Tiling RAMS example

HSE 5-STEP · CDM 2015

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Tile the walls and floor of a domestic bathroom and install an electric underfloor heating mat, in an occupied house. The underfloor heating final connection is carried out by a qualified electrician.

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Wall and floor tiling of a domestic bathroom at 18 Hawthorn Close, Bristol BS9 3P**, for Mrs J. Aldridge, including installation of an electric underfloor heating mat beneath the floor tiles. The final electrical connection of the underfloor heating mat and thermostat is carried out by a qualified electrician working to BS 7671. Works are undertaken in an occupied house, with the household continuing to live in the property during the works.

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	Craftline Tiling Ltd
Author	R. Nowak, Tiling Supervisor (NVQ Level 2 Wall & Floor Tiling)
Client / Principal Contractor	Mrs J. Aldridge
Site	18 Hawthorn Close, 18 Hawthorn Close, Bristol BS9 3P**
Project reference	CTL-3316
Start / duration	Tue 23 Jun 2026 / 4 days

1. Scope of works

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Operatives arrive, introduce themselves to the occupier, explain the planned works, the expected duration, dust and noise, and periods when the bathroom will be out of use. Confirm welfare and access arrangements.
Establish a clear, protected work area: lay dust sheets and floor protection along the access route and landing, and mask off the bathroom doorway to limit dust spread to the rest of the occupied house.
Isolate the electrical supply to the bathroom at the consumer unit before any work near existing wiring; where an existing circuit is affected, a qualified electrician proves dead and applies lock-off before work proceeds.
Remove existing sanitary fittings or coverings as required, and inspect the substrate for soundness, damp and level.
Set out the tiling to agreed datum lines, dry-lay to establish cut positions and minimise offcuts.
Prepare and prime the floor substrate ready to receive the underfloor heating mat.
Cut tiles to size using the electric wet tile cutter with an integral water feed to suppress silica dust; use on-tool extraction on the grinder for any dry cuts that cannot be made wet.
Mix tile adhesive and grout in a ventilated area following the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet, wearing gloves and eye protection, keeping the lid on powders to limit airborne dust.
Lay out the electric underfloor heating mat to the manufacturer's design, checking cold-tail routing to the thermostat position; do not cut or cross the heating cable.
The qualified electrician tests the heating mat insulation resistance before and after tiling and records the readings; the mat remains disconnected from the supply during tiling.
Bed the underfloor heating mat and floor tiles in adhesive, protecting the heating cable from trowel and knee damage, and maintain floor protection to the access route.
Tile the bathroom walls to the setting-out, cutting around fittings, pipework and switches as required.
Allow adhesive to cure per the manufacturer's data, then grout wall and floor tiles, clean off residue and apply silicone sealant to junctions.
The qualified electrician makes the final connection of the underfloor heating mat and thermostat to the circuit in accordance with BS 7671, carries out the required tests, and completes the electrical certification.
Only after the electrician confirms the installation is safe and certified is the underfloor heating energised and commissioned to the manufacturer's first-use instructions.
Clean down all surfaces, remove protection, and vacuum the work area and access route with an M-class vacuum to remove fine dust.
Remove and segregate all waste, offcuts and packaging from the property for appropriate disposal.
Brief the occupier on the underfloor heating controls, tile and grout curing times, and when the bathroom can return to normal use.
Carry out a final walk-round with the occupier, confirm the area is left clean, safe and secure, and record any snags.
Sign out and confirm completion with the client.

