Lightning Protection RAMS: Risk Assessments for LPS Installation Under BS EN 62305

Table of Contents

• Why Lightning Protection RAMS Matter
• BS EN 62305 and Your Documentation Obligations
• Key Hazards in LPS Installation
• Air Terminals: Working at Height on Roofs
• Earth Rods, Earthing, and Bonding
• Surge Protection Devices and Electrical Interface
• What Your LPS RAMS Must Cover
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Lightning Protection RAMS Matter

Lightning protection system (LPS) installation is a specialist trade that most contractors underestimate in terms of its health and safety complexity. The work involves prolonged working at height on exposed rooftops, driving earth rods into potentially contaminated ground, and connecting surge protection devices into live electrical systems — all activities that require thorough risk assessment and method statement documentation.

Under CDM 2015, LPS contractors are duty holders who must produce a project-specific RAMS before installation begins. Rooftop work on commercial buildings — particularly in exposed, windy conditions — is one of the highest-risk working environments in UK construction, and principal contractors require detailed working at height controls before approving access to the roof.

This guide explains what a compliant lightning protection RAMS must include, with particular focus on the rooftop working at height controls that are most frequently deficient.

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BS EN 62305 and Your Documentation Obligations

BS EN 62305 (Protection Against Lightning) is the UK and European standard for lightning protection system design and installation. It consists of four parts:

• BS EN 62305-1 — General principles
• BS EN 62305-2 — Risk management
• BS EN 62305-3 — Physical damage to structures and life hazard (external LPS)
• BS EN 62305-4 — Electrical and electronic systems within structures (SPD)

Your RAMS should reference the relevant parts of BS EN 62305 and confirm that the LPS design has been prepared by a competent person with appropriate qualifications (typically a member of the Lightning Protection Association or holder of an ATLAS qualification). The installation must be inspected and certified upon completion — your RAMS should confirm the inspection and certification process.

Key Hazards in LPS Installation

• Working at height on exposed rooftops — The primary hazard in LPS installation. Air terminals, ridge conductors, and roof-level bonding involve sustained rooftop working in conditions that may be exposed and windy.
• Edge protection and fragile surfaces — Commercial rooftops typically have parapet walls (often inadequate as fall protection), roof lights (fragile surfaces that must not be stepped on), and plant structures that create trip hazards.
• Earth rod driving — Driving earth rods into the ground involves impact tools and creates risks of striking buried services. Ground investigation and service drawings must be obtained before rod driving begins.
• Contaminated ground — Earth rods driven into contaminated ground can release hazardous material. On brownfield sites or industrial premises, ground investigation data must be reviewed before excavation for earth electrodes.
• Electrical interface for surge protection devices (SPDs) — Installing SPDs into distribution boards involves working adjacent to live electrical equipment. This must be treated as live electrical work.
• Manual handling of conductor rolls and fixings — Lightning protection tape and round conductor rolls are heavy and awkward to carry on rooftops. Manual handling risk assessment must address roof-level carrying over uneven surfaces.

Air Terminals: Working at Height on Roofs

Air terminal installation is conducted at the highest point of the structure — the apex of the lightning risk hierarchy and the highest point of the working at height risk. Your RAMS must specify:

• Edge protection method — What collective edge protection will be used for the duration of rooftop work? Options include temporary barriers, roof safety rails, or a bespoke scaffold edge protection system. Where the parapet wall is below 950 mm high, it does not constitute adequate edge protection and supplementary collective protection must be installed.
• Fragile surface identification — All fragile surfaces on the roof must be identified before work begins. Your RAMS must specify that operatives will not step on roof lights or any surface that has not been confirmed as capable of supporting their weight, and that crawling boards will be used across fragile or unverified surfaces.
• Weather restrictions — Rooftop LPS work must not be conducted in high winds (typically above Beaufort 5 — strong breeze, 29-38 km/h), heavy rain, or icy conditions. Your RAMS must specify the weather restrictions and confirm who is responsible for assessing conditions and stopping work when limits are exceeded.
• Fall arrest backup — Where the work activity requires operatives to approach within 2 m of an unprotected edge, personal fall arrest (full-body harness, energy-absorbing lanyard, and certified anchor point) must be used in addition to collective edge protection.

