RAMS for Roofing: What Should Be Included?
Quick Answer
Roofing RAMS should identify the significant hazards involved in the specific roofing job and explain how the work will be carried out safely.
They should consider factors such as work at height, roof condition, fragile surfaces, access, falling materials, weather, tools and equipment, manual handling and anyone who could be affected by the work.
Most importantly, roofing RAMS should reflect the actual roof and the work being carried out.
A generic document that simply says "use suitable fall protection" isn't enough to properly plan a roofing job.
What Are Roofing RAMS?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement.
For roofing 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 the workforce, supervisors, clients and other contractors with a clear plan for the work.
Do Roofers Need RAMS?
There isn't a blanket legal requirement for every roofing contractor to have a document specifically called "RAMS".
However, employers and those responsible for work must assess and manage health and safety risks.
Roofing also involves work at height. This must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out by competent people.
Clients and principal contractors will also commonly require suitable RAMS before roofing work begins.
What Should Roofing RAMS Include?
The exact content depends on the job, but roofing RAMS may need to consider:
• Work at height
• Roof condition and construction
• Fragile roofs and rooflights
• Roof edges and openings
• Safe access and egress
• Falling materials and tools
• Weather conditions
• Manual handling
• Ladders, scaffolds and access equipment
• Power tools and other equipment
• Materials being installed or removed
• Other contractors and people below
• Suitable PPE
• Emergency and rescue arrangements
Not every hazard belongs in every roofing RAMS document.
The hazards and controls should be selected because they are relevant to the actual work.
Work at Height
Falls from height are one of the most significant risks associated with roofing.
Before work starts, consideration should be given to how workers will access the work area, where they will work and how falls will be prevented.
Where possible, work at height should be avoided. Where it cannot be avoided, suitable measures should be selected based on the work being undertaken.
The RAMS should explain the actual controls being used rather than simply stating "work safely at height".
Fragile Roofs and Rooflights
Fragile surfaces require particular attention.
Rooflights, fibre cement sheets, corroded metal sheets and other roof materials may not safely support a person's weight.
A surface should not simply be assumed to be safe because it looks solid.
Where fragile surfaces are present, the work should be planned to avoid accessing them wherever possible.
If access cannot be avoided, suitable measures need to be identified to prevent or minimise the consequences of a fall.
Roof Edges and Openings
Unprotected roof edges and openings can expose workers to serious falls.
The RAMS should identify where these hazards exist and explain the controls that will be in place.
Depending on the work, this could involve suitable edge protection, working platforms, covers, barriers or other appropriate measures.
The controls need to match the roof and the work being undertaken.
Weather Conditions
Roofing work is particularly affected by changing weather.
Rain, ice, high winds and extreme temperatures can change the risks associated with a job.
Weather conditions can affect:
• Roof surfaces
• Worker stability
• Materials
• Lifting operations
• Access equipment
• Visibility
The RAMS should therefore consider when conditions would make it unsafe for work to continue.
Falling Materials and People Below
Roofing work can create risks for people who aren't on the roof.
Tools, tiles, sheets, fixings and other materials can fall from the work area.
Suitable controls may include:
• Exclusion zones
• Barriers and controlled access
• Toe boards or other suitable protection
• Safe storage of tools and materials
• Appropriate methods for raising and lowering materials
The controls required will depend on what is below the work area.
A roof above an occupied workplace or public area may require very different controls from an isolated site.
Safe Access and Egress
Getting onto and off the roof safely is part of the job.
The RAMS should consider how workers will access the roof and whether the selected access equipment is suitable.
Depending on the project, this might involve:
• Scaffolding
• Stair towers
• Ladders
• MEWPs
• Other suitable access arrangements
Access routes should remain safe and usable throughout the work.
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Tools, Equipment and Materials
Roofing jobs can involve a wide range of tools, equipment and materials.
Rather than automatically listing every possible item, the RAMS should consider what is actually being used on the job and any significant risks it introduces.
This could include:
• Power tools
• Lifting equipment
• Access equipment
• Gas or heat-producing equipment
• Roofing sheets, tiles or membranes
• Materials being removed from the existing roof
The method of handling, moving, storing and installing materials should also be considered where relevant.
What Should a Roofing Method Statement Explain?
The Method Statement should clearly explain how the planned roofing work will be carried out.
Depending on the project, this could include:
• Arrival and site preparation
• Establishing the work area
• Delivery and storage of materials
• Setting up access equipment
• Safe access to the roof
• Installation of fall protection
• Removal of existing materials
• Preparation of the roof
• Installation of new roofing materials
• Movement of tools and materials
• Waste removal
• Final checks
• Leaving the work area safe
The sequence should reflect the actual job rather than being copied from an unrelated roofing project.
Should Roofing RAMS Be Site-Specific?
Yes.
Consider two contractors carrying out the same basic roof repair.
One might be working on a two-storey house with scaffolding already installed.
The other might be working on an industrial building containing fragile rooflights while employees continue working below.
The task might be described as "roof repair" in both cases, but the hazards, people at risk and control measures could be completely different.
That's why changing the client name and date on an old roofing RAMS document isn't the same as assessing the new job.
Can You Use the Same Roofing RAMS for Every Job?
Previous RAMS can provide useful information, but they shouldn't simply be reused without checking whether they remain suitable.
Before starting a new roofing job, consider:
• What roofing work is being carried out?
• What type of roof are you working on?
• What condition is the roof in?
• Are there any fragile surfaces or rooflights?
• How will workers safely access the roof?
• Who could be affected by the work?
• What equipment and materials will be used?
• What are the significant hazards?
• What control measures will actually be in place?
If any of these factors change, the RAMS may need to change too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roofers need a Risk Assessment?
Roofing work presents significant health and safety risks, particularly from work at height. Those risks need to be suitably assessed and controlled.
Should fragile roofs be included in roofing RAMS?
Where fragile surfaces are present or could reasonably be encountered, they should be considered. The controls should reflect the actual roof and planned work.
Should weather be included in roofing RAMS?
Where weather could affect the safety of the work, it should be considered. The RAMS should make clear when changing conditions require work to stop or controls to be reviewed.
Does PPE need to be included?
Where PPE is required as part of the control measures, it should be identified. PPE should be selected for the actual hazards rather than automatically adding every available type.
Do roofing RAMS replace work-at-height planning?
No. Producing a RAMS document doesn't automatically make the work safe. The work still needs to be properly planned, supervised and carried out using appropriate controls and equipment.
Create Job-Specific Roofing RAMS in Around 2 Minutes
Safe Trade Solutions helps roofing contractors create bespoke, fully editable RAMS in around 2 minutes.
Simply:
1. Enter the details of the roofing 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.
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.
Related Articles
• RAMS for Scaffolding: What Should Be Included?
• Are RAMS a Legal Requirement in the UK?
• What Should a Risk Assessment Include?
• Can I Use the Same RAMS Document for Every Job?
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