Plastering method statement example: plaster and skim, occupied renovation

HSE five steps · CDM 2015

You write this: Plaster and skim internal walls and ceilings to two rooms in an occupied domestic renovation, working from hop-ups and a mobile access tower, using bagged plaster mixed on site.
You get this: Trueline Plastering Ltd (project ref TPL-3315) will plaster and skim internal walls and ceilings to two rooms in an occupied domestic renovation at 18 Beckett Grove, Leeds, for Mr & Mrs Ashworth. Work starts Tue 23 Jun 2026 and is expected to take 4 days with 2 operatives. The work is done from hop-ups and a mobile access tower, using bagged plaster mixed on site (bonding coat, multi-finish plaster, bagged undercoat, with PVA). The two rooms will be sheeted and cordoned off from the rest of the house, and the occupants will be kept out of the work area while work is under way. The work is supervised by S. Whitaker, Site Supervisor (NVQ Level 2 Plastering). Items to confirm before work starts: (1) The age of the house, and whether the client holds an asbestos register or management survey covering both rooms. S. Whitaker confirms this with Mr & Mrs Ashworth before work starts and before anything is disturbed. If the survey does not cover the rooms, a refurbishment survey of the area is needed first. (2) Whether any preparation such as hacking off, cutting back or drilling into existing plaster, brick or block is needed. S. Whitaker confirms this on the pre-start walk. This RAMS assumes some local cutting back or fixing may be needed, so the silica controls apply. (3) Ceiling heights, floor finish and the stair route, so the right tower size and floor protection are fitted. S. Whitaker confirms on the pre-start walk. (4) Which household occupants (adults, children, pets) will be at home during the 4 days, and which rooms stay in use. Confirmed with Mr & Mrs Ashworth at the pre-start briefing. (5) The full site postcode and the location of the nearest accessible phone signal, so emergency services can be directed. Confirmed by S. Whitaker on day one. (6) The location of the client WC and the household water supply and isolation points. Agreed with Mr & Mrs Ashworth before work starts.

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	Trueline Plastering Ltd
Author	S. Whitaker, Site Supervisor (NVQ Level 2 Plastering)
Client / Principal Contractor	Mr & Mrs Ashworth
Site	18 Beckett Grove, Leeds LS8 2R**
Project reference	TPL-3315
Start / duration	Tue 23 Jun 2026 / 4 days

1. Scope of works

Trueline Plastering Ltd (project ref TPL-3315) will plaster and skim internal walls and ceilings to two rooms in an occupied domestic renovation at 18 Beckett Grove, Leeds, for Mr & Mrs Ashworth. Work starts Tue 23 Jun 2026 and is expected to take 4 days with 2 operatives. The work is done from hop-ups and a mobile access tower, using bagged plaster mixed on site (bonding coat, multi-finish plaster, bagged undercoat, with PVA). The two rooms will be sheeted and cordoned off from the rest of the house, and the occupants will be kept out of the work area while work is under way. The work is supervised by S. Whitaker, Site Supervisor (NVQ Level 2 Plastering). Items to confirm before work starts: (1) The age of the house, and whether the client holds an asbestos register or management survey covering both rooms. S. Whitaker confirms this with Mr & Mrs Ashworth before work starts and before anything is disturbed. If the survey does not cover the rooms, a refurbishment survey of the area is needed first. (2) Whether any preparation such as hacking off, cutting back or drilling into existing plaster, brick or block is needed. S. Whitaker confirms this on the pre-start walk. This RAMS assumes some local cutting back or fixing may be needed, so the silica controls apply. (3) Ceiling heights, floor finish and the stair route, so the right tower size and floor protection are fitted. S. Whitaker confirms on the pre-start walk. (4) Which household occupants (adults, children, pets) will be at home during the 4 days, and which rooms stay in use. Confirmed with Mr & Mrs Ashworth at the pre-start briefing. (5) The full site postcode and the location of the nearest accessible phone signal, so emergency services can be directed. Confirmed by S. Whitaker on day one. (6) The location of the client WC and the household water supply and isolation points. Agreed with Mr & Mrs Ashworth before work starts.

