Concreting RAMS example

HSE 5-STEP · CDM 2015

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Pour, place and power-float finish a reinforced concrete ground-bearing slab for a domestic rear extension, using a concrete pump and delivery wagon.

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Pouring, placing and power-float finishing of a reinforced concrete ground-bearing slab for a domestic rear extension at 42 Beechwood Close, Bristol BS9 4P**, for Mr & Mrs Harding. Ready-mixed concrete is delivered by wagon and placed by concrete pump into the prepared, reinforced formwork, compacted with a poker vibrator, levelled, and finished with a ride-on or pedestrian power float. The property fronts a residential close with members of the public and neighbours nearby.

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	Foundation & Groundworks Solutions Ltd
Author	T. Whelan, Site Foreman (SSSTS, CPCS)
Client / Principal Contractor	Mr & Mrs Harding
Site	42 Beechwood Close, 42 Beechwood Close, Bristol BS9 4P**
Project reference	FGS-2065
Start / duration	Tue 23 Jun 2026 / 1 day (pour and finish)

1. Scope of works

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Operatives arrive on site, review this RAMS and confirm the pour sequence, pump position, exclusion zone and banksman arrangements before the wagon arrives.
Confirm the formwork, reinforcement mesh, spacers, damp-proof membrane and levels have been checked and signed off as ready to receive concrete.
Walk the delivery route and set-up area; confirm firm, level standing for the pump and wagon and check for overhead lines and soft ground.
Set out barriers, cones and signage to establish an exclusion zone around the pump, wagon and hose, segregating neighbours and the public from the works.
Brief all operatives on the pour method, the whip/hose danger zone, communication signals and the emergency stop location on the pump.
Position the delivery wagon and set up the concrete pump on firm, level ground with outriggers fully deployed on spreader pads; the banksman controls all reversing and set-up movements.
Prime the pump and check the delivery line and hose connections are secure before pumping concrete.
Begin placing concrete into the formwork in a controlled sequence, with the pump operator and hose handler in constant contact with the pump via the banksman/signals.
Keep operatives clear of the discharging hose end; the whip hose is handled only by a competent operative standing to the side, never directly in line.
Spread and level the concrete to the marked levels, working off boards or beams to avoid standing on the reinforcement.
Compact the concrete with a poker vibrator to remove air voids, avoiding over-vibration and segregation.
Screed and level the surface to falls/datum as the pour progresses.
Once the wagon and pump are finished, wash out only into the designated contained washout area, never to drains, gardens or the highway.
Allow the slab to firm up to a walkable state, then power-float the surface in passes to the required finish, keeping others clear of the rotating blades.
Apply a curing membrane or covering to protect the slab and control moisture loss.
Barrier off the fresh slab and display 'wet concrete' warning signage to keep people and pets off until cured.
Clean down all plant, tools and the delivery route; remove barriers only once the area is safe and tidy.
Complete delivery/pour records and the concrete pour checklist.
Confirm the site and public boundary are left clean, secure and free of spillage before leaving.
Sign out from site.

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
Skin contact with wet cement/concrete causing chemical burns, ulceration, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.	Operatives placing and finishing concrete. Cement is highly alkaline and contains hexavalent chromium; prolonged contact causes serious cement burns and long-term dermatitis.	Operatives aware of cement hazards. Waterproof gloves and long sleeves worn. Wash facilities available.	3×4=12	Control under COSHH 2002: prevent skin and eye contact by wearing waterproof gloves, long sleeves, waterproof trousers and eye protection when placing/finishing. Keep concrete off skin; do not kneel in wet concrete without waterproof protection. Wash any splashes off promptly with clean water and provide eyewash. Provide barrier cream and hand-washing with soap and water. Never allow concrete to set inside boots or gloves. Consult the concrete Safety Data Sheet.	Low
Struck by the concrete pump delivery hose / whip hose, or by moving pump/wagon parts.	Operatives, particularly the hose handler. The hose end can whip violently from air pockets or blockages, causing serious impact injuries or fatality.	Competent pump operator and hose handler. Banksman controls vehicle movements. Emergency stop on the pump.	2×5=10	Establish and barrier an exclusion zone around the pump, line and hose per pump good-practice guidance; only the hose handler and essential operatives inside it. The hose handler stands to the side of, never directly in front of or straddling, the discharge end. Prime the pump correctly to avoid air pockets and clear blockages using the recognised safe procedure. Keep the emergency stop accessible and brief its location. Never place hands or tools near the discharge outlet while pumping.	Low
Reversing and set-up of the concrete wagon and pump in a residential close with the public and neighbours nearby.	Public, neighbours, children, operatives. Struck by reversing vehicle or crushed against structures; overturning if outriggers are on soft ground.	Trained banksman. Reversing aids on vehicles. Awareness of public proximity.	2×5=10	A trained banksman controls all reversing and set-up using agreed signals and stands clear of the vehicle path. Establish a barriered exclusion zone segregating the public and neighbours from the wagon, pump and hose. Set the pump on firm, level ground with outriggers fully extended on spreader pads; check ground bearing and overhead lines first. Keep children and pets away; do not reverse without the banksman. Maintain a safe pedestrian route past the works.	Low
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and cement dust from handling dry/spilled cementitious material, cutting, or dry sweeping.	Operatives. Silicosis and lung disease from long-term RCS inhalation; respiratory and eye irritation from cement dust.	Ready-mixed concrete delivered wet, reducing dust. General ventilation outdoors. Awareness of dust hazards.	2×3=6	Control under COSHH 2002: use ready-mixed wet concrete to avoid mixing dry cement on site. Where any cutting is needed, use water suppression or on-tool extraction, never dry cutting. Do not dry-sweep spilled material; damp down and shovel or vacuum. Provide FFP3 RPE (face-fit tested) for any dusty task. Wear eye protection when there is a splash or dust risk.	Low
Manual handling of concreting tools, reinforcement, barrows and dragging/placing concrete.	Operatives. Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders and knees from repetitive placing, raking and screeding.	Manual handling trained operatives. Pump reduces barrowing of concrete. Team working.	3×2=6	Assess handling under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; use the pump to place concrete rather than barrowing where possible. Use long-handled tools to reduce stooping and reaching. Rotate operatives on strenuous raking/screeding tasks and take breaks. Team-lift reinforcement sheets and avoid twisting while carrying. Keep barrow routes firm, level and clear.	Low
Rotating blades of the power float and vibration/noise from float and poker vibrator.	Operatives, nearby persons. Entanglement, impact or laceration from rotating blades; hand-arm vibration and noise-induced hearing loss.	Power-float-trained operatives. Guarded blades. Dead-man/kill switch fitted. Awareness of vibration limits.	2×3=6	Only trained operatives use the power float; keep others clear of the working radius. Ensure the dead-man's handle/kill switch functions before use and never override it. Keep hands, feet and loose clothing away from the blades; do not attempt to clear or adjust while running. Manage noise under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (hearing protection when floating). Limit hand-arm vibration exposure from the poker vibrator by rotating operatives and monitoring trigger time.	Low
Impalement or injury from falling or stepping onto projecting steel reinforcement (starter bars, mesh) before and during the pour.	Operatives, and anyone entering the formwork area. Puncture wounds and, from a fall onto projecting bars, serious internal injury.	Reinforcement fixed to design. Access over boards. Awareness of trip and puncture risk.	2×4=8	Fit proprietary rebar caps/protection to all projecting bar ends and starter bars before work over the reinforcement begins. Provide boarded walkways/beams so operatives work off boards rather than standing on the mesh. Keep the working area clear of trip hazards and manage cables and hoses. Wear safety footwear with penetration-resistant midsoles. Do not leave uncapped projecting bars at the end of the works.	Low

