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Ladder RAMS example

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Ladder RAMS example

Clearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladder

Eight ladder positions of under 15 minutes each, one hand on the ladder, with a stand-off keeping it clear of the gutter.

See the method statement on its ownDownload PDFDownload Word

What to change

  • Company, people, site and dates
  • How long at each position, and what comes down
  • What the ladder rests on, and how the stand-off sits
  • How the ladder is secured: tying comes first
  • Whether a pole vacuum from the ground would do the job
  • Overhead lines near the ladder
  • Who is in the building
  • Emergency arrangements

Sources

Checked

  1. ComplyOnSitecomplyonsite.comWORKED EXAMPLE: RISK ASSESSMENT AND METHOD STATEMENTClearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladderHollins & Reed Property Services Ltd · 26 November 2026 (one morning) · In charge: Dan HollinsWorked example. Change it to fit your job before you use it.Job detailsCompanyHollins & Reed Property Services LtdSite and work area14 Larch Close, Stockport: rear elevationPlanned dates26 November 2026 (one morning)CustomerThornley Vale Estates LtdIn charge on siteDan HollinsTeamTwo people, both trained in ladder use: Dan Hollins works from theladder; Priya Shah foots it and does nothing else while he is on it. Theycarry it between positions together.WorkClearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladderPrepared byDan HollinsSignatureDateWork and boundariesClear leaves and silt from one run of plastic gutter by hand. Areas: Rear gutter and the paving belowit; Side path to the street, kept clearWorking arrangementWorking height: gutter at about 2.4 m, from a 2.4 m single-section ladder; feet no higher thanabout 1.2 m, hands at the gutter just above the ladder top.Ground or floor: level concrete paving, swept clean before the ladder goes up.The work area will be kept clear of other people.The tenant stays in and uses the front door until we finish. Why a ladder: this is 10 m of gutterholding leaves and wet silt, under 15 minutes at each of eight positions, one hand on the ladderand the other on a scoop. A pole vacuum from the ground would not show the joints and outlets,which the landlord wants looked at, so we go up. The ladder rests on the brick wall under thesoffit through a stand-off from the ladder’s maker, never on the gutter, which is plastic. TheWorked example. Change it to fit your job before you use it.Page 1 of 4
  2. Example: Clearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladderComplyOnSiteplastic gutter and thin soffit will not take a tie, the landlord will have no fixings in the brick or thepaving, the ladder’s maker approves no stability device with this stand-off, and open pavinggives nothing to wedge the feet against. So Priya Shah foots the ladder, the last resort, wheneverDan Hollins is on it. Packed silt that a scoop will not lift, or a split gutter, is a different job: hecomes down and we go back with a tower. No overhead line is within 10 m. The bungalow wasbuilt in 2004.Emergency arrangementsFall from the ladder: Priya Shah rings 999 at once, says the casualty is at the back of 14 Larch Close,and stays with him. Nobody moves him unless he is in more danger where he lies. If Priya is the onehurt, Dan Hollins rings. Priya Shah is the first aider, and the kit is in the van on the drive. The tenantmeets the crew at the front gate and walks them down the side path, which stays clear andunlocked. Both phones are checked for signal on arrival. Fire: leave by the side path and meet onthe pavement outside number 14.Planned method1Set up the work areaConfirm the work area and scope before starting. Keep other people outside the active workarea. Keep entrances and escape routes clear.2Check the ladder before useCheck the stiles, the feet, the rungs and any locking parts, at the start of the day and wheneverthe ladder has been moved from dirty ground. Check its detailed inspection record is up todate. Take a damaged ladder out of use.3Fit the stand-offFit the stand-off to the ladder on the ground, as its maker’s instructions say. Its pads go on thebrick wall under the soffit, and the ladder stops just under the gutter without touching it.4Set the ladder against the wallStand it on firm, level, clean ground, with no packing under the feet. Set it at 1 in 4: one unit outfor every four up. Rest the top on something strong. Never rest it on a plastic gutter or glazing.Do not work off the top three rungs, and try to make sure the ladder extends at least 1 m (threerungs) above where you are working.5Secure the ladderKeep a second person at the foot for as long as anyone is on the ladder. They do nothing else.Tying comes first, then a stability device, then wedging. Footing is the last resort.6Keep people out from under the ladderPut cones around the foot of the ladder so nobody walks under it or into it. Keep what youneed in a tool belt. Nothing is carried up by hand.7Climb facing the ladderFace the rungs while climbing and keep three points of contact. Tool belt on, so both hands arefree for the rungs.Worked example. Change it to fit your job before you use it.Page 2 of 4