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Before work starts, S. Whitaker checks the client's asbestos register or management survey for both rooms. If the register does not cover the area, or the house age is unknown, no work that disturbs existing walls or ceilings starts until the client has arranged a survey of the area. Cite Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 5.
Carry out the pre-start walk with Mr & Mrs Ashworth. Confirm the rooms, the access route, who will be in the house, where the WC is, the location of water and electrical isolation points and the fire escape route. Agree that the cordoned area is out of bounds to the household and visitors.
Hold a short briefing for both operatives covering this RAMS, the stop-work rule for suspect asbestos, the tower and hop-up rules, the fire and emergency arrangements and who is the first aider.
Protect the route from the main entrance and up the internal stairs with floor protection. Remove or cover furniture and fittings in the rooms, and sheet the floors, doors, windows, stair edges and fixed items. Seal door openings to the rest of the house with sheeting and tape to contain dust, leaving the escape route usable.
Set up the cordon and warning signs at the room doors and on the landing. Keep tools, bags and the mixing area inside the cordon, and keep the paddle mixer and 110V transformer out of reach when not supervised.
Set up the 110V transformer on a dry, clear spot outside the wet area. Check the transformer, leads and paddle mixer for damage and a valid PAT or inspection label. Run leads up and off the floor where possible, away from the wet and walking areas.
Inspect the mobile access tower against the manufacturer's instructions before use. Check for damage, missing parts, brakes, outriggers, level base and guardrails. Erect the tower on firm, level ground with the base in the room. Only PASMA trained operatives build, move or alter it, and a tower tag is displayed.
Inspect the hop-ups for damage and stability before each use. Place them on a level, clear floor, and keep them clear of cables, buckets and loose sheeting.
Prepare the surfaces. Brush down and remove loose or blown material by hand, or with a vacuum, using wet methods where practical. If any cutting back, scraping or drilling of brick, block, concrete or existing plaster is needed, use on-tool extraction or water suppression and wear the RPE in the risk assessment. If anything suspect appears during the work, stop and follow the stop-work rule.
Stop-work rule: if any suspect material is found, such as boards, textured coatings, lagging or tiles that were not identified before, stop work at once, tell the other operative, keep people away from the area and report it to S. Whitaker and the client. Work does not start again until the material has been identified and cleared.
Apply PVA to the surfaces where needed, brushing or rolling it on without splashing, with the room ventilated.
Mix bagged plaster outside the work area or in a designated mixing area inside the cordon. Open bags carefully, lower the plaster into the water, and mix with the paddle mixer using a lid or splash guard on the bucket. Keep the mixing area contained, and clean up with a damp cloth or M-class or H-class vacuum, never by dry sweeping.
Apply the bonding coat or undercoat to the walls and ceilings first, working from the tower for ceilings and hop-ups for walls. Keep working positions inside the guardrails, do not overreach and move the platform rather than stretching. Rotate the operatives between ceiling and wall tasks to limit overhead strain.
Apply the multi-finish plaster in two coats and trowel up. Keep the room ventilated through open windows while avoiding draughts that cause fast drying.
Keep the work area and floor clear of spilt plaster and offcuts during the job, and keep leads and hoses off the walking route. Do not leave tools or buckets on the tower platform at the end of a shift.
At the end of each day, clean tools in a bucket (not the household sink), store materials and plant tidily within the cordon, check for any damage to protection and tell the client what is safe to use and what is out of bounds.
At the end of the job, clean down using a damp wipe or vacuum, remove the sheeting by folding it inwards, dismantle the tower and hop-ups, take down the cordon and dispose of waste as set out in the environmental section.
Hand the finished rooms back to Mr & Mrs Ashworth after a walk round, explain that the plaster needs to dry and record any damage or issues found.

3. Risk assessment

Built on the HSE five steps, MHSWR 1999 regulation 3 and the hierarchy of control.

