Bricklaying RAMS example

HSE 5-STEP · CDM 2015

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Build a cavity brick-and-block external wall for a single-storey domestic extension, up to first-floor level, working from a mobile access tower and proprietary working platform on an occupied site.

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Construction of a cavity brick-and-block external wall for a single-storey domestic extension at 7 Priory Close, Leeds LS8 2R**, for Mr & Mrs Ellison, built up to first-floor level. Works include mixing mortar, laying facing brick and blockwork, installing wall ties, cavity insulation and DPC, and cutting bricks/blocks to size. Higher courses are laid from a PASMA-compliant mobile access tower and a proprietary working platform. Bricks and blocks are cut using a water-suppressed cut-off/bench saw to control silica dust. The dwelling remains occupied, so safe access for the household, dust control and protection of the garden and boundary are managed throughout.

Generated for an example job to show the format. Make your own site-specific version and have a competent person review it.

Document details
Contractor	Cornerstone Brickwork Ltd
Author	D. Hargreaves, Site Supervisor (NVQ Level 2 Bricklaying)
Client / Principal Contractor	Mr & Mrs Ellison
Site	7 Priory Close, 7 Priory Close, Leeds LS8 2R**
Project reference	CBW-4471
Start / duration	Mon 15 Jun 2026 / 10 days

1. Scope of works

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Operatives arrive, review this RAMS and confirm the day's work area, material laydown and the routes the occupants need to keep clear.
Introduce ourselves to the occupants, explain the works, duration, noise and dust, agree parking/deliveries and confirm welfare arrangements.
Set out the material laydown and mixing area on firm level ground away from the occupants' access routes and boundary features.
Take delivery of bricks, blocks and cement; check quantities and store banded/stacked stably at a safe height to avoid manual handling and toppling.
Inspect the mobile access tower and proprietary platform components; quarantine any damaged parts before assembly.
Set out the wall to the approved drawings, establish the DPC line and check dimensions, levels and the position of any existing services before excavation/build.
Mix mortar in the cement mixer, adding materials safely and keeping hands and tools clear of the drum; position the mixer to keep leads and the mixing area clear of routes.
Lay the first courses of brick and block off the DPC at ground level, building both leaves of the cavity, bedding wall ties and keeping the cavity clean.
Install cavity insulation and wall ties at the specified centres as the wall rises, keeping ties clean of mortar droppings and the cavity clear.
Cut bricks and blocks as required using the water-fed cut-off/bench saw with water suppression running, positioned away from occupants and downwind where possible.
As the wall approaches shoulder height, erect the mobile access tower/working platform per the manufacturer's instructions and PASMA, on firm level ground with castors locked and stabilisers fitted.
Complete and display a platform/tower inspection tag before first use and re-inspect after any move or at least every 7 days while in use.
Load out bricks, blocks and mortar onto the platform within its rated load, keeping materials evenly distributed and away from the platform edges.
Lay the higher courses from the platform, maintaining guardrails and toe boards, not overreaching, and keeping the platform tidy as work proceeds.
Build up to first-floor level, installing DPC, cavity trays and any lintels/bearings to the drawings, and checking plumb, level and gauge as the wall rises.
Rake out, point and clean down the finished brickwork, clearing mortar droppings from ties and the cavity base.
Move the tower/platform only when unloaded and clear of people and materials, following the manufacturer's move procedure.
At the end of each shift, cover fresh brickwork against weather, make the mixing/cutting area safe, store tools and materials, and clear trip hazards from the occupants' routes.
On completion, strike down the platform/tower, remove waste, off-cuts and packaging, and clean the garden and boundary area.
Walk the finished works with the client, confirm the area is left clean and safe, and sign out.

