Scaffolding method statement example: erect and dismantle access scaffold, two-storey house

HSE five steps · CDM 2015

You write this: Erect, adapt and dismantle an independent tied access scaffold to the front and rear elevations of an occupied two-storey domestic property to allow roof strip and re-cover works by others.
You get this: Apex Access Scaffolding Ltd (author and competent person M. Doyle, Contracts Manager, CISRS Advanced Scaffolder) will erect, adapt and dismantle an independent tied access scaffold to the front and rear elevations of an occupied two-storey domestic property at 24 Sycamore Avenue, Leeds, to allow roof strip and re-cover works by others. Client and principal contractor: Redwood Roofing Contractors. Project reference AAS-2087. Start Tuesday 23 June 2026: 2 days to erect, roof works by others, then 1 day to dismantle. Three CISRS carded operatives will carry out the work. The house stays occupied, so residents, the public on the footway and Redwood's roofers must be kept safe throughout. The work is controlled by the risk assessment and method below. Items to confirm before work starts: the full site postcode and vehicle access or parking; the age of the building and the client's asbestos register or management survey for the tie and fixing positions; the type and positions of ties and whether any drilling into masonry is needed; the position of the overhead electricity service cable, meter boxes, gas meter, boiler flues, external taps and drains; ground conditions and sole board needs; whether any part of the scaffold sits on the footway or highway and whether a licence is needed; the scaffold design basis and the loading class needed for the roofers; household details (children, vulnerable people, pets) and how residents will get in and out; the WC arrangement; and each operative's asbestos awareness and face-fit test records. M. Doyle confirms these with Redwood Roofing Contractors and the householder on the pre-start walk, before work begins on 23 June 2026.

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	Apex Access Scaffolding Ltd
Author	M. Doyle, Contracts Manager (CISRS Advanced Scaffolder)
Client / Principal Contractor	Redwood Roofing Contractors
Site	24 Sycamore Avenue, Leeds LS8 2R**
Project reference	AAS-2087
Start / duration	Tue 23 Jun 2026 / 2 days (erect), roof works by others, 1 day (dismantle)

1. Scope of works

Apex Access Scaffolding Ltd (author and competent person M. Doyle, Contracts Manager, CISRS Advanced Scaffolder) will erect, adapt and dismantle an independent tied access scaffold to the front and rear elevations of an occupied two-storey domestic property at 24 Sycamore Avenue, Leeds, to allow roof strip and re-cover works by others. Client and principal contractor: Redwood Roofing Contractors. Project reference AAS-2087. Start Tuesday 23 June 2026: 2 days to erect, roof works by others, then 1 day to dismantle. Three CISRS carded operatives will carry out the work. The house stays occupied, so residents, the public on the footway and Redwood's roofers must be kept safe throughout. The work is controlled by the risk assessment and method below. Items to confirm before work starts: the full site postcode and vehicle access or parking; the age of the building and the client's asbestos register or management survey for the tie and fixing positions; the type and positions of ties and whether any drilling into masonry is needed; the position of the overhead electricity service cable, meter boxes, gas meter, boiler flues, external taps and drains; ground conditions and sole board needs; whether any part of the scaffold sits on the footway or highway and whether a licence is needed; the scaffold design basis and the loading class needed for the roofers; household details (children, vulnerable people, pets) and how residents will get in and out; the WC arrangement; and each operative's asbestos awareness and face-fit test records. M. Doyle confirms these with Redwood Roofing Contractors and the householder on the pre-start walk, before work begins on 23 June 2026.