Fall from height from the mobile access tower while plastering ceilings and upper walls
Medium
Who / how
Both operatives: serious or fatal injuries from a fall. Anyone below: struck by a falling person.
Existing controls
PASMA trained operatives. Tower built to manufacturer's instructions with guardrails, toe boards and outriggers where required.
L×S
3×5=15
Additional controls
Avoid work at height where possible by using the lowest practicable platform and finishing as much as possible from the floor. Check ground and floor are firm and level, brakes on, and wheels locked before every use. Complete and record a tower inspection before first use and after any alteration (Work at Height Regulations 2005). Tower tag displayed. No moving the tower with people or materials on board. No overreaching and no standing on guardrails or using ladders from the platform. Use the internal stairs and landing edges only with the edge protected, and keep the tower away from stairwell openings. Hard hats not needed unless overhead hazards are present. Non-slip footwear as the last line of defence.
Fall from hop-ups when plastering walls and the lower ceiling areas
Medium
Who / how
Both operatives: sprains, fractures and head injuries from falling off a low platform.
Existing controls
Hop-ups inspected before use and placed on level floor.
L×S
3×3=9
Additional controls
Choose hop-ups of suitable height and size for the task, with a non-slip platform. Clear the floor of buckets, leads and spilt plaster before each move. Position the hop-up so that no reaching is needed, and move it rather than stretch (Work at Height Regulations 2005). No standing on buckets, boxes or the edges of the hop-up. Do not use the hop-up on stairs or landings. Non-slip footwear as backup.
Occupied domestic site: Mr & Mrs Ashworth, their family, visitors, children and pets entering the work area, and other trades if booked
Low
Who / how
Occupants and visitors, especially children and pets: slips, trips, contact with wet plaster, dust inhalation, contact with the tower, mixer or leads. Operatives: disturbance and interruption.
Existing controls
Work area sheeted and cordoned off. Main entrance and stairs used as the route.
L×S
3×3=9
Additional controls
Agree with the clients at the pre-start briefing which rooms are out of bounds and who will be at home. Install a physical barrier and signage at door openings and keep the room doors closed or sealed. Keep the cordon in place for the full job and do not leave open buckets, tools or plant in unsupervised areas. Never leave the mixer or transformer plugged in when unattended. Keep bags and materials inside the cordon and out of reach of children and pets. Check the cordon at every break and at the end of each shift. Tell the clients which areas have wet plaster. Protect the stair route with floor protection. Keep the operatives' own PPE at hand but do not rely on it for the household, who are protected by segregation.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from any cutting back, scraping, drilling or fixing into existing brick, block, concrete or plaster during preparation, and from dry cleaning
Medium
Who / how
The two operatives doing the work and the occupants and anyone nearby breathing the dust: long-term lung disease including silicosis, lung cancer and COPD.
Existing controls
Rooms sheeted and cordoned. Rooms ventilated.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Plan the work to reduce cutting back, scraping and drilling to the minimum needed. Use on-tool extraction (M-class or H-class vacuum) or water suppression on every drill, chaser or saw used on these materials. Keep others out of the rooms and clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum or damp wiping, never dry sweeping or compressed air. Then use RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 (FFP3 disposable or equivalent), face-fit tested and worn clean shaven. Comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE Construction Information Sheet CIS36 'Construction dust'. The workplace exposure limit for RCS is 0.1 mg/m3 (8-hour TWA) in HSE EH40/2005.
General plaster dust from emptying bags and mixing, and from rubbing down, spreading to the rest of the occupied house
Low
Who / how
Operatives and household occupants: irritation to eyes, nose and throat, and aggravation of asthma or breathing conditions.
Existing controls
Rooms sheeted and cordoned.
L×S
4×2=8
Additional controls
Choose low-dust bagged products where available and open and tip bags slowly and low into the water. Mix in a contained, ventilated area with a lid or splash guard on the bucket. Seal the room doors and open the windows to the outside. Damp wipe or vacuum with an M-class or H-class vacuum, never dry sweep (COSHH 2002). Keep the household out of the mixing area. RPE as specified in the Safety Data Sheet, for example an FFP3 or FFP2 disposable, as a backup.
Skin and eye contact with wet plaster, bonding coat and PVA, including splashes when working overhead on ceilings
Medium
Who / how
Operatives: irritant or alkaline skin burns, dermatitis and eye injury. Anyone below the work: splashes.
Existing controls
Clean water available for washing. Operatives trained.
L×S
4×3=12
Additional controls
Use products with the lowest hazard rating where possible. Mix carefully with a splash guard on the bucket, and use a hawk and trowel techniques that limit dripping. Keep the area below the ceiling work clear. Provide clean water and an eye wash bottle at the work point. Wash hands and skin at breaks and at the end of the shift, and use barrier cream. Check skin for early signs of dermatitis weekly and report any soreness (COSHH 2002). Wear gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses or goggles to the standard in the Safety Data Sheet (for example BS EN 374 and BS EN 166) as the last line of defence.
Electric shock or fire from the 110V transformer, leads and electric paddle mixer used in wet conditions in a domestic setting
Medium
Who / how
Operatives and household occupants: electric shock, burns or fire.
Existing controls
110V supply through a transformer. Equipment checked before use.
L×S
2×5=10
Additional controls
