Scaffolders spend their working day at height, handling long, heavy components and building structures that other trades then depend on. Their RAMS covers the whole life of the scaffold: delivery, erection, handover, inspection, alteration and dismantling, and it has to deal with the people and traffic around the structure as well as the crew.
Industry guidance such as the NASC’s TG20 compliance guide gives standard configurations for tube and fitting scaffolds, and a scaffold outside those has to be designed. Your RAMS should say which route applies on this job.
Hazards a scaffolding RAMS should cover
Every job and site is different, but a scaffolding RAMS will usually need to deal with most of the following.
- Falls from height during erection, alteration and dismantling
- Materials and tools falling onto people below
- Manual handling of long, heavy tubes, boards and fittings
- Structural collapse from overloading, missing ties or a poor base
- Overhead power lines near the scaffold
- Pedestrians and traffic, including gantries and protection to the public
- Wind and other weather
- Unauthorised access to the scaffold when it is left unattended
What is in the AutoRAMS scaffolding library
AutoRAMS holds 64 scaffolding job types in 6 categories. Each job comes with a written sequence of operation, the hazards that go with it, who could be harmed, and the controls. You choose the jobs you are doing, tick what applies on site, and the RAMS is assembled around your answers.
For example, Scaffold material delivery, unloading and stacking starts you off with a 12-step sequence of operation. The library also holds general hazards for the trade, including:
- Falls from height during scaffold erection, alteration and dismantling (EAD)
- Materials, tools or components falling from height onto people below
- Manual handling injuries from carrying, passing and positioning scaffold tubes, boards and fittings
Jobs you can choose from
- Location-Specific Scaffolds (21): Pedestrian gantry or pavement protection scaffold, Scaffold over entrance or access route, Scaffold over conservatory or lower roof and more
- Special Structures (18): Temporary roof scaffold structure, Cantilever scaffold, Truss-out scaffold and more
- Standard Access Scaffolds (10): Scaffold material delivery, unloading and stacking, Independent tied scaffold erection, Putlog scaffold erection and more
- Loading, Hoisting & Protection (7): Scaffold loading bay, Scaffold fan/protection fan, Debris netting or scaffold sheeting and more
- Alteration, Inspection & Dismantling (7): Scaffold alteration, Scaffold extension or additional lift, Scaffold inspection and handover and more
- Other jobs (1): Temporary scaffold edge protection
Legislation and standards a scaffolding RAMS often refers to
- Work at Height Regulations 2005, including inspection of scaffolds
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- NASC TG20 compliance guidance for tube and fitting scaffolds
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), for lifting appliances
Your competent person should check which of these apply to your job and make sure the RAMS reflects them.
How to produce a scaffolding RAMS in minutes
- Pick the jobs. Choose scaffolding and the job types you are doing.
- Tick what is on site. Tell AutoRAMS about access, the public, services, working at height and so on.
- Add the site and the team. Name, address, dates and who is working.
- Generate and review. Download a branded PDF with your logo, then have your competent person check and approve it before use.
Frequently asked questions
Does every scaffold need a RAMS?
Scaffolding contractors are routinely asked for one, and it is the sensible way to show how a given structure will be erected, altered and dismantled safely, including handover and inspection.
What does a scaffolding RAMS cover that others do not?
It covers the scaffold’s whole life, including the sequence of erection, ties and base conditions, loading, protection of the public, inspection and handover, and safe dismantling.
Can AutoRAMS cover special scaffolds?
The scaffolding library includes special structures such as cantilever, truss-out and temporary roof scaffolds, as well as standard access scaffolds. As always, your competent person must check it fits the actual design.