How to Write a RAMS for Working at Height

Why Working at Height Needs a RAMS

Falls from height are the biggest killer in UK construction. HSE reported 40 fatal falls in 2022/23. That's why every job involving working at height needs a proper RAMS.

What Counts as Working at Height?

Anything where a person could fall and injure themselves:

• Ladders and stepladders
• Scaffolding
• Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs / cherry pickers)
• Roof work (pitched or flat)
• Working near fragile surfaces
• Working near excavations or voids

Yes, even a 1-metre stepladder counts.

The Hierarchy of Controls

Before you write your RAMS, apply the hierarchy:

1. Avoid — can you do it from ground level? (e.g. pole-mounted tools)
2. Prevent the fall — guardrails, scaffolding, edge protection
3. Mitigate the fall — safety nets, airbags
4. Last resort — personal fall arrest (harness + lanyard)

Your RAMS should justify why you're using the method you've chosen.

What to Include in Your RAMS

Risk Assessment Section

• Falls from height — likelihood, severity, residual risk
• Falling objects (tools, materials)
• Scaffold collapse or instability
• Adverse weather (wind, rain, ice)
• Fragile surfaces
• Overhead cables / services

Method Statement Section

1. Equipment — scaffold type, ladder class, MEWP spec
2. Inspection — who inspects, when, what to check
3. Access/egress — how workers get up and down safely
4. Edge protection — guardrails, toe boards, brick guards
5. Loading — max load per platform, material storage
6. Weather limits — wind speed thresholds, rain/ice procedures
7. PPE — harness (if required), helmet, boots
8. Emergency — rescue plan if someone falls

Scaffold Example

Task: Bricklaying from scaffolding on a two-storey house.

Controls:

• Scaffold erected by CISRS-trained scaffolder
• Inspected every 7 days and after adverse weather (TG20:21)
• Guardrails at 950mm and mid-rail at 470mm
• Toe boards 150mm high
• Brick guards fitted where bricks are lifted
• Max load 2.0 kN/m² (working platform, class 4)
• No work in winds >25mph or during ice/snow
• Safe ladder access with 3-point contact rule

Ladder Example

Task: Gutter cleaning using an extension ladder.

Controls:

• Ladder inspected before use (no damage, rungs secure)
• 1-in-4 angle (75°)
• Secured at top OR footed at base by second person
• Extends 1m above landing point
• Both hands free when climbing (tools in belt or hoisted)
• Work duration <30 minutes
• Dry weather only

Common Mistakes in Working at Height RAMS

Even experienced contractors make these errors. Fixing them before you submit your RAMS will save you from getting it bounced back — or worse, having an inspector pull you up on site.

• Using generic template language — writing "appropriate edge protection will be provided" is meaningless. Specify the type: is it a guardrail system, scaffold with toe boards, or temporary barrier? Name the product or standard if you can (e.g. "Combisafe guardrail to EN 13374 Class A").
• Not specifying edge protection type — there's a big difference between a guardrail at 950mm with mid-rail and toe board versus a simple barrier tape. Your RAMS must state exactly what's going where and at what height. If you're relying on scaffolding for edge protection, state the scaffold specification.
• Missing the rescue plan — your RAMS must answer: "If someone falls, how do we get them down?" Fall arrest harnesses can cause suspension trauma within minutes. Specify the rescue method (self-rescue device, rescue from adjacent platform, emergency services call with expected response time) and who is trained to carry it out.
• Not considering weather conditions — wind, rain, frost, and ice all change the risk profile dramatically. Your RAMS should state the weather thresholds: at what wind speed do you stop work? Who checks the forecast? What's the procedure for ice on scaffolding platforms in winter?
• Not specifying competence requirements — who can inspect the scaffolding and what qualifications do they need? Under NASC guidance, scaffold inspections should be carried out by someone holding a CISRS Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS) card or equivalent. Your RAMS should name the responsible person or at minimum state the required qualification.

Working at Height Checklist

Before starting any work at height, run through this checklist:

• Can the work be done from ground level? — always the first question. If yes, do it from the ground.
• Is edge protection in place and inspected? — guardrails, toe boards, and brick guards all present and secured correctly.
• Has the scaffold been inspected within the last 7 days? — check the scaffold tag. If it's overdue or there's been adverse weather since the last inspection, do not use it until re-inspected.
• Is a rescue plan in place? — everyone on the platform knows what to do if someone falls or is suspended in a harness.
• Has today's weather been checked? — wind speed, rain, ice. If conditions are outside your RAMS thresholds, stand down.
• Are all workers trained and briefed? — have they read the RAMS, signed onto the method statement, and had a toolbox talk covering the specific risks?

Generate your working at height RAMS →