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Before the start date, M. Doyle checks the client's asbestos register or management survey for the wall and eaves areas where ties will be fixed. If the register does not cover the area, a refurbishment survey of that area is needed before any drilling or fixing. Record the result on the pre-start checklist.
Carry out a pre-start walk with Redwood Roofing Contractors and the householder. Agree where the scaffold goes, the tie positions, the exclusion zone, the resident access route, material storage, the WC arrangement and the position of overhead cables, meters, flues, taps and drains.
Confirm the scaffold design or TG20 basis, the loading class and the number of lifts with the Redwood supervisor. Apply for the highways licence only if the footway is to be used.
Hold a briefing for all three operatives. Cover this RAMS, the rescue plan, the exclusion zones, the no-go distance from the overhead cable, the stop-work rule for suspect materials and who is in charge. Everyone signs on.
Tell the residents the work times, where scaffolders will be, which doors and windows to keep shut and how to reach the front and rear doors. Agree a contact number.
Set up the exclusion zone with barriers and signs on the footway side, driveway and garden. Put a safe, protected walkway in place for residents and visitors if the scaffold crosses their route.
Unload tube, fittings and boards in short runs from the vehicle. Stack them flat and off the footway and walkways. Keep the stack clear of the meter boxes, flues and overhead cable.
Check the ground. Lay sole boards and base plates level on firm ground. Keep clear of drains, covers and soft areas. Set out the first lift with the bays and ladder access positions.
Build the first lift, then board it fully. Fit toe boards and double guardrails to every working lift as you go. Use advance guardrails or temporary handrails from the lift below before stepping up to the next level where the system allows.
Install ties as the scaffold rises, at the agreed positions and spacing. Use through, reveal or box ties where the design allows to avoid drilling. Where drilling into masonry is unavoidable, use on-tool dust extraction or water suppression. Stop work immediately if any suspect material is found, keep people away and report it to M. Doyle and Redwood before work carries on.
Pass materials up with hand-to-hand lifting for light items and a gin wheel and rope for heavier ones. Tie the rope off and keep the area below clear. Never throw or drop tube or fittings.
Fit ladder access bays with ladders tied, extending at least 1 m above the landing, and ladder hatches or gates. Fit brick guards, debris netting and any screening needed to protect the house, neighbours and the footway.
Complete the scaffold to the eaves and the agreed roof level, with guardrails at the top lift for the roofers. Check that boiler flues, vents and meter boxes are not blocked or covered.
The competent person inspects the whole scaffold, checks the ties and the structure, and signs the scaffold handover certificate. Fit a scaffold tag at each access point. Brief the Redwood supervisor on the loading limit and that nobody else may alter the scaffold.
During the roof works, the scaffold is not altered by anyone else. If an adaptation is needed, such as a loading platform, extra tie or lift, Apex scaffolders carry it out. Clear the affected bay of roofers and materials first. Re-inspect and re-sign the handover after any change.
Inspect the scaffold at least every 7 days, and after high winds, heavy rain, frost or any impact. Record the inspections. Take the scaffold out of use and tag it if it is unsafe.
Before dismantling, confirm with Redwood that the roof works are complete and the scaffold has been cleared of tiles, waste and materials. Re-brief the operatives, reset the exclusion zone and tell the residents.
Dismantle from the top down, one lift at a time. Strip each lift completely and keep guardrails in place on the lift being worked from. Remove ties last as each level comes down. Lower tube and boards with the gin wheel or hand to hand. Never drop them.
Tidy as you go. Stack and remove the tube from site by the pallet or in bundles. Sweep up and make good the garden, drives and footway. Remove the barriers and signs and check that drains, flues and meters have been left clear.
Report any damage to the property to Redwood and the householder. Hand back the area and record completion.