Earth Rods, Earthing, and Bonding

The earthing system is the critical performance component of any LPS. Your RAMS must address:

• Service identification before ground works — Earth rods are driven into the ground using an electric or pneumatic hammer. Before any ground-breaking, the location of all buried services (gas, water, electricity, telecoms, drainage) must be identified using service plans, a Cat and Genny survey (CAT/C.A.T. + genny), and visual inspection of the ground surface for service indicators. This is a mandatory pre-commencement step — no earth rods should be driven without completing this step.
• Contaminated ground assessment — If the site is on or adjacent to former industrial land, a contaminated land assessment should be obtained before driving earth rods. Contaminated ground can contain hydrocarbon, heavy metal, or other hazardous materials that may be disturbed during rod driving.
• Manual handling of driving equipment — Electric or pneumatic rod-driving tools are heavy and generate vibration. Your RAMS must address hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure for rod-driving operations where the cumulative daily exposure approaches the exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s².
• Bonding to building metalwork — Structural bonding connections are typically made by drilling and bolting to structural steelwork. Silica dust controls are required for drilling into concrete or masonry during bonding conductor installation.

Surge Protection Devices and Electrical Interface

Installing SPDs in distribution boards involves connecting to live or recently energised electrical equipment. This must be treated as a live electrical work activity under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989:

• Confirm whether the distribution board can be isolated before SPD installation
• If isolation is not possible, document the live working justification in your RAMS
• Specify the PPE for live work: insulated gloves, face shield, insulated tools, rubber matting
• Confirm that the SPD is rated for the fault current of the distribution board into which it is being installed

What Your LPS RAMS Must Cover

• Standard reference: BS EN 62305 (relevant parts), CDM 2015
• Rooftop working at height: edge protection method, fragile surface assessment, weather restrictions, fall arrest backup
• Service identification before ground works: CAT scan procedure, drawings obtained and reviewed
• Ground contamination: brownfield assessment if applicable
• HAV assessment for rod-driving equipment
• Silica dust controls for bonding installation drilling
• SPD installation: live working assessment, controls, PPE
• Manual handling on rooftop: conductor rolls, fixings, carrying routes
• Emergency procedures and rescue for rooftop operatives
• Completion inspection and certification process
• CDM pre-start briefing record

Frequently Asked Questions

Do LPS contractors need to produce a separate RAMS for earth rod installation and rooftop air terminal work?

Not necessarily — a single comprehensive RAMS covering all phases of the LPS installation is acceptable. However, the document must address both activities specifically. Some contractors find it helpful to structure the RAMS in phases (Phase 1: Rooftop works; Phase 2: Down conductor installation; Phase 3: Earth electrode system; Phase 4: SPD installation) to make the hazards and controls for each phase clear. This also helps the principal contractor understand the sequence of work and approve each phase independently if needed.

What wind speed restriction should we specify for rooftop LPS work?

The HSE and NASC guidance on wind speed restrictions for outdoor working at height typically references Beaufort Force 5 (strong breeze, gusts up to 38 km/h) as the limit for most elevated working. For particularly exposed rooftops or where large components are being handled, a lower limit (Beaufort Force 4, up to 28 km/h) may be appropriate. Specify a measurable trigger (e.g., a wind speed monitor reading, or a weather forecast threshold) rather than a subjective "no working in high winds" statement, which is unenforceable.

What happens if we find buried services where we planned to drive earth rods?

Stop immediately and do not proceed with rod driving in that location. Consult the service drawings to understand the service type, depth, and owner. Report the conflict to the principal contractor and LPS designer. An alternative earth rod location must be agreed — the LPS designer may need to reposition the electrode or specify an alternative earthing system (such as a ring electrode or foundation earth electrode). Record the conflict, the decision, and any revised RAMS amendment before recommencing.