RAMS for Plumbers: What Should Be Included?

Quick Answer

Plumbing RAMS should identify the significant hazards associated with the specific plumbing work and explain how the job will be carried out safely.

They should consider factors such as service isolation, existing pipework and services, gas work where applicable, hot works, tools and equipment, drilling and cutting, hazardous substances, manual handling, access and anyone who could be affected by the work.

For businesses carrying out heating and gas work, the RAMS may also need to address gas isolation, boiler servicing or repairs, gas pipework, potential gas releases, combustion risks, testing and recommissioning.

Most importantly, the RAMS should reflect the actual job being undertaken.

A bathroom installation, boiler service and commercial pipework alteration may all involve plumbing or heating work, but the hazards and control measures can be very different.

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What Are Plumbing RAMS?

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement.

For plumbing work, the Risk Assessment identifies the significant hazards, who could be harmed and the measures needed to control those risks.

The Method Statement explains how the work will be carried out safely and in what sequence.

Together, they provide plumbers, heating engineers, supervisors, clients and other contractors with a clear plan for the work.

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Do Plumbers Need RAMS?

There isn't a blanket legal requirement for every plumber to have a document specifically called "RAMS".

However, employers and those responsible for work must assess and manage health and safety risks.

Clients, principal contractors and larger construction sites may also require suitable RAMS before plumbing or heating work begins.

Where specialist work such as gas work is involved, additional legal and competence requirements apply.

Gas work must only be carried out by someone who is competent and appropriately Gas Safe registered for the type of gas work being undertaken.

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What Should Plumbing RAMS Include?

The exact content depends on the job, but plumbing RAMS may need to consider:

• Isolation of water and other relevant services

• Gas isolation where applicable

• Existing pipework and services

• Gas appliances and pipework

• Gas leaks and uncontrolled releases

• Combustion and carbon monoxide risks

• Boiler servicing, repairs and replacement where applicable

• Hot water and pressurised systems

• Hot works where applicable

• Drilling, cutting and construction dust

• Power and hand tools

• Hazardous substances

• Manual handling

• Work at height

• Access and egress

• Slips caused by water or leaks

• Occupants, other trades and members of the public

• Suitable PPE

• Testing and commissioning

• Emergency arrangements

Not every hazard belongs in every plumbing RAMS document.

The assessment should be based on what is actually happening on the job.

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Service Isolation

Isolation should be properly considered before work begins.

Depending on the job, this could involve water, electricity, gas or other services associated with the equipment being worked on.

The RAMS should identify the relevant services and explain how they will be made safe before work starts.

Simply writing "isolate services" may not provide enough information for the planned work.

Consider:

• What needs to be isolated?

• Where is the isolation point?

• How will the isolation be secured where necessary?

• How will the system be checked before work starts?

• Could another person restore the service?

• Are there multiple sources or supplies?

The exact arrangements should reflect the system being worked on.

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Gas Work, Boiler Servicing and Repairs

Where plumbing or heating work involves gas appliances or gas systems, additional hazards and legal requirements apply.

Gas work must only be carried out by someone who is competent and appropriately Gas Safe registered for the type of work being undertaken.

This could include:

• Gas boiler servicing

• Boiler repairs

• Boiler replacement

• Gas appliance installation

• Gas pipework alterations

• Gas isolation and reconnection

• Testing following gas work

The RAMS should reflect the actual gas work being carried out and the isolation arrangements required for that job.

Where gas needs to be isolated, the method of work should consider:

• Identifying the correct gas supply and isolation point

• Safely isolating the supply before relevant work begins

• Preventing unintended operation or interference

• Ventilation requirements

• Potential gas leaks or releases

• Combustion and carbon monoxide risks

• Testing and safety checks before returning the appliance or system to service

• Emergency arrangements if gas is detected or a leak is suspected

The exact controls and testing requirements will depend on the appliance, installation and work being undertaken.

