RAMS for Demolition Work (UK)
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Reviewed against our editorial standards · Last reviewed
Generate structured RAMS for demolition projects — aligned with BS 6187:2011 and CDM 2015 Reg 22. Covers structural sequencing, R&D asbestos surveys, dust and noise control, exclusion zones, and waste classification.
UK (RAMS) example document — Two-Storey Rear Extension — 14 Birchwood Lane, Reading. Client: Mr & Mrs A. Whitfield (Private Client). Site: 14 Birchwood Lane, Reading, RG1 5JT. Scope: Construction of a two-storey rear extension (6.4m × 4.2m) to an existing semi-detached dwelling. Works comprise breaking out of existing rear elevation, trench-fill foundations to 1.0m, traditional cavity blockwork to first floor, pre-stressed concrete lintels, timber roof structure with natural slate finish, plus alterations to existing rear wall to form structural opening with rolled steel joist (RSJ 203×102 UB23). Works programmed over 9 weeks with a peak site team of 6 operatives. Hazards assessed: Manual handling — blocks, lintels, plasterboard, Working at height — independent scaffold & roof structure, Buried services strike during excavation, Collapse of excavation / trench wall, Hand-arm vibration (HAVS) — breaking out, drilling, Silica dust — cutting blocks, brick, concrete, Vehicle/pedestrian segregation — narrow domestic street.
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What should a demolition RAMS include?
A demolition RAMS must reference the structural appraisal by a competent engineer (CDM 2015 Reg 22), the Refurbishment & Demolition asbestos survey (HSG264), the demolition method (top-down progressive, deliberate collapse, mechanical high-reach, push/pull or deconstruction), structural sequencing approved by the engineer, exclusion zone calculations, dust suppression to control silica below the 0.1 mg/m³ WEL, noise and vibration limits for nearby receptors, service disconnection confirmations, waste classification under EWC codes, and emergency procedures including structural failure and unexpected asbestos discovery.
What is a demolition RAMS?
A demolition RAMS is a combined Risk Assessment and Method Statement prepared specifically for the demolition or deconstruction of structures. It is one of the most scrutinised safety documents on any construction project because demolition carries the highest risk profile of any construction activity. Under CDM 2015 Reg 22, demolition must be planned and carried out in a way that prevents danger, and the RAMS forms the core of that planning documentation alongside the structural appraisal.
Demolition Is the Highest-Risk Activity in Construction
Demolition is governed by BS 6187:2011 'Code of practice for full and partial demolition' — the document HSE inspectors and principal contractors will measure your method statement against. CDM 2015 Reg 22 makes specific demolition duties: a written plan, structural appraisal by a competent engineer, identification of asbestos under HSG264 with a Refurbishment & Demolition survey, and a sequence that controls collapse rather than relying on it. Add the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, COSHH 2002 (silica dust during concrete reduction — WEL 0.1 mg/m³), the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, and the Environmental Permitting Regulations for waste management — and a generic 'demolition RAMS' simply does not exist as a credible document. The work has to be planned phase by phase, with engineering input. Many contractors aren't sure what a RAMS document actually requires, which leads to submissions being rejected.
HSE classifies demolition as one of the highest-risk activities in construction. Structural collapse during demolition has caused multiple UK fatalities. CDM 2015 Reg 22 requires demolition to be planned by a competent person, with a written method statement before work begins, and the sequence approved by a structural engineer where stability is affected. BS 6187:2011 is the industry benchmark for the method itself.
How Riskora Helps
Riskora generates demolition RAMS structured around BS 6187:2011 and CDM 2015 Reg 22. Select your demolition method — top-down progressive, deliberate collapse, mechanical high-reach, push/pull, or soft strip — and the builder prompts for the structural appraisal reference, R&D asbestos survey reference (HSG264), exclusion zone calculations, dust suppression strategy, noise and vibration limits, and waste classification under EWC codes. Reference pre-demolition surveys, structural engineer input and CDM documentation directly in the output. If you're new to RAMS, our step-by-step guide explains the fundamentals.
Who it's for
- Demolition contractors preparing RAMS for principal contractor approval
- Structural engineers reviewing demolition sequences and method statements
- Principal contractors managing demolition phases on multi-trade sites
- Soft strip contractors documenting internal demolition and strip-out work
- Asbestos removal contractors coordinating with demolition teams
- Refurbishment teams documenting partial demolition within occupied buildings
- Local authorities reviewing demolition method statements for planning compliance
Understand the Fundamentals
Before you generate your document, these guides cover the knowledge that underpins every good RAMS, risk assessment, and method statement.
What Is a RAMS Document?
Understand the two components of a RAMS and why they're required before work begins on site.
How to Write a RAMS Document
A step-by-step guide to structuring your RAMS from project details through to sign-off.
UK Legal Requirements for Risk Assessments
What the law requires under MHSWR 1999, CDM 2015 Reg 22 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Who Needs a RAMS?
Find out whether your work requires a RAMS and who is responsible for producing one.
How to Write a RAMS (UK Guide)
A practical walkthrough of writing RAMS from scratch, covering structure, common mistakes, and what reviewers look for.