3. Risk assessment

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

Working at height: falls from the scaffold or ladders during erection, adaptation and dismantling
Medium
Who / how
The three scaffolders. A fall from the two-storey height could cause fatal or life-changing injury.
Existing controls
CISRS carded, SG4 trained operatives. Competent supervisor in charge. Ladder access bays within the scaffold.
L×S
4×5=20
Additional controls
Avoid work at height wherever possible by pre-assembling and by using a build sequence that keeps people inside guardrails. Fit advance guardrails or temporary handrails before stepping up to the next lift. Board each lift fully, with toe boards and double guardrails, before it is used. Access only through ladder bays, never climb the outside. Check weather and the ground before starting each lift. Sound ladder, tied and extending 1 m above the landing. A rescue plan is briefed to everyone before work. Where guardrails cannot be in place, use a harness and double lanyard (BS EN 361 and BS EN 355) clipped to the structure, as a last line of defence per SG4. Comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Working at height: scaffold instability, collapse or overloading
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders, roofers on the scaffold, residents and passers-by if it fell.
Existing controls
Competent person designs and supervises. Ties fixed as the scaffold rises. Handover certificate to be issued.
L×S
3×5=15
Additional controls
Confirm the design or TG20 basis and loading class with Redwood before starting. Use sole boards and base plates on firm, level ground, kept clear of drains and soft areas. Tie at the agreed pattern and check ties by pull test. Do not allow materials to be stacked beyond the limit on the handover certificate. Tell Redwood the scaffold must not be altered by others. Inspect before handover, at least every 7 days and after adverse weather, and record it (Work at Height Regulations 2005). Tag the scaffold and take it out of use if unsafe. Review the loading with the roofers if the plans change.
Occupied site: residents of the house, including any children, elderly or vulnerable people, and visitors, moving around the scaffold, drive, garden and doors
Medium
Who / how
Residents, visitors, deliveries and pets could be struck by falling items, trip over materials or enter the working area.
Existing controls
Pre-start walk planned with the householder. Residents told when work takes place.
L×S
3×3=9
Additional controls
Agree a safe route to the front and rear doors with the householder. Fence off the working area with barriers, signs and a lockable gate. Schedule noisy or high-risk tasks (tube handling, drilling) when the route is clear or temporarily closed with a banksman. Fit a protected walkway with a fan or boarded cover where people have to pass under the scaffold. Keep fire escape routes from the house open. Keep doors and windows near drilling shut. Provide a contact number for residents. Hi-vis and boots for operatives as a backup.
Public and other trades nearby: pedestrians on the footway, neighbours, and Redwood's roofers working at the same time
Medium
Who / how
Passers-by including children and people with prams or mobility aids, neighbours, and roofers who may use or alter the scaffold.
Existing controls
Highways licence to be obtained if the footway is used. Redwood is the principal contractor.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Use barriers, signs and a safe pedestrian route kept clear of the work area. Use a banksman when tube or boards cross the footway. Fit brick guards, toe boards, debris netting and a fan or covered walkway where people pass beneath the scaffold. Agree with Redwood in writing that only Apex scaffolders may alter or adapt the scaffold. Roofers are told the loading limit and the area they may use at handover. Clear bays and the footway before dismantling. Comply with CDM 2015 duties on co-operation and co-ordination with the principal contractor.
Live services (electricity): contact with the overhead electricity service cable, meter box or external electrical equipment while carrying or fixing tube
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders and anyone touching the scaffold. Electric shock or burns could be fatal.
Existing controls
Pre-start walk to find services. Operatives trained to be aware of services.
L×S
2×5=10
Additional controls
Find the service cable, meter and consumer unit positions at the pre-start walk and mark them on the briefing sketch. Avoid building within reach of the overhead cable where the design allows. If tube must be handled near it, ask the electricity distributor (call 105) to make safe or insulate the cable before starting. Carry tube horizontally and low, and never raise tube vertically near overhead cables. Follow the HSE guidance GS6, Avoiding danger from overhead power lines. Keep ties and tubes clear of cable runs, meter boxes and external lights. Comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Stop and call the distributor if a cable is damaged. Insulating gloves are not a substitute for these controls.
Live services (gas and water): damage to the gas meter, boiler flue, vents, external taps, pipes or drains, and hitting hidden pipes or cables when drilling for ties
Low
Who / how
Residents and scaffolders. Gas escape, flooding, loss of supply and carbon monoxide from a blocked flue could cause serious harm.
Existing controls
Services identified on the pre-start walk. Ties kept away from visible pipes.
L×S
2×4=8
Additional controls
Mark meter boxes, flues, vents, taps and drain covers on the plan. Keep scaffold tube and boards clear of flue terminals and vents, and never board across a flue outlet. Use through or reveal ties where possible to avoid drilling. Where drilling is needed, scan the wall for hidden pipes and cables first, and drill from the outside after checking the inside route. Do not fix ties through or beside service runs. Protect the meter box and external taps with guards. If gas is smelt, stop, keep ignition sources away, ventilate, evacuate and call the National Gas Emergency number 0800 111 999.
Falling objects: tubes, fittings, boards, tools or roofing debris dropping from the scaffold or being lifted with the gin wheel
Medium
Who / how
Operatives below, residents, passers-by and roofers. Serious head and body injury is possible.
Existing controls
Hard hats worn. Gin wheel and rope available. Area below kept clear by the operatives.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Fit toe boards, brick guards and debris netting on all working lifts. Set up the exclusion zone under the work area, with a banksman where needed. Lift only with a sound gin wheel and rope, tied off, with a safe working load not exceeded. Never throw tube or fittings. Hand light items hand to hand. Keep tools on belts, lanyards or in bags. Roofers are told to keep the boards clear of tiles and waste. Check the gin wheel and rope before each use (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). Hard hats to BS EN 397 as a backup.
Manual handling: carrying scaffold tube, fittings and boards, and passing them up the scaffold
