Carpentry and Joinery RAMS Guide for UK Contractors

Key Topics in a Carpentry and Joinery RAMS

Wood dust COSHH and Workplace Exposure Limits

Wood dust is a COSHH-regulated substance with legally-enforced Workplace Exposure Limits: 1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) for hardwood dust and 5 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) for softwood dust. Hardwood dust is classified by IARC as a Group 1 human carcinogen, associated with nasal cancer on prolonged occupational exposure. Both hardwood and softwood dust cause occupational asthma. The RAMS must identify the species and types of wood in the scope, assess whether the WEL is likely to be exceeded without controls, specify the dust control measures, and specify the RPE required. For operations with significant dust generation — routing, disc sanding, power planing — dust controls (on-tool extraction, LEV) must be implemented as the primary measure, with RPE as backup. Relying on RPE alone as the primary dust control is not compliant with the COSHH hierarchy.

HAVS and noise from power tools

Regular use of vibrating power tools — jigsaws, sanders, routers, and nail guns — exposes operatives to hand-arm vibration. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set an action value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) and an exposure limit of 5 m/s² A(8). Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is an irreversible condition. The RAMS must calculate indicative daily vibration exposure for the tools to be used, specify controlled exposure times and rotation between tasks, and identify operatives for health surveillance where exposure is above the action value. Noise from circular saws, routers, and nail guns routinely exceeds 85 dB(A) — the first action value in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Hearing protection zones must be established and ear defenders worn in those zones.

Service strikes in first-fix drilling and nailing

First-fix carpentry involves fixing into walls, floors, ceilings, and structural elements before services are concealed. The risk of striking concealed electrical cables, gas pipework, or water pipes is significant, particularly in refurbishment work where as-built drawings may not reflect the actual service layout. The RAMS must require a cable and pipe detector sweep of all planned drill and nail positions before fixing into any wall, floor, or ceiling. Drilling or nailing must stop immediately if an unexpected material is encountered, and the situation must be reported before work continues.