Construction Safety Documents Explained
An overview of the key safety documents required on UK construction sites and how they relate to each other.
Who needs to approve a demolition method statement?
The demolition sequence in the RAMS should be reviewed and approved by a structural engineer where structural stability is affected. The principal contractor must review and accept the RAMS before work begins. Under CDM 2015, the principal designer should also be consulted on the demolition planning.
Do I need an asbestos survey before demolition?
Yes. A Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) asbestos survey is a legal requirement before any demolition or major refurbishment of buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. The survey must be carried out by a competent surveyor (typically UKAS-accredited). Your RAMS must reference the survey findings and confirm that all identified ACMs have been removed or managed before demolition begins.
What demolition methods need RAMS?
All do — top-down progressive demolition, mechanical demolition using long-reach excavators, deliberate controlled collapse, deconstruction (reverse construction), soft strip and internal demolition, and demolition by explosives. Each method has different risk profiles and requires method-specific hazards and controls.
Key Risks and Considerations
- •Premature structural collapse — uncontrolled failure of load-bearing elements
- •Asbestos exposure — disturbing ACMs during demolition of pre-2000 structures (HSG264)
- •Falls from height — working on unstable structures, edges and partially demolished floors
- •Being struck by falling materials, debris or structural elements
- •Silica and dust exposure — concrete, brick and masonry cutting and crushing (COSHH WEL 0.1 mg/m³)
- •Noise and vibration — from breakers, crushers and mechanical demolition plant
- •Service strikes — gas, electric and water services not fully disconnected or isolated
- •Plant and vehicle movements — excavators, loaders and crushing equipment in confined spaces
- •Fire — from cutting operations, gas leaks or spontaneous combustion of stored materials
- •Collapse of adjacent structures — party walls, shared foundations and boundary walls
What UK Law Actually Says
Direct quotes from the named regulations, with plain-English explanations of what each one means in practice.
Regulation 23, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
“The arrangements for carrying out any demolition or dismantling of a structure must be drawn up before the demolition or dismantling work begins. Such arrangements must be recorded in writing before the demolition or dismantling work begins.”
CDM 2015 Reg 23 is the only regulation that explicitly mandates a written demolition plan. The RAMS is that plan in practice — and Reg 23 makes it non-negotiable. No written plan means no demolition can lawfully begin.
Read the source on legislation.gov.uk →Regulation 11, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
“Every employer must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is made as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises before any work which exposes or is liable to expose his employees to asbestos is carried out.”
An R&D (Refurbishment & Demolition) survey under CAR 2012 is a prerequisite to any demolition RAMS in a building constructed before 2000. The RAMS must reference the survey by date and survey number — and address every ACM identified.
Read the source on legislation.gov.uk →The Numbers Behind the Risk
Why this matters — the most recent published figures from the Health and Safety Executive and ONS.
£3 million combined fines
Combined fines issued to demolition contractors in 2022/23 by HSE prosecutions involving structural collapse, asbestos exposure, or fatal falls. Demolition is one of the highest enforcement-rate sectors per worker.
Source: HSE — Recent prosecutions →12 collapse-related deaths
Construction worker deaths from being trapped by something collapsing or overturning in 2023/24 — a category dominated by demolition and partial-demolition work.
Source: HSE — Construction sector statistics 2023/24 →Worked Example: RAMS for a Two-Storey Brick Outbuilding Demolition
A demolition contractor is engaged to take down a two-storey 1950s brick outbuilding adjoining a live railway boundary. The R&D survey identifies asbestos cement sheeting on the roof and floor tiles containing chrysotile in the upper room. The principal contractor requires a CDM Reg 23 written plan plus a separate ACM removal RAMS.
The structured builder sequences the activity: (1) ACM survey results referenced (survey number, date, surveyor's UKAS reg), (2) Network Rail liaison and possession arrangements documented, (3) licensed asbestos contractor removes ACM under separate plan of work and HSE notification, (4) services confirmed isolated with utility company sign-off attached, (5) hand-demolition of upper storey with a 13t excavator working from the road side only — never the rail side, (6) sequential reduction in 1m lifts with continuous water suppression, (7) muck-away with weighbridge tickets retained.
The structural sequence is supported by a temporary works design (referenced by document number) confirming no propping is required given the building's freestanding nature. Exclusion zones are 2× the height of the highest standing element; banksman maintains them. The RAMS runs to 14 pages, ties together the asbestos plan, the structural sequence and the rail interface, and downloads as a single PDF. Building down on schedule, no incidents.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. No reference to the R&D survey in the demolition RAMS
Why it fails: If the building pre-dates 2000 and the RAMS doesn't address asbestos, the demolition cannot lawfully proceed under CAR 2012. This is a near-automatic prohibition notice if HSE arrive on site.
Fix: Always reference the R&D survey number, surveyor, date, and the response to every ACM identified — even if the response is 'remove under separate licensed contract before demolition begins'.
2. Demolition sequencing described as 'top down'
Why it fails: 'Top down' is a direction, not a sequence. CDM Reg 23 requires the arrangements to be detailed enough that an inspector can see exactly what comes down when, and how the structure remains stable at each stage.
