RAMS for Roofers — What You Actually Need

Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades in UK construction. Falls from height account for the majority of fatal injuries on site — which means your RAMS for roofing work will get scrutinised more than most. Here's what needs to be in it.

Why Roofing RAMS Get Flagged

An inspector on a roofing job isn't just checking that you have a RAMS — they're checking whether it actually reflects the work. Generic documents that say "use appropriate PPE" and "work safely at height" aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Your RAMS needs to describe your specific roof, your specific methods, and your specific controls.

What Hazards Must Be in a Roofer's RAMS

Every roofing RAMS should address:

### Falls from Height

The biggest one. Your document should cover:

• The type of edge protection in use (scaffolding, edge protection boards, MEWP)
• Access and egress to the roof (how workers get up and down safely)
• What happens when the weather changes (high wind, wet surfaces, frost)
• Any work near roof lights, rooflights, or fragile materials

### Fragile Surfaces

If there's any risk of a worker stepping through a fragile surface — older asbestos cement sheeting, corroded metal decking, polycarbonate roof lights — this needs a specific risk entry. HSE is very specific about this. You can't just say "avoid fragile surfaces". You need to say how.

### Manual Handling

Tiles, battens, felt, slates — roofing materials are heavy and awkward. Specify weight limits, use of tile elevators or hoists, and how materials are stored on the roof.

### COSHH

If you're using bitumen products, adhesives, primers, or any chemical on the roof — you need a COSHH assessment for each one. This is separate from your RAMS but should be referenced in it.

### Roof Debris and Falling Objects

Tiles, tools, off-cuts — what stops them going over the edge? Your document should mention debris netting, scaffold toe boards, exclusion zones at ground level.

### Weather Conditions

Roofing is weather-dependent. Your RAMS should state:

• Minimum/maximum wind speed thresholds for working
• What to do if weather deteriorates mid-job
• Ice, frost, and wet surface procedures

Flat Roof vs Pitched Roof — Different RAMS

The hazards differ significantly between flat and pitched work.

Pitched roofs — your main risks are edge falls, roof surface grip, and ridge access. Scaffolding requirements are more prescriptive.

Flat roofs — the risk is often underestimated. "Flat" doesn't mean safe. Key risks include roof edge falls (often no obvious visual cue to the edge), unprotected rooflights, and membrane work hazards.

In your RAMS, specify which type of roof you're working on and tailor the controls accordingly.

Method Statement for Roofing Work

The method statement section of your RAMS should describe the sequence of work step by step:

1. 1Set up and check scaffolding / edge protection
2. 2Strip existing roof covering (if applicable)
3. 3Inspect roof structure for defects
4. 4Install underlay / membrane
5. 5Fix battens (for pitched)
6. 6Install tiles / slates / felt / EPDM
7. 7Ridge and hip work
8. 8Flashings and weatherings
9. 9Clear materials and inspect
10. 10Remove scaffold / protection

Each step should note the hazards relevant to that stage and the controls in place.

What Makes a Roofing RAMS Fail Inspection

• No reference to the specific type of roof or surface
• "Scaffold in place" listed as a control with no detail on what standard
• Fragile materials present but no specific prevention measures
• Weather section missing entirely
• COSHH products used but not referenced

Getting It Done Fast

Writing a detailed, site-specific roofing RAMS from scratch takes hours. The Site Book generates one from your job description — you describe the roof type, the scope, the surface, and it produces a full document with the right hazards, controls, and method steps pre-filled. Review, adjust, download.

[Try the free RAMS generator →](/free/rams-generator)

[Or start a full project →](/signup)