3. Risk assessment

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

Risk assessment: hazards, who may be harmed, controls and residual risk
Hazard	Who / how	Existing controls	L×S	Additional controls	Residual
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from cutting ceramic and porcelain tiles.	Operatives, occupier and household. Long-term exposure to RCS can cause silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.	Electric wet tile cutter with integral water feed used as the primary cutting method. General awareness of dust hazards. COSHH assessment for tile cutting.	3×4=12	Eliminate dry cutting: cut all tiles wet using the water-fed cutter so dust is suppressed at source, in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Where a dry cut is unavoidable, use a cutter fitted with on-tool extraction (M-class), and cut outside or in a well-ventilated area away from the household. Provide FFP3 respiratory protection as a supplementary control, face-fit tested to the wearer. Clean up with an M-class vacuum, never dry sweeping or compressed air.	Low
Electric shock during works around existing bathroom wiring and connection of the electric underfloor heating mat.	Operatives, the qualified electrician and household. Electric shock can cause serious injury or fatality; risk is heightened in a wet room.	Isolation of the bathroom circuit before work near wiring. Underfloor heating final connection carried out only by a qualified electrician. Heating mat kept disconnected during tiling.	2×5=10	Follow safe isolation before any work near existing wiring: prove dead, lock off and apply a warning tag under an electrical isolation permit. The final connection of the underfloor heating mat and thermostat is made only by a qualified electrician working to BS 7671, with the circuit protected by a 30 mA RCD. Do not energise the mat until the electrician has tested and certified the installation. Keep water and adhesive away from open connections and the thermostat back box.	Low
Damage to the underfloor heating cable during laying and tiling, creating a latent electrical fault.	Operatives and household. Damaged cable can cause a short circuit, overheating or electric shock once energised.	Heating mat installed to the manufacturer's design. Awareness that the cable must not be cut or crossed.	2×4=8	The electrician measures the mat's insulation resistance before laying, after laying and after tiling, and records the readings, so any damage is detected before the floor is closed up. Protect the cold tail and cable from trowel edges and kneeling. Use kneeling boards over laid mat. Do not energise until the final insulation-resistance test passes and the installation is certified to BS 7671.	Low
Skin, eye and respiratory contact with tile adhesive, grout and primer (cement-based and chemical products).	Operatives. Cement products are alkaline and can cause dermatitis, skin burns and eye damage; dust from powders can irritate the airways.	COSHH assessment and Safety Data Sheets held for each product. Products mixed in a ventilated area. General PPE available.	3×3=9	Follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002: substitute low-dust or ready-mixed products where practicable to reduce airborne powder. Add powder to water slowly to limit dust clouds and keep container lids closed. Wear nitrile gloves, eye protection and an FFP3 mask when mixing powders. Provide barrier cream and washing facilities; wash cement off skin promptly. Do not kneel in wet adhesive or grout.	Low
Manual handling of tile boxes, adhesive and grout bags, and the tile cutter.	Operatives. Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders and hands from lifting and carrying, worsened by stairs to the first-floor bathroom.	Manual handling awareness training. Deliveries placed close to the work area where possible.	3×2=6	Follow the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: assess loads before lifting, and break tile deliveries into smaller loads carried up the stairs rather than full boxes. Team-lift the tile cutter and any load over safe individual limits. Use good lifting technique, keep the load close and avoid twisting on the stairs. Store materials on the working level to reduce repeat carrying.	Low
Kneeling, crouching and repetitive work over prolonged periods (musculoskeletal).	Operatives. Knee injuries (e.g. bursitis), back strain and upper-limb disorders from sustained floor tiling.	Awareness of posture and task rotation. Kneeling pads available.	3×2=6	Provide and use knee pads or kneeling boards to spread load and protect against wet cement. Rotate between floor and wall tasks to vary posture. Take regular short breaks to change position. Keep tools and adhesive within easy reach to reduce overreaching and twisting. Report any persistent joint pain early.	Low
Cuts and lacerations from sharp tile edges, offcuts and cutting equipment.	Operatives, and the household from any offcuts left in the occupied property.	Cut-resistant gloves available. Tile cutter used to the manufacturer's instructions with guards in place.	3×2=6	Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling cut tiles and offcuts. Keep the wet cutter's guard and water reservoir in place; disconnect from the supply before adjusting or cleaning the blade. Deburr sharp cut edges. Collect offcuts immediately into a rigid container and keep them out of household circulation areas; never leave sharp waste where children or occupants could reach it. Maintain a tidy work area.	Low