Use only 110V equipment with a transformer, sited off wet floors and away from water. Visually inspect all leads, plugs and the mixer before use and use only items with a current PAT test label (Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and PUWER 1998). Keep leads off the floor and clear of the mixing area and walking route. Do not use damaged equipment, and take it out of service at once. Isolate and unplug the mixer when cleaning or when unattended. Use a residual current device on the 230V supply feeding the transformer. Do not drill or cut into walls where cables or pipes may be hidden without checking with a cable and pipe detector. Rubber boots or insulating footwear if the floor is wet, as backup.
Manual handling of 25 kg bags of plaster, buckets of mixed plaster, the paddle mixer and tower components, including carrying up internal stairs
Medium
Who / how
Both operatives: back, shoulder and arm injuries, and trips with loads.
Existing controls
Two operatives available. Stair route cleared.
L×S
4×3=12
Additional controls
Reduce the load by buying smaller bags where available, and mix in smaller batches. Store bags at the work area before work starts, delivering only what is needed for the day. Use a trolley or a carry by two for heavy bags, and carry one bag at a time on the stairs. Do not carry loads that block the view of the steps. Plan and rotate tasks to include rest breaks (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992). Gloves and safety boots (BS EN ISO 20345) as backup.
Slips, trips and falls from wet plaster, water, sheeting, leads and stairs in the work area and on the access route
Medium
Who / how
Operatives and occupants: sprains, fractures and bruising.
Existing controls
Floor sheeted. Route from main entrance and stairs marked.
L×S
4×3=12
Additional controls
Use non-slip, taped-down floor protection. Keep the floor and stair route clear of leads, buckets and waste, and tidy as the work goes on. Mop and wipe up spilt plaster and water straight away, and use warning signs on wet floors. Route leads overhead or along walls rather than across the floor. Keep the cordon so the household is not on the route. Good lighting in the rooms and on the stairs. Non-slip safety footwear as backup.
Noise and hand-arm vibration from the electric paddle mixer and hand tools
Low
Who / how
The operative mixing: temporary hearing loss from noise, and hand-arm vibration over time.
Existing controls
Mixing in short batches. Equipment in good condition.
L×S
3×2=6
Additional controls
Use a well-maintained mixer with a lid or guard and keep mixing times short. Mix in an area away from the occupants and use a cut-off so that noise is limited to batches. Share the mixing between both operatives. Take breaks, and report numb or tingling hands (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and PUWER 1998). Hearing protection to BS EN 352 if the noise is intrusive, as backup.
Disturbing unidentified asbestos-containing materials in existing walls, ceilings or coatings in a house of unconfirmed age while preparing the surfaces
Medium
Who / how
Operatives, the household and anyone nearby: inhalation of asbestos fibres leading to serious lung disease, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, years later.
Existing controls
None until the check is completed.
L×S
2×5=10
Additional controls
Before work starts, S. Whitaker checks the client's asbestos register or management survey for both rooms. Where the register does not cover the area, a refurbishment survey of the area is needed before any work that disturbs the fabric (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 5). Brief both operatives on the stop-work rule: if suspect material is found, stop, keep people away and report it to S. Whitaker and the client before work carries on. No drilling, scraping or removal of existing coatings or boards until cleared. This is a check to be made and does not mean asbestos is present. Report any damage to suspect material found.
Falling tools, materials and plaster from the tower and hop-ups onto people below
Low
Who / how
The other operative and anyone entering the room: head and body injuries from falling items.
Existing controls
Cordon around the work area.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Keep the area beneath the tower clear while work is going on and keep the household out. Use a tower platform with toe boards and keep tools in a bucket or pouch. Do not leave loose items on the platform and pass tools up and down by hand or on a rope, not by throwing. Keep the platform tidy and do not overload it. Warn others in the room before moving the tower or lowering items. Hard hats if work above others cannot be avoided, as backup.
Awkward posture, repeated overhead reaching and neck strain when skimming ceilings
Low
Who / how
Both operatives: shoulder, neck and back strain and fatigue, which also raises the risk of falls and mistakes.
Existing controls
Two operatives so tasks can be shared.
L×S
4×2=8
Additional controls
Set the tower height so the work is at a comfortable level and avoid working with arms fully raised for long. Rotate the tasks between ceilings and walls, and plan regular rest breaks. Use good lighting to cut the need to lean. Report pain or strain early to the supervisor (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992). Safety glasses to keep wet plaster out of the eyes as backup.
Fire and blocked escape in an occupied house, including sheeting and cordons across the escape route and smoke alarms covered or disabled
Medium
Who / how
Operatives, Mr & Mrs Ashworth, their family and visitors: smoke inhalation, burns and delayed escape.
Existing controls
Main entrance available as the escape route. Smoke alarms in the house.
L×S
2×5=10
Additional controls
Agree the escape route and fire assembly point with the clients at the pre-start walk. Keep the cordon, sheeting, bags and the tower clear of the escape route and fire doors. Do not cover or disable any smoke alarms. If dust sheeting covers an alarm, agree an alternative with the clients and remove the sheeting at the end of every shift. Keep waste packaging and sheeting out of the work area and removed from site, and keep a fire extinguisher or similar to hand. Unplug equipment at the end of the day.