RAMS do not replace the technical procedures, competence or Gas Safe registration required to carry out gas work.

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Existing Pipework and Services

Plumbers and heating engineers frequently work around existing electrical cables, gas pipes, water supplies, drainage and other building services.

Drilling or cutting into walls and floors can therefore introduce additional risks.

Before intrusive work begins, the location of relevant services should be considered and suitable precautions taken.

The RAMS should reflect the actual building and work area rather than assuming the area is clear.

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Hot Works

Some plumbing and heating work may involve soldering, brazing or other activities capable of creating heat, sparks or flame.

Where hot works are required, the risks should be assessed and appropriate controls identified.

Depending on the work and location, considerations may include:

• Combustible materials

• Fire detection systems

• Suitable fire-fighting equipment

• Protection of surrounding surfaces

• Ventilation

• Hot-work permit requirements

• Checking the area after work is completed

Hot works shouldn't automatically appear in every plumbing RAMS document if the planned method doesn't involve them.

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Drilling, Cutting and Dust

Plumbing work can involve drilling or cutting concrete, brick, mortar, tiles and other building materials.

Some of these activities can produce hazardous dust.

The RAMS should consider the material being worked on, the equipment being used and how exposure will be controlled.

Suitable controls could include dust extraction, water suppression or other appropriate measures depending on the task and material.

Simply providing a dust mask should not automatically be treated as the first or only control.

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Leaks, Water and Slips

Water released during plumbing work can create additional hazards.

A leak may cause:

• Slippery floors

• Damage to electrical equipment

• Damage to the building

• Exposure of occupants or other workers

• Uncontrolled discharge of hot water

The method of work should consider how systems will be drained where necessary and how unexpected leaks or releases will be managed.

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Need RAMS for Your Next Plumbing or Heating Job?

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Hazardous Substances and COSHH

Plumbers and heating engineers may use products such as:

• Sealants and adhesives

• Cleaning products

• Solvent-based products

• Fluxes

• Jointing compounds

• Water-treatment chemicals

Where hazardous substances are used, the risks should be assessed and suitable controls identified.

The product, method of use and potential exposure should be considered rather than simply adding "COSHH" to the RAMS.

Where required, a separate COSHH assessment may also be needed.

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Manual Handling

Plumbing and heating work can involve moving awkward or heavy equipment and materials.

This could include:

• Boilers

• Radiators

• Baths and sanitaryware

• Cylinders

• Pumps

• Pipework and materials

The RAMS should consider how these items will actually be moved, particularly where stairs, restricted access or confined work areas are involved.

Where appropriate, mechanical assistance or team lifting should be considered rather than relying solely on individual lifting.

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Working in Occupied Properties

Plumbers and heating engineers often work in homes, offices and other buildings that remain occupied.

The RAMS should consider how the work could affect:

• Residents

• Employees

• Clients

• Children

• Visitors

• Other contractors

Controls could include restricting access to the work area, managing tools and materials, controlling dust and ensuring services aren't unexpectedly restored or used during the work.

For gas work, consideration should also be given to how occupants will be protected while appliances or supplies are isolated, tested or returned to service.

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Testing and Commissioning

Completing the installation or repair isn't necessarily the end of the job.

Where applicable, the Method Statement should explain how the system will be tested, checked and safely returned to service.

Depending on the work, this could include:

• Checking for water leaks

• Testing relevant components

• Gas safety checks and testing where applicable

• Checking correct appliance operation

• Recommissioning the appliance or system

• Completing final safety checks

• Confirming the work area is safe before handover

The exact testing and commissioning process should reflect the installation and work undertaken.

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What Should a Plumbing Method Statement Explain?

The Method Statement should clearly explain how the planned work will be carried out.

