Roofing RAMS Requirements UK

Common Roofing RAMS Requirements

Roof type and surface assessment

Flat, pitched, or curved. Surface material: clay or concrete tiles, slate, metal decking, felt, single-ply membrane, fibrous cement (fragile). Fragile surface assessment required for any roof that cannot support an operative’s weight at any point.

Work at height controls

Collective protection preferred: edge protection system (double guard rail and toe board), roof ladders and crawling boards for pitched work, safety nets or soft-landing systems where collective edge protection is impractical. Personal fall protection only where collective protection cannot be used — and must be documented.

Fragile surface controls

Any rooflights (GRP, polycarbonate, Georgian wired glass), asbestos cement sheets, or corroded metal should be treated as fragile. Roof boards, netted walkways, or purpose-designed platforms required before access; clearly labelled and inspected before each use.

Hot works controls

Torch-applied felt roofing or other hot works: hot works permit, fire watcher during and 60 minutes after, fire extinguisher on roof, no combustible materials beneath, notification of building occupants below.

Weather restrictions

Do not work on pitched roofs in wind speeds above Beaufort Scale 5. No work on wet or icy pitched surfaces. Weather monitoring requirement and stop-work decision authority named in the RAMS.

Rescue plan

If an operative falls and is suspended in harness or injured on the roof, a written rescue plan is required. Named rescuer, equipment on site, call order for emergency services. Do not rely on calling 999 as the primary rescue method from a high roof.