Occupied Building Works RAMS Guide for UK Contractors

Key Topics in an Occupied Building Works RAMS

Segregation between contractors and building users

The RAMS must describe the physical segregation measures between the work area and areas in use by building occupants — hoarding, temporary partitions, signage, controlled access points, and dedicated contractor access routes (separate to occupant routes where possible). The segregation must prevent unauthorised access into the work area and must not create dead-ends or impede emergency escape for occupants. Access routes for deliveries and waste removal must be confirmed with building management before works start to avoid conflict with building users during busy periods.

Dust and noise controls for occupied premises

Cutting, grinding, drilling, and demolition in occupied buildings generate dust and noise that affect building users who cannot be relocated. The RAMS must specify: the dust suppression method (wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation, HEPA vacuum), the silica dust control measures where required by COSHH (RPE to FFP3, LEV), the working hours restrictions for noisy operations agreed with building management, and the monitoring or indicative measurement approach for dust (e.g. personal sampler for RCS). For healthcare, educational, and residential settings, noise limits and working hours may be contractually specified by the client.

Emergency escape routes

Emergency escape routes for building occupants must be maintained clear and fully signed at all times, regardless of the construction programme. The RAMS must identify all escape routes affected by the works, confirm that no route will be blocked at any stage without a formally agreed alternative route in place, and describe the procedure for informing building management and the fire warden if works temporarily affect fire doors, stairwells, or corridors. If fire compartmentation is breached (e.g. fire doors removed, fire-rated walls penetrated), interim fire precautions must be described and agreed before the breach occurs.

Safeguarding and vulnerable persons

Works in schools, hospitals, care homes, and residential buildings require specific consideration of vulnerable people — children, patients, elderly residents — who may not be able to recognise or respond to construction hazards. The RAMS must describe the additional precautions: DBS checks for workers with unsupervised access to vulnerable groups, supervision requirements for children near the work area, communication routes with care staff, and stop-work protocols if an unsupervised child or vulnerable adult enters the work area. In schools, the CDM client (usually the local authority or academy trust) will typically set specific safeguarding requirements as a condition of the works.