4. Plant & equipment

Concrete delivery wagon (ready-mixed)
Concrete pump (line/boom) with outriggers and spreader pads
Poker (immersion) vibrator
Ride-on or pedestrian power float with dead-man switch
Screed rails, straightedge and floats
Wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes (long-handled)
Barriers, cones and warning signage
Contained washout point / equipment

5. Materials / COSHH

The principal COSHH hazard is wet cement/concrete, which is strongly alkaline and can cause cement burns and dermatitis on skin contact, plus eye injury from splashes; controlled under COSHH 2002 by waterproof PPE, prompt washing and eyewash, and use of barrier cream, with reference to the concrete Safety Data Sheet. Respirable crystalline silica is minimised by using ready-mixed wet concrete and avoiding dry cutting or sweeping. The curing membrane/compound is used per its Safety Data Sheet, avoiding skin contact and vapour build-up in enclosed areas. Only minimal quantities of any product are kept on site.

6. PPE

Safety footwear with penetration-resistant midsole (steel toe)
Waterproof gloves resistant to wet cement
Waterproof trousers and long sleeves (to prevent cement contact when placing/finishing)
Eye protection (against cement splashes)
High-visibility clothing (vehicle and public interface)
Safety helmet (during pump set-up / vehicle movements)
Hearing protection (when using power float and vibrator)

7. Competence & training

All operatives hold valid CSCS cards appropriate to groundworks/concreting. The power float is operated only by trained operatives, and a trained banksman controls all vehicle movements and pump set-up. Operatives are manual handling trained and briefed on the cement and pump-hose hazards. T. Whelan (Author) holds SSSTS and a relevant CPCS card and supervises the pour, including the exclusion zone and washout arrangements.

8. Permits

Concrete delivery / pump set-up agreement confirming pump position, ground bearing and access before the wagon arrives.
Pre-pour formwork and reinforcement sign-off held on site before concrete is placed.

9. Access & egress

The delivery wagon and concrete pump access via the domestic driveway, which is confirmed as firm and level with adequate standing and clearance from overhead lines. A boarded, clear route is maintained from the pump to the pour. A safe, segregated pedestrian route past the works is kept for neighbours and the public, and a clear escape route from the working area is maintained throughout. Barriers and signage prevent unauthorised access to the pour and the fresh slab.

10. Welfare

A site toilet and welfare unit with hot water, soap and drying facilities is provided on the driveway, essential for prompt washing of cement contact. Operatives wash before eating and drinking and after any concrete contact. Drinking water is available and rest breaks are taken away from the pour and vehicle movement areas.

11. First aid

A stocked first aid kit, including eyewash for cement splashes, is held on site and in the company vehicle, and at least one trained first aider is present. Cement burns and eye splashes are irrigated with clean water immediately and, if serious, referred to A&E without delay. For serious injury, call 999, give the site address, and follow the emergency plan. All injuries are recorded.

12. Emergency procedures

In an emergency, stop the pump using the emergency stop, stop vehicle movements via the banksman, and make the area safe. For a hose whip, blockage or burst line, stop pumping immediately and follow the safe unblocking procedure; do not stand in line with the hose. For cement burns or eye contact, irrigate with clean water at once and seek medical help for anything beyond minor. Evacuate and call 999 for serious injury or fire, keeping the public clear. Report reportable events under RIDDOR and notify the client.

13. Environmental

Concrete and washout are contained: the pump and wagon wash out only into a designated contained washout area, never to drains, gullies, gardens or the highway, as alkaline washwater is a pollutant. Any spillage on the driveway or road is cleared before it sets. Deliveries are timed to minimise disruption and vehicle idling in the residential close, and noise from the pump, vibrator and float is kept to agreed hours. Waste packaging and offcuts are segregated and removed for recycling; the public boundary is left clean.

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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