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders. Back and shoulder strains and crush injuries to hands and feet.
Existing controls
Experienced scaffolders. Handling trained.
L×S
4×3=12
Additional controls
Plan the loads so that tube lengths and board counts are sensible. Use two-person lifts for long tube and boards. Use the gin wheel for heavy items to avoid carrying them up ladders. Stack materials close to the point of use to cut carrying distance. Rotate tasks and take breaks. Comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Gloves (BS EN 388) and safety boots as a backup.
Slips, trips and falls on the same level: tube and fittings stored on the ground, uneven garden, drive or footway, wet or icy surfaces
Low
Who / how
Scaffolders, residents and passers-by.
Existing controls
Operatives look out for ground hazards. Stacks kept tidy.
L×S
4×2=8
Additional controls
Agree one storage area off the access route and stack tube neatly. Keep boards, ladders and bays clear of loose items. Tidy as you go and at the end of each day. Remove ice, leaves or mud from walking routes and board edges, or delay work until safe. Light the area in poor light. Keep a clear, level route for residents. Sound boots with good grip (BS EN ISO 20345).
Weather: high wind, rain, ice or poor light affecting the scaffold, netting and the operatives
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders, roofers, residents and passers-by.
Existing controls
Weather forecast checked before work. Supervisor can stop work.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Check the forecast the day before and on the day. Stop work at height in high winds, ice or heavy rain, and make the scaffold safe. Tie sheeting or netting only to the design allowed, since it increases wind load. Re-inspect the scaffold after severe weather before anyone uses it again. Schedule the erect and dismantle on days with suitable weather where possible. Warm, waterproof clothing and gloves as a backup.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from drilling into brick, block, render or mortar for scaffold ties, and from cleaning up
Medium
Who / how
The operatives drilling and anyone nearby, including residents and neighbours, who may breathe the dust. Long-term lung disease may follow repeated exposure.
Existing controls
Drilling kept to the minimum. Operatives trained in dust awareness.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Plan the ties to reduce drilling, using through, reveal or box ties where the design allows. Where drilling into masonry is unavoidable, use on-tool extraction (M-class or H-class vacuum) or water suppression on every drill. Keep others away from the drilling area, keep nearby doors and windows closed and clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum, 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.
Disturbing unidentified asbestos-containing materials when drilling or fixing ties into the existing building (walls, soffits, eaves, fascia boards, textured coatings)
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders, residents, roofers and neighbours if fibres were released. Serious long-term lung disease is possible.
Existing controls
Ties fixed to sound masonry where possible. Operatives have awareness training to be confirmed.
L×S
2×5=10
Additional controls
Before work starts, check the client's asbestos register or management survey for the tie and fixing areas. If the register does not cover them, a refurbishment survey of that area is needed first (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, identifying asbestos before work). Do not drill into soffits, boards or coatings that are not covered. Stop-work rule: if suspect material is found, stop, keep people away and report it to M. Doyle and Redwood before work carries on. Use fixings and ties that avoid disturbing eaves materials where the design allows. This is a check to be made, not a finding.
Noise and hand-arm vibration from drilling and tightening tools when fixing ties and fittings
Low
Who / how
Scaffolders using the tools, and residents and neighbours who hear the noise.
Existing controls
Drilling is short and occasional. Tools maintained.
L×S
2×2=4
Additional controls
Use through or reveal ties to reduce drilling. Use sharp bits and well-maintained tools, and limit trigger time. Rotate who drills. Agree noisy tasks with residents and Redwood, outside any sensitive times. Follow the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Hearing protection (BS EN 352) when drilling, as a backup.
Hand tools and fittings: cuts, pinches, crush injuries and trapped hands and fingers when tightening and handling couplers, tube and boards
Low
Who / how
Scaffolders.
Existing controls
Experienced operatives. Tools checked before use.
L×S
3×2=6
Additional controls
Check hand tools, podgers and spanners before use and remove damaged ones. Keep tools on a belt or in a holder. Deburr or replace damaged fittings. Keep hands clear of pinch points when lowering boards and tube, and use correct handling methods. Check tools under PUWER 1998. Gloves (BS EN 388) as a backup.
Adapting the scaffold while roofers are working on or near it
Medium
Who / how
Scaffolders, roofers and anyone below if the structure is altered unsafely or loaded unexpectedly.
Existing controls
Redwood is told that only Apex may alter the scaffold. Handover certificate in place.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Agree a request process with Redwood: roofers do not remove boards, guardrails, ties or toe boards. Clear the bay of people and materials before any adaptation. Fit extra ties or guardrails before removing the old. Re-inspect and re-sign the handover certificate before the bay is handed back. Keep a log of changes. Brief all roofers at handover and on any change. Comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Unauthorised access to the scaffold, such as by children, neighbours or intruders, climbing into upper floor windows and the roof
Medium
Who / how
Children and members of the public who may climb and fall, and residents whose home may be less secure.
Existing controls
Gate to the front of the scaffold. Residents told to keep windows closed.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
At the end of each day remove or lift the access ladders and fit ladder guards or a lockable gate or hatch, or board the bottom lift across the access. Fit anti-climb measures and signs on the bottom lift. Tell the householder how access to windows is protected. Check security at the start and end of each day. Keep the exclusion zone barriers in place. Check the guards again after any adaptation.
Loading and unloading delivery vehicles on the road, drive or footway, and reversing vehicles
Medium
Who / how
Operatives, passers-by, residents and neighbours. Being struck by a vehicle or by loads.
Existing controls
Operatives trained in loading. Vehicle parked where agreed.
L×S
3×4=12
Additional controls
Agree the vehicle position and delivery time with Redwood and the householder. Use a banksman for reversing and loading, and close or protect the footway during unloading. Keep unloading time short. Use barriers and signs. Stack the loads on stable ground and lift in manageable loads. Hi-vis clothing (BS EN ISO 20471) as a backup.