  3. Example: Clearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladderComplyOnSite8Keep each spell on the ladder shortCome down within 30 minutes at any position. A task that needs longer needs otherequipment. Let go of the ladder only for a moment. Bring the ladder down if the wind picks up,or if rain or ice makes it unsafe.9Keep the task within reachUse only light tools and materials. Keep one hand on the ladder while you work. Both handsneeded for more than a moment: use a tower or platform. Stay off the top three rungs andkeep your belt buckle within the stiles. Descend before moving the ladder.10Clear the gutterTake the scoop and the bucket cord up in your belt, then pull the empty bucket up and hook itto the ladder. Stand with your feet no higher than the rung about 1.2 m up. Keep one hand onthe ladder and scoop with the other, with your belt buckle within the stiles. Fill the 10 litrebucket no more than a third, about 5 kg. Lower it on its cord inside the cones, to the side awayfrom Priya Shah, then climb down with both hands free and empty it. Look over each joint andoutlet as you go. At each new position, set the ladder and stand-off again and check the padsbefore anyone climbs.11Clear and hand back the areaRemove tools, waste and unused materials. Check the area is clean and ready to use. Tell thecustomer or whoever runs the site when the work is complete.Risk assessmentHazardWho might beharmed and howControls in placePeople entering thework area or trippingover materialsStep 1Workers,occupants andvisitorsMark or barrier the active work area. Store tools and materialsaway from access routes.A bent stile, wornfoot or loose rungmakes the ladder failor slipStep 2The ladder userCheck the feet are clean, so the feet and not the dirt are on theground.The stand-off slips orthe ladder rests onthe gutterStep 3The ladder userand the person atthe footUse the stand-off the ladder’s maker approves. Check bothpads are flat on the brick before anyone climbs.A slipping base,wrong angle or weakresting point causesa fallStep 4The ladder userand people belowShut the doors and windows that could push the ladder over.Move the ladder rather than stretching to reach.Worked example. Change it to fit your job before you use it.Page 3 of 4
  4. Example: Clearing gutters on a bungalow from a ladderComplyOnSiteHazardWho might beharmed and howControls in placeA leaning ladder slipsor overturns whilesomeone is on itStep 5The ladder userand people belowNobody climbs until the ladder is secured.A person walks intothe ladder, or a toolor bucket falls onthemStep 6People in andaround thebuilding and theperson at the footStop work if anyone comes inside the cones.A lost handhold orturned body causes afallStep 7The ladder userDo not slide down the stiles.A long spell on aladder tires the user,who then losesbalance or holdStep 8The ladder userBring the ladder down if the wind picks up, or if rain or icemakes it unsafe.Overreaching, forceor heavy handlingpulls the user offbalanceStep 9The ladder userReposition from the ground instead of leaning sideways. Use aguarded platform for force or bulky work.Overreaching or astuck lump of siltpulls the user off theladder, and dirtygutter water carriesinfectionStep 10The ladder userand the person atthe footClear only what is within reach, then move the ladder. Comedown if the silt needs force. Wear gloves, keep cuts covered,and wash your hands before eating.Debris, tools orunfinished work leftin the areaStep 11Workers,occupants andvisitorsRemove waste by the agreed route. Record and protect anyunfinished work.Worked example. Change it to fit your job before you use it.Page 4 of 4

Method statement and risk assessment, side by side

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.

Use an example, then make it yours

HSE says not to just copy an example and put your company name on it: that would not satisfy the law or protect your people.

The builder asks about your site and rewrites the hazards and steps.

RAMS example questions

Are these real jobs?

No. Every job, company, person and address here is made up. Each one is a worked example written with our builder, and every page says so.

Can I use one as it is?

No. Your site, your people and your emergency arrangements will be different. Change it to fit your job before anyone works to it.

Why do they carry ComplyOnSite branding?

They are made with our builder and printed in its standard design. A RAMS you build yourself carries your company name.

Word or PDF?

Both. Word if you will change the wording yourself, PDF to read or print. Or press Use this and edit it in the builder, then download your own copy.

Where is the blank?

On the RAMS template page. These examples are all filled in.

How were they checked?

Each one is read against published guidance, mainly from HSE, for its facts, the order of the work and its emergency arrangements. The sources are listed beside it. If a document changes, it comes off this page until it has been checked again. The check covers the example, not your job.