Depending on the job, this could include:

• Arrival and site preparation

• Establishing the work area

• Identifying existing services

• Isolating relevant services

• Isolating the gas supply where applicable

• Draining the system where required

• Removing existing equipment

• Servicing or repairing an appliance where applicable

• Preparing the installation area

• Installing pipework and equipment

• Carrying out hot works where required

• Making connections

• Testing and commissioning

• Gas safety checks and testing where applicable

• Recommissioning the appliance or system

• Reinstating other services

• Checking for leaks

• Removing waste

• Final safety checks

• Leaving the work area safe

The sequence should reflect the actual job rather than being copied from an unrelated plumbing or heating project.

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Should Plumbing RAMS Be Job-Specific?

Yes.

Consider three contractors carrying out plumbing or heating work.

One might be installing a bathroom in an empty domestic property.

Another could be altering pipework in an operational commercial building containing employees, electrical equipment and multiple services.

A third could be servicing or repairing a gas boiler in an occupied home.

All three fall broadly within plumbing or heating work, but the hazards, isolation requirements, people at risk and control measures could be very different.

That's why RAMS should be built around the actual job.

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Can You Use the Same Plumbing RAMS for Every Job?

Previous RAMS can provide useful information, but they shouldn't simply be reused without checking whether they're suitable.

Before starting a new plumbing or heating job, consider:

• What work is being carried out?

• What services need to be isolated?

• Does the work involve gas?

• What existing services are present?

• Will hot works be required?

• Will drilling or cutting create dust?

• What tools and equipment will be used?

• What materials or substances are involved?

• Who could be affected by the work?

• How will the installation or appliance be tested?

• How will services be safely reinstated?

• What controls will actually be used?

If the job changes, the RAMS may need to change too.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do plumbers need a Risk Assessment?

Where plumbing work creates health and safety risks, those risks need to be suitably assessed and controlled.

Do plumbing RAMS need to include isolation?

Where services need to be isolated to carry out the work safely, the RAMS should reflect the isolation arrangements relevant to that particular job.

Does plumbing RAMS cover gas boiler work?

It can, where gas work forms part of the job.

The RAMS should identify the hazards and safe method relevant to the specific work, such as gas isolation, boiler servicing, repairs, testing and recommissioning.

However, creating RAMS does not make someone competent or legally permitted to carry out gas work. Gas work must be undertaken by someone who is appropriately Gas Safe registered for the work involved.

Should gas isolation be included in the RAMS?

Where gas needs to be isolated as part of the work, the RAMS should reflect the relevant isolation arrangements and how the work will be safely managed.

Do plumbers need COSHH assessments?

Where hazardous substances are used or workers could be exposed to them, the risks need to be appropriately assessed. Depending on the work and product, a COSHH assessment may be required.

Should hot works be included?

If the planned work involves hot works, the associated hazards and controls should be considered. They shouldn't automatically be included where no hot works will take place.

Can plumbers use generic RAMS?

Previous documents may contain useful information, but the RAMS need to remain suitable for the actual task, location, equipment, services and hazards.

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Create Job-Specific Plumbing & Heating RAMS in Around 2 Minutes

Safe Trade Solutions helps plumbing and heating contractors create bespoke, fully editable RAMS in around 2 minutes.

Simply:

1. Enter the details of the work, equipment, hazards and specific requirements.

2. Generate a job-specific Risk Assessment and Method Statement.

3. Review and edit the documents where needed.

4. Add your company branding.

5. Download your completed RAMS document.

Your company details and logo can be saved, helping make future documents quicker to create.

Customer details can also be saved and selected from a dropdown, reducing the need to enter the same information repeatedly.

You can also add job photos to provide additional information when creating your RAMS.

If the job changes, update your RAMS to reflect the work actually being carried out.

No generic templates. Just documentation built around the job you're actually doing.

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Related Articles

• RAMS for Electricians: What Should Be Included?

• RAMS for Roofing: What Should Be Included?

• RAMS for Scaffolding: What Should Be Included?

• What Should a Risk Assessment Include?

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