Risk assessment: hazards, who may be harmed, controls and residual risk
Hazard	Who / how	Existing controls	L×S	Additional controls	Residual
Fall from height from the mobile access tower while plastering ceilings and upper walls	Both operatives: serious or fatal injuries from a fall. Anyone below: struck by a falling person.	PASMA trained operatives. Tower built to manufacturer's instructions with guardrails, toe boards and outriggers where required.	3×5=15	Avoid work at height where possible by using the lowest practicable platform and finishing as much as possible from the floor. Check ground and floor are firm and level, brakes on, and wheels locked before every use. Complete and record a tower inspection before first use and after any alteration (Work at Height Regulations 2005). Tower tag displayed. No moving the tower with people or materials on board. No overreaching and no standing on guardrails or using ladders from the platform. Use the internal stairs and landing edges only with the edge protected, and keep the tower away from stairwell openings. Hard hats not needed unless overhead hazards are present. Non-slip footwear as the last line of defence.	Medium
Fall from hop-ups when plastering walls and the lower ceiling areas	Both operatives: sprains, fractures and head injuries from falling off a low platform.	Hop-ups inspected before use and placed on level floor.	3×3=9	Choose hop-ups of suitable height and size for the task, with a non-slip platform. Clear the floor of buckets, leads and spilt plaster before each move. Position the hop-up so that no reaching is needed, and move it rather than stretch (Work at Height Regulations 2005). No standing on buckets, boxes or the edges of the hop-up. Do not use the hop-up on stairs or landings. Non-slip footwear as backup.	Medium
Occupied domestic site: Mr & Mrs Ashworth, their family, visitors, children and pets entering the work area, and other trades if booked	Occupants and visitors, especially children and pets: slips, trips, contact with wet plaster, dust inhalation, contact with the tower, mixer or leads. Operatives: disturbance and interruption.	Work area sheeted and cordoned off. Main entrance and stairs used as the route.	3×3=9	Agree with the clients at the pre-start briefing which rooms are out of bounds and who will be at home. Install a physical barrier and signage at door openings and keep the room doors closed or sealed. Keep the cordon in place for the full job and do not leave open buckets, tools or plant in unsupervised areas. Never leave the mixer or transformer plugged in when unattended. Keep bags and materials inside the cordon and out of reach of children and pets. Check the cordon at every break and at the end of each shift. Tell the clients which areas have wet plaster. Protect the stair route with floor protection. Keep the operatives' own PPE at hand but do not rely on it for the household, who are protected by segregation.	Low
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from any cutting back, scraping, drilling or fixing into existing brick, block, concrete or plaster during preparation, and from dry cleaning	The two operatives doing the work and the occupants and anyone nearby breathing the dust: long-term lung disease including silicosis, lung cancer and COPD.	Rooms sheeted and cordoned. Rooms ventilated.	3×4=12	Plan the work to reduce cutting back, scraping and drilling to the minimum needed. Use on-tool extraction (M-class or H-class vacuum) or water suppression on every drill, chaser or saw used on these materials. Keep others out of the rooms and clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum or damp wiping, never dry sweeping or compressed air. Then use RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 (FFP3 disposable or equivalent), face-fit tested and worn clean shaven. Comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE Construction Information Sheet CIS36 'Construction dust'. The workplace exposure limit for RCS is 0.1 mg/m3 (8-hour TWA) in HSE EH40/2005.	Medium
General plaster dust from emptying bags and mixing, and from rubbing down, spreading to the rest of the occupied house	Operatives and household occupants: irritation to eyes, nose and throat, and aggravation of asthma or breathing conditions.	Rooms sheeted and cordoned.	4×2=8	Choose low-dust bagged products where available and open and tip bags slowly and low into the water. Mix in a contained, ventilated area with a lid or splash guard on the bucket. Seal the room doors and open the windows to the outside. Damp wipe or vacuum with an M-class or H-class vacuum, never dry sweep (COSHH 2002). Keep the household out of the mixing area. RPE as specified in the Safety Data Sheet, for example an FFP3 or FFP2 disposable, as a backup.	Low
Skin and eye contact with wet plaster, bonding coat and PVA, including splashes when working overhead on ceilings	Operatives: irritant or alkaline skin burns, dermatitis and eye injury. Anyone below the work: splashes.	Clean water available for washing. Operatives trained.	4×3=12	Use products with the lowest hazard rating where possible. Mix carefully with a splash guard on the bucket, and use a hawk and trowel techniques that limit dripping. Keep the area below the ceiling work clear. Provide clean water and an eye wash bottle at the work point. Wash hands and skin at breaks and at the end of the shift, and use barrier cream. Check skin for early signs of dermatitis weekly and report any soreness (COSHH 2002). Wear gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses or goggles to the standard in the Safety Data Sheet (for example BS EN 374 and BS EN 166) as the last line of defence.	Medium