Fix: Sequence the demolition in named lifts or sections with the structural rationale for each. Reference any temporary works design by document number.
3. Exclusion zones smaller than the height of the falling element
Why it fails: The standard rule is exclusion = 1.5× to 2× the height. RAMS that show 5m exclusion zones around 8m walls fail the basic geometry.
Fix: Set the exclusion zone using a documented calculation tied to the highest standing element at each phase. Update the zone as the structure reduces.
Key Features
- Demolition method presets (top-down, mechanical high-reach, deliberate collapse, soft strip)
- Pre-loaded structural collapse and instability hazards
- R&D asbestos survey reference and HSG264 controls
- Service disconnection confirmation checklists
- Exclusion zone and boundary protection documentation
- Silica dust suppression templates (COSHH WEL 0.1 mg/m³)
- Noise and vibration controls for nearby receptors
- Phase-by-phase demolition sequence builder
- Waste classification (EWC) prompts
- Download to PDF — professional output for client and PC submission
Example Structure (UK Standard)
- Project details and structure description
- Pre-demolition survey findings (asbestos R&D, structural, services)
- Structural appraisal reference (CDM 2015 Reg 22)
- Service disconnection confirmations
- Demolition method and structural sequence (engineer-approved)
- Exclusion zones and public protection
- Environmental controls — dust suppression (silica), noise, vibration
- Waste classification (EWC codes) and disposal routes
- Hazard register with risk ratings
- Control measures for each phase
- PPE requirements (RPE for dust, hearing protection, full body harness)
- Plant and equipment requirements
- Emergency procedures (structural failure, asbestos discovery, fire)
- Competence requirements (CCDO, CSCS, asbestos awareness)
Common Questions Before Getting Started
Will this take long?
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Is it complicated?
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Do I need experience?
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Is it free to try?
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All documents generated by Riskora should be reviewed by a competent person before use on site. Riskora provides structured templates — professional judgement is always required.
"In demolition, the RAMS isn't a formality — it's the plan that keeps the structure from coming down on top of your team. If the sequence is wrong, no amount of PPE will save you."
What your RAMS actually contains
Riskora builds a structured, client-facing document — not a generic AI paragraph. Every section is shaped around your job, your site and your team.
Hazards
Task-specific hazards for the job, captured row by row — not a generic list pulled from an old RAMS.
Controls
Control measures mapped to each hazard with residual risk scoring after controls are applied.
PPE
PPE requirements tied to the activity and site, ready to brief to the team.
Method steps
Step-by-step method statement structured around how the work is actually sequenced on site.
Emergency arrangements
First aid, rescue plan, emergency contacts and site-specific escalation routes.
COSHH prompts
Substance prompts when the work involves chemicals, dusts, fumes or sealants — flagged early, not missed at review.
Sign-off
Operative sign-off captured against the document — names, dates and acknowledgement of the brief.
Version history
Every change tracked so you can show what was issued, when, and which version the team signed.
Approval status
Clear approval state on every document — draft, in review, approved, issued — visible across the team.
Audit trail
Who created it, who reviewed it, who signed it. A complete trail you can hand to a principal contractor or auditor.
From copied-and-pasted to site-specific
The reason RAMS get rejected is rarely the format — it's that the document is obviously generic. Riskora rebuilds it around this job, this site and this task.
Generic template copied from an old job.
- • Hazards and controls that don't match this site or task.
- • Method steps written for a different sequence of work.
- • No emergency arrangements specific to the location.
- • Client flags it as generic and asks for a rewrite.
Site-specific document structured around this job, site and task.
- • Hazards captured from the actual scope you pasted in.
- • Method steps sequenced for how the work runs on site.
- • Emergency arrangements and rescue plan tied to the location.
- • Approved internally, briefed to the team, signed off and stored.
From job details to signed-off document
A four-step workflow used by contractors, consultants and safety teams to turn informal job details into client-ready safety paperwork.
- 1Paste job details
Drop in a client email, a WhatsApp from the site manager, a scope of works or a tender note. Anything that describes the job.
- 2Riskora structures the document
Riskora turns your brief into hazards, controls, method steps, PPE, emergency arrangements and COSHH prompts.
- 3Review, edit and download
You stay in control of every section. Tweak anything, then download a clean PDF or share a link.
- 4Brief the team and record sign-off
Brief operatives, capture their sign-off and keep a full audit trail of who signed which version.
Built by people who've written this paperwork on real sites
Riskora is built by a founder with hands-on site and document experience — designed for contractors, consultants and safety teams who need to issue, brief and prove safety paperwork without losing a day to admin.
- Built for contractors, consultants and teams
Solo trades, principal contractors and in-house safety teams all run on the same workflow. - Supports multiple countries
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada — wording and document types match the local standard. - Not just documents
Sign-off, approvals, version history and an audit trail — the management workflow around the paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
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References & Further Reading
Primary UK sources covering the legal and practical framework behind RAMS, risk assessments and method statements.
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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.
Riskora is an assistive document preparation tool. All documents generated must be reviewed, verified, and approved by a competent person before use on site. Riskora does not replace professional safety judgment, and no output should be treated as a legal compliance guarantee.