4. Plant & equipment

Electric wet tile cutter with integral water feed
Angle grinder with on-tool (M-class) dust extraction
M-class vacuum for clean-down
Mixing paddle, drill and mixing buckets
Notched trowels, tile spacers, spirit level and setting-out tools
Insulation-resistance tester (used by the electrician on the heating mat)
Lock-off kit and warning tags for electrical isolation
Kneeling boards and knee pads
Dust sheets and floor protection

5. Materials / COSHH

Cement-based tile adhesive, grout and floor primer are the principal COSHH substances: all are alkaline and can cause skin and eye irritation, dermatitis or burns, and their powders create dust when handled. A COSHH assessment and Safety Data Sheet is held for each product and briefed to operatives. Powders are added to water slowly with lids kept closed to limit dust; low-dust or ready-mixed products are used where practicable. Silicone sealant is used with ventilation. Respirable crystalline silica from tile cutting is controlled at source by wet cutting (see risk assessment). Nitrile gloves, eye protection, FFP3 masks, barrier cream and washing facilities are provided. Waste is disposed of per the Safety Data Sheet and waste regulations.

6. PPE

Safety footwear (steel toe caps)
FFP3 respirator (face-fit tested) for any dry cutting and powder mixing
Eye protection (goggles) when cutting, grinding and mixing
Nitrile gloves for cement products; cut-resistant gloves for handling tiles
Knee pads or kneeling boards
Ear protection when using the tile cutter for extended periods
Overalls / work clothing to limit skin contact with cement

7. Competence & training

All operatives hold an NVQ Level 2 in Wall and Floor Tiling and a valid CSCS card, and are trained in manual handling, COSHH and safe use of the tile cutter and grinder. R. Nowak (Author) is the Tiling Supervisor. The electric underfloor heating mat is connected only by a qualified electrician competent to the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), who is responsible for isolation, testing and certification of the electrical work. RPE wearers are face-fit tested.

8. Permits

Electrical isolation permit for work near existing wiring and for the underfloor heating connection (issued and controlled by the qualified electrician).

9. Access & egress

Access is via the property's main entrance and the first-floor landing to the bathroom. The access route and landing are protected with dust sheets and kept clear of tools, offcuts and trailing leads at all times so the household can move safely through their home. A clear emergency egress route from the first floor is maintained throughout the works.

10. Welfare

Toilet and hand-washing facilities within the property are used by arrangement with the occupier, which is important given cement contact; where the bathroom itself is out of use, alternative facilities are agreed in advance. Operatives carry drinking water. Breaks are taken away from the immediate work area to minimise disruption to the household.

11. First aid

A stocked first aid kit, including eyewash for cement and adhesive splashes, is carried in the company vehicle and its location is known to all operatives. Cement contact with skin or eyes is washed off immediately with clean water and eyewash, and medical advice sought for any burn or persistent irritation. For serious injury or electric shock, call 999 immediately and do not touch a casualty in contact with live electrics until the supply is proven isolated.

12. Emergency procedures

In the event of fire, stop work, alert the household, evacuate the property and call 999 from a safe location. In the event of electric shock, isolate the supply at the consumer unit before approaching the casualty, then administer first aid and call 999. For a cement burn or eye splash, irrigate immediately and seek medical attention. Any suspected fault in the underfloor heating installation is reported to the electrician and the mat left de-energised until checked. Reportable incidents are notified under RIDDOR.

13. Environmental

Tile offcuts, empty adhesive and grout bags, packaging and old coverings are segregated and removed from the occupied property for appropriate disposal and recycling; nothing is left in the household's bins without agreement. Wet-cutting slurry is contained and not poured down household drains; it is allowed to settle and disposed of as waste. Dust is controlled at source and cleaned with an M-class vacuum to protect the household's indoor air. Noise from cutting is limited to reasonable hours by agreement with the occupier.

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

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