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RAMS by trade · UK

Demolition and strip-out RAMS

Create a site-specific demolition or strip-out RAMS online. Describe the job, review suggested risks and method steps, and download a professional PDF.

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Typical scope

  • Soft strip
  • Internal demolition
  • Structural demolition (high-level overview)
  • Facade removal prep
  • Skip and waste routes
  • Live-site strip-out

Never start soft strip without clarity on asbestos and structure. Sequence is a control.

Quick answer

A demolition or soft-strip RAMS must lead with surveys (including asbestos), exclusion, structural sequence, dust/noise and how services are isolated before strip-out begins.

Primary topic: strip out method statement. UK contractors — review every document before you issue it. SafeForJob does not replace competent judgement or HSE guidance.

What usually goes wrong

These are the operational gaps that make generic Word RAMS fail on the next site.

  • Asbestos survey ignored

    Refurb/demolition surveys before disturbance.

  • Services live

    Isolation certificates before strip.

  • Public interface

    Dust, noise and falling materials near boundaries.

Example

Soft strip of a 1980s office floor

Built from one job description. You review and adjust every item before issuing it.

Job description

Soft strip floor 4 at Civic House ahead of Cat-A fit-out. R&D asbestos survey complete, live services capped, temporary dust screens to stair cores, skips in the service yard.

Activities identified

  • General site work
  • Dust-generating work
  • Work in an older building
  • Outdoor or exposed work

Method (5 steps)

  1. 1.Arrive and sign in. Arrive at Civic House, floor 4, report to the Civic House Ltd site contact, sign in and complete any site induction.
  2. 2.Brief the team. Brief all operatives on this RAMS, the COSHH assessments and the emergency arrangements. Record attendance.
  3. 3.Check the asbestos register. Check the asbestos register or survey for the work area with the site contact before disturbing any fabric.
  4. 4.Clear up and remove waste. Clear the work area, remove waste from site (including recovered refrigerant and hazardous waste) and leave the area safe.
  5. 5.Hand over and sign out. Hand over to the Civic House Ltd site contact, report anything outstanding and sign out.

Main risks (3 in total)

Dust (including silica)

Residual Medium

Who: Operatives, people nearby

  • Use pre-formed holes, or methods that create less dust
  • On-tool extraction (M- or H-class) or water suppression when cutting or drilling
  • Clean up with an M-class vacuum — no dry sweeping
  • Face-fit tested RPE (FFP3 or equivalent) worn

Disturbing asbestos

Residual Medium

Who: Operatives, building occupants

  • Asbestos register / refurbishment survey checked for the work area before starting
  • Do not drill, cut or disturb suspect materials; stop work and report if found
  • Operatives have current asbestos awareness training

Adverse weather

Residual Low

Who: Operatives

  • Forecast checked before work; work at height stopped in high winds
  • Breaks, water and shade in hot weather; warm clothing in cold
  • Sun protection on exposed work in summer
Start from this kind of job

What to get right on this document

Surveys first

Asbestos and structural information before methods.

Exclusion and monitoring

Who can enter, when.

Waste routes

Skip locations, segregation, highway licences.

Quick answer

A demolition or soft-strip RAMS must lead with surveys (including asbestos), exclusion, structural sequence, dust/noise and how services are isolated before strip-out begins.

What good looks like on a UK site

Never start soft strip without clarity on asbestos and structure. Sequence is a control. Name the site, the people at risk, and the sequence that keeps them safe. Generic paragraphs that could apply anywhere are the first thing a principal contractor rejects.

How SafeForJob helps

  • Describe the job in plain English and get suggested activities, risks and method steps
  • Edit every line before you download or issue
  • Reuse a previous RAMS and catch old client or site names
  • Attach or create COSHH assessments where hazardous substances appear

What this page is not

This page is not HSE approval, legal advice or a substitute for competent judgement. It helps you draft a clearer strip out method statement document for a named job. You remain responsible for reviewing and issuing it.

Related reading

See what a RAMS is, the free RAMS generator, and HSE guidance on managing risks.

Related pages

All rams by trade · RAMS by trade · Free RAMS generator

Questions

Soft strip vs structural?
Soft strip still needs surveys and exclusion; structural demolition needs specialist planning.
Who holds the asbestos info?
The dutyholder — get the survey before you write the method.
Noise?
Include Section 60/61 or client constraints where relevant.

Primary sources