# Building conservation cleaning RAMS Builder > Building conservation cleaning RAMS builder for test patches and cleaning historic fabric. Answer a few questions, or download a free template or example PDF. > Web page: https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-builder?job=building-conservation-cleaning Building conservation cleaning risk assessment and method statement ## RAMS review [Check a RAMS](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-review) ![A RAMS page with passages highlighted and numbered review comments beside them](https://complyonsite.com/art/rams-review-highlight.webp) ## Building conservation cleaning RAMS template A blank building conservation cleaning RAMS to fill in: job details, method statement, risk assessment and briefing record. Risk assessment and method statement Building conservation cleaning RAMS - **Company**: left blank to fill in - **Site and work area**: left blank to fill in - **Planned dates**: left blank to fill in - **In charge on site**: left blank to fill in - **Team**: left blank to fill in Method statement 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4 5. 5 6. 6 Risk assessment | Hazard | Who might be harmed and how | Controls in place | Further action | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | [Download the templatePDF, 4 pages](https://complyonsite.com/rams/samples/building-conservation-cleaning-rams-template.pdf) ## Building conservation cleaning RAMS example The same RAMS, filled in for one job. Risk assessment and method statement Building conservation cleaning, Former Town Hall, Market Place, Stockport: front elevation Risk assessment - People entering the work area or tripping over materials Workers, occupants and visitors Mark or barrier the active work area. Store tools and materials away from access routes. - A changed surface is cleaned with a method that was never accepted for it Cleaner and historic fabric Keep the test record at the work area. Refer changes before continuing. - Breathing asbestos fibres from old boards, sheets, sealants or insulation The team and anyone in the building Do not cut, drill or break any material until it is confirmed asbestos free. Licensed work is not for this method; hand it to a licensed contractor. - Wind catches the hoses and cleaning equipment or blows someone off balance at height The team and people below Agree a wind limit for this work and check the forecast before you start. Tie down or take in loose materials before you leave. - Cleaning materials falling onto people below People below Bring waste down by hand or in bags. Never throw it. Keep the exclusion zone up until the last item is down. - Falling from a scaffold that has been altered; materials falling from the scaffold Anyone working on the lift, where a guardrail, board or tie has been taken out to get the work done. Anyone passing or working underneath, including the public where the scaffold is over a footpath. Never remove boards, ties, guardrails or bracing; ask the scaffolding contractor to alter it. Report damage or a missing tag and keep off until it is checked. Fit brick guards or netting where materials could fall on people below. - Water, product or removed dirt damages nearby fabric or enters the building Cleaner, occupants and the building Check protection before each section. Stop if water or product escapes the work area. - Cleaning crosses into fabric or deposits that the test did not cover Cleaner, client and historic fabric Check the boundary before each section. Stop when the material or deposit changes. - Contaminated waste reaches the fabric, people, soil or drainage Cleaner, occupants and the environment Check the containers and route before wet work. Stop if the agreed route cannot contain the waste. - An aggressive method removes sound surface or historic detail Cleaner and building owner Keep the accepted limits visible. Monitor the fabric while cleaning. - Excess force or unsuitable tools damage historic masonry and finishes Cleaner and historic fabric Keep the pressure limit visible. Stop if the surface reacts. - Runoff carries dirt across cleaned fabric or creates uneven staining Cleaner and building owner Keep runoff contained. Stop if the sequence does not suit the approved method. - Continued cleaning causes irreversible damage to historic fabric Cleaner and building owner Do not chase a result by increasing pressure or changing product. Seek a new conservation decision. - Contaminated washings escape to people, soil or drainage Cleaner, occupants and the environment Check containers before wet work. Stop if they are full, damaged or leaking. - Damage, residue or an unsafe wet area is missed at handover Cleaner, client and building users Photograph the finished area. Tell the client about defects or remaining deposits. - Debris, tools or unfinished work left in the area Workers, occupants and visitors Remove waste by the agreed route. Record and protect any unfinished work. Building conservation cleaning, Former Town Hall, Market Place, Stockport: front elevation - **Company**: Hollins & Reed Conservation Ltd - **Site and work area**: Former Town Hall, Market Place, Stockport: front elevation - **Planned dates**: 12 to 14 October 2026 - **In charge on site**: Dan Hollins - **Team**: Two conservation operatives: Dan Hollins leads and agrees the test areas with the conservation officer; Priya Shah works with him. Method statement 1. 1 Set up the work areaConfirm the work area and scope before starting. Keep other people outside the active work area. Keep entrances and escape routes clear. 2. 2 Confirm the accepted area and methodCompare the work area with the accepted test patch, fabric and deposit. Stop if the surface, deposit or conditions differ. 3. 3 Check for asbestos before you disturb anythingCheck the asbestos survey covers exactly what you will disturb, to the full depth. Register only, or nothing: get a refurbishment survey or a sample first. Read what it says about historic masonry, render and old finishes. No survey, or a material you do not recognise: stop and get it checked. 4. 4 Check the weather before you startDo not lift or fix hoses and cleaning equipment in strong wind. Stop in heavy rain, ice or lightning. 5. 5 Stop things falling on people belowKeep people out of the area below the work so nobody walks under the cleaning materials. Keep toe boards and guards in place on any platform, and lanyard tools where you can. 6. 6 Work from the scaffoldCheck the scaffold tag or handover shows an inspection within the last 7 days. Use only the lifts and access that were handed over. Keep materials within the loading the scaffold was built for. Keep off in high wind or ice, or when sheeting has come loose. 7. 7 Protect nearby fabric and openingsCover or isolate windows, joints, plants and surfaces that must not be wetted or treated. Keep dirty water and loosened material from spreading. 8. 8 Mark the accepted cleaning boundaryMark the area that matches the tested fabric and deposit. Keep different masonry, finishes and deposits outside the run. 9. 9 Contain washings and removed materialCollect dirty water and removed material under the agreed plan. If no route is agreed, hold wet work and keep solids away from drains. 10. 