Risk assessment: hazards, who may be harmed, controls and residual risk
Hazard	Who / how	Existing controls	L×S	Additional controls	Residual
Working at height: falls from the scaffold or ladders during erection, adaptation and dismantling	The three scaffolders. A fall from the two-storey height could cause fatal or life-changing injury.	CISRS carded, SG4 trained operatives. Competent supervisor in charge. Ladder access bays within the scaffold.	4×5=20	Avoid work at height wherever possible by pre-assembling and by using a build sequence that keeps people inside guardrails. Fit advance guardrails or temporary handrails before stepping up to the next lift. Board each lift fully, with toe boards and double guardrails, before it is used. Access only through ladder bays, never climb the outside. Check weather and the ground before starting each lift. Sound ladder, tied and extending 1 m above the landing. A rescue plan is briefed to everyone before work. Where guardrails cannot be in place, use a harness and double lanyard (BS EN 361 and BS EN 355) clipped to the structure, as a last line of defence per SG4. Comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.	Medium
Working at height: scaffold instability, collapse or overloading	Scaffolders, roofers on the scaffold, residents and passers-by if it fell.	Competent person designs and supervises. Ties fixed as the scaffold rises. Handover certificate to be issued.	3×5=15	Confirm the design or TG20 basis and loading class with Redwood before starting. Use sole boards and base plates on firm, level ground, kept clear of drains and soft areas. Tie at the agreed pattern and check ties by pull test. Do not allow materials to be stacked beyond the limit on the handover certificate. Tell Redwood the scaffold must not be altered by others. Inspect before handover, at least every 7 days and after adverse weather, and record it (Work at Height Regulations 2005). Tag the scaffold and take it out of use if unsafe. Review the loading with the roofers if the plans change.	Medium
Occupied site: residents of the house, including any children, elderly or vulnerable people, and visitors, moving around the scaffold, drive, garden and doors	Residents, visitors, deliveries and pets could be struck by falling items, trip over materials or enter the working area.	Pre-start walk planned with the householder. Residents told when work takes place.	3×3=9	Agree a safe route to the front and rear doors with the householder. Fence off the working area with barriers, signs and a lockable gate. Schedule noisy or high-risk tasks (tube handling, drilling) when the route is clear or temporarily closed with a banksman. Fit a protected walkway with a fan or boarded cover where people have to pass under the scaffold. Keep fire escape routes from the house open. Keep doors and windows near drilling shut. Provide a contact number for residents. Hi-vis and boots for operatives as a backup.	Medium
Public and other trades nearby: pedestrians on the footway, neighbours, and Redwood's roofers working at the same time	Passers-by including children and people with prams or mobility aids, neighbours, and roofers who may use or alter the scaffold.	Highways licence to be obtained if the footway is used. Redwood is the principal contractor.	3×4=12	Use barriers, signs and a safe pedestrian route kept clear of the work area. Use a banksman when tube or boards cross the footway. Fit brick guards, toe boards, debris netting and a fan or covered walkway where people pass beneath the scaffold. Agree with Redwood in writing that only Apex scaffolders may alter or adapt the scaffold. Roofers are told the loading limit and the area they may use at handover. Clear bays and the footway before dismantling. Comply with CDM 2015 duties on co-operation and co-ordination with the principal contractor.	Medium
Live services (electricity): contact with the overhead electricity service cable, meter box or external electrical equipment while carrying or fixing tube	Scaffolders and anyone touching the scaffold. Electric shock or burns could be fatal.	Pre-start walk to find services. Operatives trained to be aware of services.	2×5=10	Find the service cable, meter and consumer unit positions at the pre-start walk and mark them on the briefing sketch. Avoid building within reach of the overhead cable where the design allows. If tube must be handled near it, ask the electricity distributor (call 105) to make safe or insulate the cable before starting. Carry tube horizontally and low, and never raise tube vertically near overhead cables. Follow the HSE guidance GS6, Avoiding danger from overhead power lines. Keep ties and tubes clear of cable runs, meter boxes and external lights. Comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Stop and call the distributor if a cable is damaged. Insulating gloves are not a substitute for these controls.	Medium
Live services (gas and water): damage to the gas meter, boiler flue, vents, external taps, pipes or drains, and hitting hidden pipes or cables when drilling for ties	Residents and scaffolders. Gas escape, flooding, loss of supply and carbon monoxide from a blocked flue could cause serious harm.	Services identified on the pre-start walk. Ties kept away from visible pipes.	2×4=8	Mark meter boxes, flues, vents, taps and drain covers on the plan. Keep scaffold tube and boards clear of flue terminals and vents, and never board across a flue outlet. Use through or reveal ties where possible to avoid drilling. Where drilling is needed, scan the wall for hidden pipes and cables first, and drill from the outside after checking the inside route. Do not fix ties through or beside service runs. Protect the meter box and external taps with guards. If gas is smelt, stop, keep ignition sources away, ventilate, evacuate and call the National Gas Emergency number 0800 111 999.	Low
Falling objects: tubes, fittings, boards, tools or roofing debris dropping from the scaffold or being lifted with the gin wheel	Operatives below, residents, passers-by and roofers. Serious head and body injury is possible.	Hard hats worn. Gin wheel and rope available. Area below kept clear by the operatives.	3×4=12	Fit toe boards, brick guards and debris netting on all working lifts. Set up the exclusion zone under the work area, with a banksman where needed. Lift only with a sound gin wheel and rope, tied off, with a safe working load not exceeded. Never throw tube or fittings. Hand light items hand to hand. Keep tools on belts, lanyards or in bags. Roofers are told to keep the boards clear of tiles and waste. Check the gin wheel and rope before each use (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). Hard hats to BS EN 397 as a backup.	Medium