3. Risk assessment

HSE 5-STEP · MHSWR 1999 REG 3 · HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Risk assessment: hazards, who may be harmed, controls and residual risk
Hazard	Who / how	Existing controls	L×S	Additional controls	Residual
Fall from height when laying higher courses from the mobile access tower or proprietary working platform.	Operatives. Falls from a platform can cause fractures, head injuries or fatality.	PASMA-trained operatives. Platform/tower erected to manufacturer's instructions with guardrails and toe boards. Access via internal ladder.	2×4=8	Work to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy: use a fully guarded proprietary working platform/tower rather than trestles or hop-ups for the raised courses. Erect, alter and move per PASMA (3T/advance guardrail) on firm level ground with castors locked and stabilisers/outriggers fitted. Fully board the platform, keep double guardrails and toe boards in place, and access by the internal ladder maintaining three points of contact. Do not overreach, stand on the guardrail or use kickers/boxes to gain height. Inspect and tag before use and after each move. Never move the platform while loaded or occupied.	Low
Manual handling of concrete blocks, bricks, cement bags and platform components.	Operatives. Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders, arms and hands from lifting, carrying and repetitive laying; single heavy blocks are a particular risk.	Manual handling trained operatives. Materials delivered close to the work area. Team lifting for heavy items.	3×3=9	Follow the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 hierarchy: avoid handling by using mechanical delivery/placing where practicable. Do not lift dense concrete blocks over 20 kg by hand two-handed as a single-person repetitive task; specify lighter/aircrete or smaller blocks, or use a two-person lift or mechanical aid for heavier blocks in line with HSE guidance. Have materials placed at the work face at a convenient height (waist to shoulder) to cut carrying and stooping. Break loads down, keep loads close, avoid twisting, and rotate operatives to limit repetitive strain.	Low
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust when cutting bricks and blocks.	Operatives and occupants. Exposure to RCS can cause silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; dry cutting produces very high dust levels.	Cutting kept to a minimum by ordering to size. Awareness of silica hazards. COSHH assessment held for cutting masonry.	3×4=12	Follow the COSHH 2002 hierarchy: design out cutting by ordering special/cut sizes where possible. Control dust at source using water suppression on the cut-off/bench saw (or on-tool extraction), never dry-cutting. Cut outdoors, away from occupants and downwind, and rotate the task to limit exposure time. Provide face-fit-tested RPE (FFP3/half-mask) as a last line of defence for the operator and anyone nearby. Damp down and vacuum (M/H-class) cutting debris rather than dry-sweeping. Keep occupants indoors and away while cutting.	Low
Skin contact with wet cement and mortar causing cement burns, irritant/allergic contact dermatitis.	Operatives. Wet cement is highly alkaline and can cause serious chemical burns and ulceration on prolonged contact; repeated contact causes dermatitis and chromate sensitisation.	Awareness of cement hazards. Washing facilities available. COSHH assessment and Safety Data Sheets held for cement.	3×3=9	Follow HSE cement/dermatitis guidance: use chromate-reduced cement within its shelf life. Wear waterproof nitrile/rubber gloves and long sleeves to prevent skin contact, and change out mortar-soaked clothing promptly. Do not kneel in wet mortar; use knee protection and boards. Provide hot and cold washing water, mild soap and after-work skin cream, and wash off wet cement immediately. Carry out skin checks and report any irritation early.	Low
Falling materials, tools, bricks or mortar from the working platform striking people below.	Operatives below, occupants. Head injuries, serious injury or fatality.	Toe boards to the working platform. Materials kept back from edges. Work area kept clear below.	2×4=8	Fit and maintain toe boards and, where needed, brick guards to retain materials on the platform. Establish and barrier an exclusion zone beneath the raised working area and keep occupants and other operatives out of it. Do not stack materials at platform edges or overload the platform. Raise and lower materials in a controlled way; never throw bricks or drop debris. Wear head protection when working below or near the raised works. Keep the cavity and platform clear of loose off-cuts.	Low
Platform/tower instability or overturning due to poor ground, overloading, missing stabilisers or moving while loaded.	Operatives on the platform and anyone nearby. Collapse can cause serious injury or fatality.	PASMA-trained erection to manufacturer's instructions. Castors locked and stabilisers fitted. Load limits observed.	2×4=8	Erect on firm, level ground; where ground is soft or sloping, provide adequate base support/level the base before use. Fit all stabilisers/outriggers specified for the platform height and lock the castors. Do not exceed the rated safe working load; distribute bricks, blocks and mortar evenly and keep the platform tidy. Never move the platform while occupied or loaded, and check for overhead obstructions before moving. Re-inspect and re-tag after any move or adverse weather. Prohibit use in high winds that make working unsafe.	Low
Working on an occupied domestic site: disruption, dust and noise migration, damage to the garden/boundary, and safety of household members including children.	Occupants (dust/noise, trips, distress, property damage) and operatives (working around others).	Experienced operatives. Communication with occupants. Materials and mixing kept away from occupant routes.	3×2=6	Agree work areas, deliveries and quiet periods with the household daily and identify any vulnerable persons or children. Keep a safe, clear route for the occupants and maintain their escape routes at all times. Barrier off the mixing, cutting and build areas so household members, especially children, cannot enter. Locate cutting away from windows/occupants and control dust and noise at source. Protect the garden, drains and boundary; cover and secure materials. Clear the area and secure tools and the platform at the end of each shift.	Low