Electric shock or fire from the 110V transformer, leads and electric paddle mixer used in wet conditions in a domestic setting	Operatives and household occupants: electric shock, burns or fire.	110V supply through a transformer. Equipment checked before use.	2×5=10	Use only 110V equipment with a transformer, sited off wet floors and away from water. Visually inspect all leads, plugs and the mixer before use and use only items with a current PAT test label (Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and PUWER 1998). Keep leads off the floor and clear of the mixing area and walking route. Do not use damaged equipment, and take it out of service at once. Isolate and unplug the mixer when cleaning or when unattended. Use a residual current device on the 230V supply feeding the transformer. Do not drill or cut into walls where cables or pipes may be hidden without checking with a cable and pipe detector. Rubber boots or insulating footwear if the floor is wet, as backup.	Medium
Manual handling of 25 kg bags of plaster, buckets of mixed plaster, the paddle mixer and tower components, including carrying up internal stairs	Both operatives: back, shoulder and arm injuries, and trips with loads.	Two operatives available. Stair route cleared.	4×3=12	Reduce the load by buying smaller bags where available, and mix in smaller batches. Store bags at the work area before work starts, delivering only what is needed for the day. Use a trolley or a carry by two for heavy bags, and carry one bag at a time on the stairs. Do not carry loads that block the view of the steps. Plan and rotate tasks to include rest breaks (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992). Gloves and safety boots (BS EN ISO 20345) as backup.	Medium
Slips, trips and falls from wet plaster, water, sheeting, leads and stairs in the work area and on the access route	Operatives and occupants: sprains, fractures and bruising.	Floor sheeted. Route from main entrance and stairs marked.	4×3=12	Use non-slip, taped-down floor protection. Keep the floor and stair route clear of leads, buckets and waste, and tidy as the work goes on. Mop and wipe up spilt plaster and water straight away, and use warning signs on wet floors. Route leads overhead or along walls rather than across the floor. Keep the cordon so the household is not on the route. Good lighting in the rooms and on the stairs. Non-slip safety footwear as backup.	Medium
Noise and hand-arm vibration from the electric paddle mixer and hand tools	The operative mixing: temporary hearing loss from noise, and hand-arm vibration over time.	Mixing in short batches. Equipment in good condition.	3×2=6	Use a well-maintained mixer with a lid or guard and keep mixing times short. Mix in an area away from the occupants and use a cut-off so that noise is limited to batches. Share the mixing between both operatives. Take breaks, and report numb or tingling hands (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and PUWER 1998). Hearing protection to BS EN 352 if the noise is intrusive, as backup.	Low
Disturbing unidentified asbestos-containing materials in existing walls, ceilings or coatings in a house of unconfirmed age while preparing the surfaces	Operatives, the household and anyone nearby: inhalation of asbestos fibres leading to serious lung disease, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, years later.	None until the check is completed.	2×5=10	Before work starts, S. Whitaker checks the client's asbestos register or management survey for both rooms. Where the register does not cover the area, a refurbishment survey of the area is needed before any work that disturbs the fabric (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 5). Brief both operatives on the stop-work rule: if suspect material is found, stop, keep people away and report it to S. Whitaker and the client before work carries on. No drilling, scraping or removal of existing coatings or boards until cleared. This is a check to be made and does not mean asbestos is present. Report any damage to suspect material found.	Medium
Falling tools, materials and plaster from the tower and hop-ups onto people below	The other operative and anyone entering the room: head and body injuries from falling items.	Cordon around the work area.	3×4=12	Keep the area beneath the tower clear while work is going on and keep the household out. Use a tower platform with toe boards and keep tools in a bucket or pouch. Do not leave loose items on the platform and pass tools up and down by hand or on a rope, not by throwing. Keep the platform tidy and do not overload it. Warn others in the room before moving the tower or lowering items. Hard hats if work above others cannot be avoided, as backup.	Low
Awkward posture, repeated overhead reaching and neck strain when skimming ceilings	Both operatives: shoulder, neck and back strain and fatigue, which also raises the risk of falls and mistakes.	Two operatives so tasks can be shared.	4×2=8	Set the tower height so the work is at a comfortable level and avoid working with arms fully raised for long. Rotate the tasks between ceilings and walls, and plan regular rest breaks. Use good lighting to cut the need to lean. Report pain or strain early to the supervisor (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992). Safety glasses to keep wet plaster out of the eyes as backup.	Low
Fire and blocked escape in an occupied house, including sheeting and cordons across the escape route and smoke alarms covered or disabled	Operatives, Mr & Mrs Ashworth, their family and visitors: smoke inhalation, burns and delayed escape.	Main entrance available as the escape route. Smoke alarms in the house.	2×5=10	Agree the escape route and fire assembly point with the clients at the pre-start walk. Keep the cordon, sheeting, bags and the tower clear of the escape route and fire doors. Do not cover or disable any smoke alarms. If dust sheeting covers an alarm, agree an alternative with the clients and remove the sheeting at the end of every shift. Keep waste packaging and sheeting out of the work area and removed from site, and keep a fire extinguisher or similar to hand. Unplug equipment at the end of the day.	Medium