Manual handling: carrying scaffold tube, fittings and boards, and passing them up the scaffold	Scaffolders. Back and shoulder strains and crush injuries to hands and feet.	Experienced scaffolders. Handling trained.	4×3=12	Plan the loads so that tube lengths and board counts are sensible. Use two-person lifts for long tube and boards. Use the gin wheel for heavy items to avoid carrying them up ladders. Stack materials close to the point of use to cut carrying distance. Rotate tasks and take breaks. Comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Gloves (BS EN 388) and safety boots as a backup.	Medium
Slips, trips and falls on the same level: tube and fittings stored on the ground, uneven garden, drive or footway, wet or icy surfaces	Scaffolders, residents and passers-by.	Operatives look out for ground hazards. Stacks kept tidy.	4×2=8	Agree one storage area off the access route and stack tube neatly. Keep boards, ladders and bays clear of loose items. Tidy as you go and at the end of each day. Remove ice, leaves or mud from walking routes and board edges, or delay work until safe. Light the area in poor light. Keep a clear, level route for residents. Sound boots with good grip (BS EN ISO 20345).	Low
Weather: high wind, rain, ice or poor light affecting the scaffold, netting and the operatives	Scaffolders, roofers, residents and passers-by.	Weather forecast checked before work. Supervisor can stop work.	3×4=12	Check the forecast the day before and on the day. Stop work at height in high winds, ice or heavy rain, and make the scaffold safe. Tie sheeting or netting only to the design allowed, since it increases wind load. Re-inspect the scaffold after severe weather before anyone uses it again. Schedule the erect and dismantle on days with suitable weather where possible. Warm, waterproof clothing and gloves as a backup.	Medium
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from drilling into brick, block, render or mortar for scaffold ties, and from cleaning up	The operatives drilling and anyone nearby, including residents and neighbours, who may breathe the dust. Long-term lung disease may follow repeated exposure.	Drilling kept to the minimum. Operatives trained in dust awareness.	3×4=12	Plan the ties to reduce drilling, using through, reveal or box ties where the design allows. Where drilling into masonry is unavoidable, use on-tool extraction (M-class or H-class vacuum) or water suppression on every drill. Keep others away from the drilling area, keep nearby doors and windows closed and clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum, 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
Disturbing unidentified asbestos-containing materials when drilling or fixing ties into the existing building (walls, soffits, eaves, fascia boards, textured coatings)	Scaffolders, residents, roofers and neighbours if fibres were released. Serious long-term lung disease is possible.	Ties fixed to sound masonry where possible. Operatives have awareness training to be confirmed.	2×5=10	Before work starts, check the client's asbestos register or management survey for the tie and fixing areas. If the register does not cover them, a refurbishment survey of that area is needed first (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, identifying asbestos before work). Do not drill into soffits, boards or coatings that are not covered. Stop-work rule: if suspect material is found, stop, keep people away and report it to M. Doyle and Redwood before work carries on. Use fixings and ties that avoid disturbing eaves materials where the design allows. This is a check to be made, not a finding.	Medium
Noise and hand-arm vibration from drilling and tightening tools when fixing ties and fittings	Scaffolders using the tools, and residents and neighbours who hear the noise.	Drilling is short and occasional. Tools maintained.	2×2=4	Use through or reveal ties to reduce drilling. Use sharp bits and well-maintained tools, and limit trigger time. Rotate who drills. Agree noisy tasks with residents and Redwood, outside any sensitive times. Follow the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Hearing protection (BS EN 352) when drilling, as a backup.	Low
Hand tools and fittings: cuts, pinches, crush injuries and trapped hands and fingers when tightening and handling couplers, tube and boards	Scaffolders.	Experienced operatives. Tools checked before use.	3×2=6	Check hand tools, podgers and spanners before use and remove damaged ones. Keep tools on a belt or in a holder. Deburr or replace damaged fittings. Keep hands clear of pinch points when lowering boards and tube, and use correct handling methods. Check tools under PUWER 1998. Gloves (BS EN 388) as a backup.	Low
Adapting the scaffold while roofers are working on or near it	Scaffolders, roofers and anyone below if the structure is altered unsafely or loaded unexpectedly.	Redwood is told that only Apex may alter the scaffold. Handover certificate in place.	3×4=12	Agree a request process with Redwood: roofers do not remove boards, guardrails, ties or toe boards. Clear the bay of people and materials before any adaptation. Fit extra ties or guardrails before removing the old. Re-inspect and re-sign the handover certificate before the bay is handed back. Keep a log of changes. Brief all roofers at handover and on any change. Comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.	Medium
Unauthorised access to the scaffold, such as by children, neighbours or intruders, climbing into upper floor windows and the roof	Children and members of the public who may climb and fall, and residents whose home may be less secure.	Gate to the front of the scaffold. Residents told to keep windows closed.	3×4=12	At the end of each day remove or lift the access ladders and fit ladder guards or a lockable gate or hatch, or board the bottom lift across the access. Fit anti-climb measures and signs on the bottom lift. Tell the householder how access to windows is protected. Check security at the start and end of each day. Keep the exclusion zone barriers in place. Check the guards again after any adaptation.	Medium
Loading and unloading delivery vehicles on the road, drive or footway, and reversing vehicles	Operatives, passers-by, residents and neighbours. Being struck by a vehicle or by loads.	Operatives trained in loading. Vehicle parked where agreed.	3×4=12	Agree the vehicle position and delivery time with Redwood and the householder. Use a banksman for reversing and loading, and close or protect the footway during unloading. Keep unloading time short. Use barriers and signs. Stack the loads on stable ground and lift in manageable loads. Hi-vis clothing (BS EN ISO 20471) as a backup.	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.