4. Plant & equipment

Mobile access tower (PASMA / BS EN 1004 compliant)
Proprietary working platform with guardrails and toe boards
Cement mixer (110V or petrol, as sited)
Water-fed masonry cut-off saw / bench saw (water suppression or on-tool extraction)
Bricklaying hand tools (trowels, lines, levels, bolster, lump hammer)
Wheelbarrows, shovels and mortar boards
M/H-class vacuum for dust clean-up
Material barriers, dust sheets and boundary protection

5. Materials / COSHH

COSHH assessments are held for cement, mortar and for the cutting of bricks and blocks, with Safety Data Sheets on site. The principal COSHH hazards are respirable crystalline silica (RCS) released when cutting masonry, and the highly alkaline nature of wet cement and mortar (risk of chemical burns and dermatitis). For silica, controls follow the COSHH 2002 hierarchy: minimise cutting by ordering to size, cut only with water suppression or on-tool extraction (never dry), cut away from occupants, and provide face-fit-tested FFP3/half-mask RPE as the last line of defence, with damp-down and M/H-class vacuuming for clean-up. For cement, chromate-reduced products are used within date, waterproof gloves and long sleeves are worn, wet cement is washed off immediately, and after-work skin cream is provided to help prevent dermatitis. Cavity insulation is handled per its SDS, avoiding skin/eye irritation.

6. PPE

Safety footwear (steel toe and midsole protection)
FFP3 disposable or reusable half-mask RPE (face-fit tested) for cutting/dusty tasks
Waterproof nitrile/rubber gloves (protection from wet cement)
Cut-resistant gloves for handling blocks and off-cuts
Eye protection (goggles/visor) when cutting, mixing or chasing
Head protection where working below or near raised works
Long-sleeved overalls / high-visibility work clothing
Knee pads (to avoid kneeling in wet mortar)
Hearing protection when using the cut-off/bench saw

7. Competence & training

All operatives hold NVQ Level 2 in Bricklaying and valid CSCS cards. Anyone erecting, altering, moving or using the mobile access tower and proprietary platform is PASMA trained and works to the manufacturer's instructions. Operatives using the cut-off/bench saw are trained and competent in its safe use, including water suppression. All have received manual handling and COSHH/silica awareness training and hold current face-fit test records for the RPE they wear. D. Hargreaves (Author) is the Site Supervisor responsible for briefing this RAMS and monitoring the controls.

8. Permits

9. Access & egress

Access to the rear-garden work area is via the side gate, keeping the occupants' routes to and from the dwelling clear at all times. Material laydown, mixing and cutting are set out away from access routes and barriered off. Access onto the mobile tower/working platform is by its internal ladder only, maintaining three points of contact, and the platform is kept tidy and unobstructed. Escape routes from the dwelling are maintained throughout.

10. Welfare

Toilet and hand-washing facilities are provided via the site cabin and, by arrangement with the occupants, the client WC where offered and suitable. Hot and cold water, soap and after-work skin cream are available for washing off wet cement and preventing dermatitis. Operatives carry drinking water. Rest breaks are taken away from the work, mixing and cutting areas.

11. First aid

A stocked first aid kit is held in the site cabin/company vehicle and its location is known to all operatives, including eyewash for cement and dust splashes. At least one operative is a trained first aider. Wet cement on skin or in eyes is washed off immediately with plenty of clean water, and medical advice is sought for any burn or eye injury. For serious injury, call 999 immediately and follow the site emergency plan; the site address is available for the emergency services.

12. Emergency procedures

In the event of a fall from the platform or other serious injury, stop work, make the area safe, administer first aid and call 999; do not move a seriously injured casualty unless in further danger. For a cement burn or eye splash, irrigate immediately with clean water and seek medical attention. In the event of platform/tower damage or suspected instability, prohibit use, isolate the area and re-inspect before further use. In the event of fire, alert the occupants, evacuate via the nearest safe route, call 999 and assemble at a safe distance. All incidents are reported to the client and, where reportable, under RIDDOR.

13. Environmental

Off-cuts, broken bricks/blocks, empty cement bags and packaging are segregated and removed from site for appropriate disposal or recycling. Cutting slurry and mixer washings are settled out and disposed of responsibly, never allowed to run to drains, surface water or the garden. Dust and noise are controlled at source to protect the occupants, neighbours and boundary. Materials are ordered to need to minimise surplus, and fresh brickwork is protected to avoid rework and waste.

This document was AI-generated as a drafting aid. It is not a substitute for professional health & safety advice. It must be reviewed, verified and made site-specific by a competent person before use, briefed to all operatives, and updated when site conditions or the method change. The provider accepts no liability for use of this document on site.

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