4. COSHH assessment

Built on COSHH 2002 regulations 6 and 7 and HSE guidance L5.

Check each entry against the supplier's Safety Data Sheet before work starts. Take workplace exposure limits from HSE EH40/2005.

Bonding coat, multi-finish plaster and bagged undercoat (dry powder and wet mix)

Task or use: Opening and tipping bags, mixing with water using the electric paddle mixer, and applying the mix to walls and ceilings by hand with a hawk and trowel.
Route of exposure: Inhalation of dust when opening and mixing bags and when rubbing down. Skin contact with wet plaster. Eye contact through splashes, especially overhead. Ingestion from unwashed hands.
Who could be harmed: The two operatives mixing and applying the plaster, and household occupants if dust or splashes spread outside the cordon: irritation to skin, eyes and airways.
Hazards: Plaster dust and wet plaster can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat, and wet plaster can cause skin dryness, dermatitis or burns on prolonged contact. The exact hazards depend on the product, so check section 2 of the supplier's Safety Data Sheet.
Controls: Elimination and substitution: choose a low-dust or ready-mixed product where available, and mix only as much as is needed for each batch.
Engineering: mix in a contained, ventilated area with a lid or splash guard on the bucket, tip bags slowly and low, and clean up using a damp cloth or an M-class or H-class vacuum.
Administrative: limit the quantities held in the work area, keep occupants out of the cordoned rooms, wash hands and skin at breaks and at the end of the shift, use barrier cream, and do not eat or drink in the work area. Follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE's COSHH guidance (L5).
PPE: Gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses or goggles to the specification in the Safety Data Sheet
Suitable RPE for dust as specified in the Safety Data Sheet when emptying and mixing bags
Safety boots
Storage and disposal: Store bags dry, off the floor and out of reach of children and pets, inside the cordon or the operatives' vehicle, and close opened bags. Let leftover mix set and put it in the waste bags provided, and dispose of waste as directed in the Safety Data Sheet. Do not wash plaster down household drains or sinks.
First aid and spillage: Eyes: rinse immediately with clean water or eye wash for at least 10 minutes and get medical advice. Skin: wash off with clean water and report any burn or rash. Inhalation: move to fresh air. For spills, damp wipe or vacuum with an M-class or H-class vacuum, never dry sweep, and bag the waste. Follow the first aid advice in section 4 of the Safety Data Sheet.
Health surveillance: Skin checks for early signs of dermatitis are advised for regular use of wet plaster. Respiratory surveillance is not expected for this short job, but check the Safety Data Sheet and report any symptoms.
Check against the Safety Data Sheet: Before work starts, get the Safety Data Sheet for each bagged product used. Confirm the hazards in section 2, the PPE and RPE specification, first aid, spillage and disposal advice, and any content such as cement or lime. Take workplace exposure limits from HSE EH40/2005. Assessment under COSHH 2002 and HSE L5 (the COSHH Approved Code of Practice).

PVA

Task or use: Applying PVA by brush or roller as a bonding or sealing coat to wall and ceiling surfaces before plastering.
Route of exposure: Skin contact and eye contact through splashes and drips, especially overhead. Inhalation of vapour in a poorly ventilated room. Ingestion from unwashed hands.
Who could be harmed: The two operatives applying it: skin and eye irritation. Occupants if the cordon is breached.
Hazards: PVA products can irritate the skin and eyes and the exact hazards depend on the product, so check section 2 of the supplier's Safety Data Sheet.
Controls: Substitution: choose a water-based, low-odour product with the lowest hazard rating available.
Engineering: apply with the room ventilated through open windows and avoid spraying.
Administrative: limit the quantity open at one time, keep lids on the containers, keep others out of the room while applying and wash hands at breaks and at the end of the shift. Follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE's COSHH guidance (L5).
PPE: Gloves and safety glasses to the specification in the Safety Data Sheet
Long sleeves or overalls
Storage and disposal: Keep containers closed, upright and out of reach of children and pets, and away from frost and heat. Let small amounts of leftover dry in the container and dispose of as directed in the Safety Data Sheet. Do not pour down household drains.
First aid and spillage: Eyes: rinse with clean water for at least 10 minutes and get medical advice if irritation continues. Skin: wash with soap and water. Spillage: soak up with absorbent material, bag it and clean the surface. Follow section 4 of the Safety Data Sheet.
Health surveillance: None is expected for the short use of PVA on this job. Report any skin problems to the supervisor.
Check against the Safety Data Sheet: Before work starts, confirm from the Safety Data Sheet the hazards in section 2, the PPE specification, ventilation advice, spillage and disposal advice. Take workplace exposure limits from HSE EH40/2005. Assessment under COSHH 2002 and HSE L5 (the COSHH Approved Code of Practice).

Respirable crystalline silica dust created by cutting back, scraping, drilling or fixing into existing brick, block, concrete or plaster

Task or use: Dust created during any surface preparation that cuts back, drills or fixes into existing masonry or plaster, and from dry cleaning up afterwards. It is not created by the plastering itself.
Route of exposure: Inhalation of fine dust that reaches deep into the lungs.
Who could be harmed: The two operatives, and the occupants or anyone nearby who breathes the dust: lung disease that develops over years.
Hazards: Breathing in fine silica dust over time can cause serious and permanent lung disease, including silicosis, lung cancer and COPD. Check the Safety Data Sheet or supplier information for any product that creates the dust.
Controls: Elimination: plan the preparation to avoid cutting back, drilling and chasing wherever possible.
Engineering: on-tool extraction with an M-class or H-class vacuum or water suppression on every tool used, and keep the rooms sealed and ventilated.
Administrative: keep others out of the rooms, limit the number of people and the time exposed, and clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum or damp wiping, never dry sweeping or compressed air. Follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE's COSHH guidance (L5).
PPE: RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 (FFP3 disposable or equivalent), face-fit tested and worn clean shaven
Safety glasses and overalls that are washed or disposed of, not shaken out in the house
Storage and disposal: Collect dust and debris using the vacuum or damp methods, bag it and remove from site as construction waste. Empty vacuum filters carefully outside the house and follow the supplier's instructions.
First aid and spillage: Move anyone affected to fresh air and seek medical advice if breathing is affected. For dust deposits, wet wipe or vacuum with an M-class or H-class vacuum, and do not dry sweep or blow it away.
Health surveillance: Respiratory health surveillance is generally required for regular or significant silica exposure. None is expected for occasional, short exposure on this job with the controls in place, but the supervisor confirms this against the actual work and records any symptoms.
Check against the Safety Data Sheet: Before work starts, confirm from the supplier's information or the Safety Data Sheet whether the materials being cut contain silica, the RPE specification and the disposal advice. Take workplace exposure limits from HSE EH40/2005. Assessment under COSHH 2002 and HSE L5 (the COSHH Approved Code of Practice).