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust created by drilling into brick, block, render or mortar for scaffold ties

Task or use: Drilling fixing holes in masonry walls for scaffold ties, where through, reveal or box ties are not possible. Also cleaning up the dust.
Route of exposure: Inhalation of fine dust. Eye contact. Skin contact is minor.
Who could be harmed: The operatives drilling, and anyone nearby such as residents, neighbours and roofers, who may breathe in the dust. Repeated exposure can cause serious, lasting lung disease.
Hazards: Breathing in fine silica dust over time can cause lung disease including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The dust can irritate the eyes and nose. If a resin, anchor or other product is used with the fixings, check section 2 of its Safety Data Sheet for its hazards.
Controls: Eliminate or reduce the dust by using through, reveal or box ties where the design allows, so little or no drilling into masonry is needed.
Substitute with a method that avoids drilling, such as using existing openings, where it is safe and in the design.
Use on-tool extraction (M-class or H-class vacuum) or water suppression on every drill used on masonry.
Keep the number of holes to the minimum and the drilling time short, and rotate the person drilling.
Keep residents, neighbours and roofers away from the drilling area and keep nearby doors and windows closed.
Clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum. Never dry sweep or use compressed air.
Follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and HSE guidance L5, the COSHH Approved Code of Practice.
PPE: RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 20, such as a disposable FFP3 (BS EN 149), face-fit tested and worn clean shaven
Eye protection to BS EN 166
Work gloves and overalls, washed or changed to avoid carrying dust home
Storage and disposal: The dust is collected in the vacuum. Empty the vacuum in a controlled way, bag the dust and dispose of it as construction waste under the waste regulations. Do not leave dust on the scaffold boards, the garden or the footway.
First aid and spillage: For eye contact, rinse with clean water for at least 10 minutes and get medical help if irritation persists. If someone is coughing or has breathing trouble after exposure, move them to fresh air and get medical help. For dust deposits, clean up with an H-class or M-class vacuum, damping down first if a vacuum is not on hand. Never sweep dry.
Health surveillance: None is expected for the occasional, short drilling on this job. Apex should review this if operatives regularly drill or cut masonry on other work, since respiratory health surveillance may then be needed.
Check against the Safety Data Sheet: Confirm from the Safety Data Sheet of any anchor, resin or fixing product used that its hazards, PPE and RPE specifications are covered. Take hazard statements and PPE specifications from the supplier's Safety Data Sheet, and workplace exposure limits from HSE EH40/2005. Confirm RPE fit test records for each operative before work starts.

