collect arisings into sacks immediately to keep floor clear. Wear gloves and eye protection; fit FFP2 mask if dust is generated.
- 4Surface preparation: inspect stripped substrate for damage, loose plaster or asbestos-suspect materials. Make good with filler as needed. Size or prime the wall in accordance with adhesive manufacturer's instructions. Wear gloves.
- 5Set up pasting table close to the working wall to minimise carrying. Mix paste to manufacturer's specification in a half-filled bucket to reduce manual handling weight. Do not overfill paste buckets.
- 6Set out and mark plumb lines using a spirit level to ensure straight first drop. Cut wallpaper lengths on the pasting table, booking (folding paste to paste) where required by manufacturer.
- 7Hang wallpaper: using podium step or hop-up platform (preferred) for high sections, carefully position and smooth each length from top to bottom, butt-joining seams. Maintain three-point contact if using a stepladder.
- 8Trim excess at ceiling, skirting and architrave using a sharp trimming knife and straight edge; collect trimmings immediately. Wipe excess paste from surfaces and floor immediately to prevent slip hazard.
- 9Inspect finished work, remove all equipment, dust sheets and debris. Reinstate any isolated electrical circuits only after confirmation from a competent electrician. Remove barriers and inform occupants that the area is available.
- 10Dispose of waste paste, packaging and stripping arisings in accordance with site waste management plan. Clean tools and return access equipment to storage. Review any near-misses or issues with supervisor.
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, Members of the public
- › Redesign work sequence to minimise high-level access; consider whether wall sections above 2 m can be reached by alternative means before accepting ladder use.
- › Provide a podium step or low-level platform with guardrails in preference to stepladders to give a stable, guarded working surface.
- › Where stepladders are the only practicable option, inspect before use, ensure fully open and on firm level surface, maintain three points of contact and do not overreach.
- › Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles when using access equipment.
Slips and trips on wet floors
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Operatives to wipe up any paste or water drips from floor surfaces immediately using absorbent cloths; do not allow paste to dry on hard floors.
- › Cover working area floor with taped-down non-slip dust sheets to protect flooring and reduce slip risk from drips.
- › Use barrier tape or temporary screens to prevent building users or other trades from passing through the wet working area.
- › Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles rated to appropriate standard.
Hazardous substance exposure — wallpaper paste
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where possible, select paste products with minimal or no fungicide/solvent content and review SDS to choose the lowest-hazard option suitable for the substrate.
- › Obtain and review Safety Data Sheets for all adhesives, primers and stripping agents; complete a COSHH assessment before use and communicate findings to operatives.
- › Ensure natural or mechanical ventilation is maintained in the room during paste mixing and application to prevent build-up of vapours or airborne particles.
- › Wear nitrile or equivalent chemical-resistant gloves and safety spectacles when mixing or applying adhesive or chemical stripping agents.
Manual handling — rolls and equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Order wallpaper in manageable quantities per trip; do not carry more than two rolls at a time; use smaller paste buckets (half-fill rather than full).
- › Set up pasting table and materials near the working wall to minimise carrying distances and awkward postures.
- › Operatives to use correct lifting technique (bent knees, straight back, load close to body); team-lift heavy rolls or equipment where required.
Dust from dry stripping old wallpaper
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a garden spray, steam stripper or sponge to thoroughly dampen old wallpaper before stripping to suppress airborne dust at source.
- › Open windows and doors to dilute any residual dust during stripping; avoid recirculating air into occupied adjacent spaces.
- › Where dry dust cannot be fully suppressed, wear an FFP2 (or higher) filtering face piece respirator.
Asbestos-containing materials in older substrates
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Before commencing strip work, review the building's asbestos register or commission a refurbishment/demolition survey if no register exists. Do not proceed if asbestos-containing materials may be disturbed without licensed or notifiable work arrangements.
- › If operatives encounter material suspected to contain asbestos (fibrous, crumbly textured coatings etc.), cease work immediately, segregate the area and notify the responsible person/supervisor.
Electric shock from concealed wiring or sockets
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where steam strippers or wet stripping is used adjacent to sockets, switches or light fittings, arrange for a competent electrician to isolate relevant circuits and lock off before work begins.
- › Use a cable avoidance tool (CAT scanner) to detect concealed cables before drilling any fixing into walls for battens, rails or hooks.
- › All electrical tools including steam strippers must be connected via a 30 mA RCD or RCD adaptor to provide fast disconnection in the event of fault.
- › Where circuits cannot be fully isolated and wet work must continue, use insulating rubber gloves rated to appropriate voltage.
Public interface — occupied building
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect physical barriers (hoarding, signage or temporary screens) to prevent unauthorised entry to the work area during all stages of the task.
- › Inform building manager and occupants of work locations, timing and any temporary restrictions; agree access routes that avoid the work zone.
- › Where strong-smelling adhesives or steam stripping is required, schedule activities during low-occupancy periods and ensure ventilation before areas are re-occupied.
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
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ 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 wallpapering 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 wallpapering, 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 wallpapering?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are the main ones, alongside Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3. 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.