5. Plant & equipment

Mobile access tower (PASMA, built to manufacturer's instructions and inspected and tagged)
Hop-ups (inspected before each use)
Electric paddle mixer (110V)
Transformer and 110V leads, with current inspection or PAT labels
Hand tools: trowels, hawks, floats, brushes, buckets
M-class or H-class vacuum with on-tool extraction connection
Cable and pipe detector
First aid kit and eye wash
Dust sheets, floor protection, tape and warning signs
Fire extinguisher

6. Materials / COSHH

Materials in use: bonding coat, multi-finish plaster, bagged undercoat (all mixed on site), PVA and clean water. Detailed COSHH assessments are given for the bagged plasters, PVA and any silica dust made by surface preparation. Safety Data Sheets for each product must be on site before work starts.

7. PPE

Safety footwear to BS EN ISO 20345, non-slip sole
Gloves suited to wet plaster and to the Safety Data Sheet
Safety glasses or goggles to BS EN 166
RPE: FFP3 (or equivalent) face-fit tested for silica dust, and as specified in the Safety Data Sheet for plaster dust
Long sleeves or overalls
Hearing protection to BS EN 352 when noise is intrusive
Hard hat if work above others cannot be avoided
High-visibility clothing is not needed in the house unless the Principal Contractor requires it

8. Competence & training

Both operatives hold a CSCS card and S. Whitaker holds NVQ Level 2 Plastering. The operatives are PASMA trained for the mobile access tower. All operatives are briefed on this RAMS before work starts, including the asbestos stop-work rule, silica controls, the tower and hop-up rules and emergency arrangements. Face-fit test records for the RPE are held. Operatives who have not used the tower or the mixer on this site get an induction from S. Whitaker before starting.

9. Permits

No formal permits are expected for this work.
The client's consent to use the WC, the house water supply and the electrical supply is agreed before work starts.
Asbestos register or management survey for both rooms confirmed by S. Whitaker with the client before work starts. If it does not cover the area, work that disturbs the fabric does not start until a survey has been done.
Items to confirm, on the pre-start walk: ceiling heights and floor finish, whether any cutting back or drilling is needed, who will be at home, and the full site postcode.

10. Access & egress

Access is via the main entrance and the internal stairs. The route is protected with floor protection and kept clear of materials, leads and waste. The work area is sheeted and cordoned. The escape route to the main entrance is agreed with the clients, kept free at all times and the cordon must not block it. The tower is built in the room and not moved with people or materials on it. Materials are carried up one bag at a time on the stairs, with the operatives not carrying loads that block their view.

11. Welfare

The client's WC is available by arrangement with Mr & Mrs Ashworth, to be agreed before work starts. The operatives use their vehicle-based provisions for drinking water, hand washing, rest and meal breaks. Wash hands and skin after plastering, before eating, drinking or smoking and at the end of the shift. Operatives take off dusty or wet outer clothing before going into the rest of the house.

12. First aid

A first aid kit and an eye wash bottle are kept on site in the work area or the operatives' vehicle. S. Whitaker is the first point of contact and a named first aider is confirmed at the pre-start briefing. Eyes splashed with plaster are rinsed straight away with clean water for at least 10 minutes and medical advice is sought. Any injury, however minor, is reported to S. Whitaker and recorded in the accident book. Serious injuries are dealt with by calling 999.

13. Emergency procedures

In an emergency, stop work, make safe if it is safe to do so and raise the alarm. If there is a fire, leave by the agreed escape route to the assembly point outside, call 999 and account for the operatives and household. Do not re-enter. For a fall from height, do not move the casualty unless there is danger, call 999 and give first aid. For electric shock, switch off the supply if it is safe and call 999. If suspect asbestos material is found, stop work, keep people away from the area, and report it to S. Whitaker and the clients. The full site address and postcode are confirmed on day one so that they can be given to the emergency services.

14. Environmental

Keep dust inside the cordoned rooms with sealed doorways and floor protection. Do not wash tools or buckets in household sinks, baths or drains. Wash them in a bucket, let the solids settle and set, and remove the waste from site. Bag plaster waste, packaging and sheeting and take it away in the operatives' vehicle as construction waste, under the Duty of Care. Keep materials dry and stored off the ground. Prevent plaster or waste water entering outside drains or gardens. Keep noise within reasonable hours, agreed with the clients and neighbours.

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.

Plastering method statement: what it covers

Other samples:Electrical Groundworks Roofing Scaffolding Flat roofing See all 20

Want one like this for your job?

Get your RAMS– it's freeFirst document free, then £15 each. No subscription.