5. Plant & equipment

Scaffold tube, fittings and boards
Base plates and sole boards
Ties, brick guards and debris netting
Ladders for access bays
Gin wheel and rope
Hop-up
Hand tools (podgers, spanners, spirit levels, tape measures)
Drill with on-tool dust extraction or water suppression for tie fixings, if drilling is needed
M-class or H-class vacuum
Barriers, signs and cones for the exclusion zone
Scaffold tags and handover certificate forms
Harnesses and lanyards for use where guardrails cannot be in place

6. Materials / COSHH

Materials are standard steel tube, fittings, scaffold boards, ties, debris netting and brick guards. None is a hazardous substance as supplied. The one hazardous substance created by the work is respirable crystalline silica dust from any drilling into masonry for tie fixings, assessed in the COSHH assessment above.

7. PPE

Hard hat to BS EN 397
Safety boots with ankle support and good grip, BS EN ISO 20345
High-visibility clothing to BS EN ISO 20471
Work gloves to BS EN 388
Safety glasses to BS EN 166
Harness (BS EN 361) with energy-absorbing lanyard (BS EN 355), used only where guardrails cannot be in place, as the last line of defence
Hearing protection to BS EN 352 when drilling
RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 (FFP3, BS EN 149), face-fit tested, when drilling masonry
Warm and waterproof clothing for poor weather

8. Competence & training

Work is carried out by three CISRS carded scaffolders (Part 1/Part 2 and Advanced), all SG4 trained. M. Doyle (CISRS Advanced Scaffolder) is the competent person and writes this RAMS. A CISRS Advanced Scaffolder leads on site, directs the build and signs the handover and inspections. All operatives read and sign this RAMS at the pre-start briefing and are briefed on the rescue plan, the exclusion zones, the service locations and the stop-work rule for suspect materials. At least one operative holds a current first aid qualification. Asbestos awareness and face-fit test records for each operative are confirmed before work starts.

9. Permits

Scaffold loading and handover certificate, signed by the competent person before the roofers use the scaffold
Highways licence for the footway, if any part of the scaffold or storage uses it
Request to the electricity distributor (call 105) to insulate or make safe the overhead service cable, if the scaffold has to be within reach of it
Written confirmation from Redwood Roofing Contractors of the asbestos register or survey for the tie and fixing areas before drilling or fixing

10. Access & egress

Access to the scaffold is by ladder access bays within the scaffold, with ladders tied, footed and extending 1 m above the landing. Nobody climbs the outside. Residents keep a safe route to the front and rear doors, protected by a boarded cover or fan where it passes under the scaffold. Fire escape routes from the house stay clear. At the end of each day, ladders are removed or guarded to stop unauthorised access.

11. Welfare

The client's WC is used by arrangement with Redwood and the householder, to be confirmed on the pre-start walk. Operatives use the vehicle-based provisions for rest, hot drinks and drinking water. Hands are washed before eating, drinking and smoking, and after drilling or handling dusty items. A water container, soap and towels are carried in the vehicle. Work clothing contaminated with dust is changed before leaving site.

12. First aid

A first aid kit is carried in the operatives' vehicle. At least one operative holds a current first aid qualification. Any injury is reported to M. Doyle and Redwood, and recorded in the accident book. The nearest A&E is confirmed at the briefing.

13. Emergency procedures

Fall from height or rescue: the supervisor calls 999, then rescues using the rescue plan briefed before work. Do not move a casualty unless in immediate danger. Gas smell: stop work, avoid ignition sources, ventilate, evacuate the area and call the National Gas Emergency number 0800 111 999. Contact or near contact with an overhead cable: stay well clear, keep others away and call 999 and the electricity distributor on 105. Fire: raise the alarm, evacuate residents and operatives, meet at the front footway and call 999. Scaffold damaged or unstable: stop work, clear the area, tag the scaffold as unsafe and report it to M. Doyle and Redwood. Suspect asbestos found: stop, keep people away, do not clean up, and report it before work carries on. The supervisor does a head count at the muster point and the emergency contacts are agreed at the briefing.

14. Environmental

Take care of the garden, drive, drains and neighbouring properties. Use sole boards and protect surfaces where tube or boards are stacked. Keep noisy work to sensible hours and tell neighbours. Control dust from drilling by on-tool extraction or water, and clean up with a vacuum. Dispose of waste dust and packaging properly as construction waste. Keep drains and gullies free of debris. Prevent fuel or oil spills from the vehicle, and have a spill kit available. Remove all waste, tube and debris from site at the end of each phase.

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.

Scaffolding method statement: what it covers

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