10 Start with the mild methodUse the least aggressive accepted method first. If the area or method is not agreed, hold the work instead. 11. 11 Use the accepted water-and-brush methodUse only the agreed water supply, pressure and soft brushes. Rinse and work in the accepted sequence. 12. 12 Work from bottom to topClean the masonry in the accepted sequence. Keep cleaned and uncleaned areas distinguishable. 13. 13 Stop when the fabric changesStop if the surface roughens, powders, stains or loses detail. Protect the area and report the change. 14. 14 Collect washings for the agreed routeCapture dirty water and solids as the work progresses. Keep the container secure and send it by the agreed route. 15. 15 Record the work and hand backRecord the cleaned area, method used, remaining deposits and any change to the fabric. Leave the area protected until it is dry and accepted. 16. 16 Clear and hand back the areaRemove tools, waste and unused materials. Check the area is clean and ready to use. Tell the customer or whoever runs the site when the work is complete. [Download the examplePDF, 5 pages](https://complyonsite.com/rams/samples/building-conservation-cleaning-rams-example.pdf) ## What a building conservation cleaning RAMS covers Test patches on historic stone, brick and other fabric, then cleaning only the agreed areas by the agreed method. Not covered: abrasive blasting. - Test historic surface - Clean approved fabric ## Suggested steps and hazards for building conservation cleaning Suggested for clean approved fabric before any questions are answered. 1. ### Confirm the accepted area and method - Compare the work area with the accepted test patch, fabric and deposit. - Stop if the surface, deposit or conditions differ. Hazard A changed surface is cleaned with a method that was never accepted for it. Who might be harmed and how Cleaner and historic fabric Controls in place - Keep the test record at the work area. - Refer changes before continuing. Checking the area against the test prevents an unapproved treatment. [Looking After Historic Buildings](https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/) 2. ### Protect nearby fabric and openings - Cover or isolate windows, joints, plants and surfaces that must not be wetted or treated. - Keep dirty water and loosened material from spreading. Hazard Water, product or removed dirt damages nearby fabric or enters the building. Who might be harmed and how Cleaner, occupants and the building Controls in place - Check protection before each section. - Stop if water or product escapes the work area. Protection keeps the approved treatment on the intended fabric. [Looking After Historic Buildings](https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/) 3. ### Contain washings and removed material - Collect dirty water and removed material under the agreed plan. - If no route is agreed, hold wet work and keep solids away from drains. Hazard Contaminated waste reaches the fabric, people, soil or drainage. Who might be harmed and how Cleaner, occupants and the environment Controls in place - Check the containers and route before wet work. - Stop if the agreed route cannot contain the waste. Containing washings and removed material protects people, drainage and the fabric. [Looking After Historic Buildings](https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/) ## What the builder asks about building conservation cleaning Your answers decide which steps, hazards and controls it suggests. The job - What fabric and deposit are you testing? - What area did the accepted test cover? Where - Is the building older than the year 2000? Older buildings can have asbestos in them. How it’s done - What will you stand on to reach the work? - What method is allowed on the test patch? - Which cleaning method was accepted? - How will dirty water and removed material be controlled? What you’ve been told - Who will accept the test patch? ## What your building conservation cleaning RAMS includes ### Method statement The work in order, step by step. ### Risk assessment Each hazard, who could be harmed, the controls in place and any further action. ### PDF The method statement and risk assessment in one A4 PDF. Your logo on Pro and Team. - ### [Cleaning RAMS](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-builder?job=cleaning) - ### [Abrasive cleaning RAMS](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-builder?job=abrasive-cleaning) - ### [Window cleaning RAMS](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-builder?job=window-cleaning) - [All trades and tasks](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-builder) ## What the law asks for ### What a RAMS is A risk assessment and method statement. The risk assessment records what could cause harm on the job, who could be harmed and how, and the controls that keep the risk down. The method statement sets out how the work will be done, step by step, in the order it happens. A client or main contractor will usually ask for one before you start. RAMS is a site term, not a legal one: the law asks for the risk assessment and for the work to be planned, and a method statement is the usual way to show that plan for one job. ### What the law asks for - Employers, and self-employed people doing construction work, must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to their own people and to anyone else affected by the work ([Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/3)). - An employer with five or more employees must record the significant findings and any group of employees it finds especially at risk. The assessment must be reviewed if there is reason to think it is no longer valid, or the work has changed significantly. - Every contractor must plan, manage and monitor its work so that, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is done without risks to health and safety, and must give its workers the information and instructions they need, including the hazards the risk assessment found ([Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, regulation 15](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/51/regulation/15)). HSE guidance: [the steps to manage risk](https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/steps-needed-to-manage-risk.htm) and [what contractors must do under CDM](https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/contractors.htm). This is the law in Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own equivalent regulations. ### What the builder does You choose the work and answer questions about how the job will be done, such as what you will stand on and what else is going on nearby. Your answers decide which steps, hazards and controls it suggests. Many suggestions link to the HSE guidance they draw on. Your work is kept in this browser and, signed in, on your account with its photos; the PDF is made on your device. A briefing you send to phones goes through your account. ### Separate documents A COSHH assessment, lifting plan, permit to work, asbestos survey and the principal contractor’s construction phase plan are separate from the RAMS. ### Reviewing a RAMS before work starts [RAMS review](https://complyonsite.com/tools/rams-review) reads a RAMS PDF, yours before you send it or one a subcontractor sends you, and lists the points to raise, each marked on the page it comes from. Quick reviews are free.