RAMS for System Scaffold UK – Generate in Minutes
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Reviewed against our editorial standards · Last reviewed
System-scaffold RAMS that pass NASC and CISRS audit: Layher / HAKI / Cuplok erection sequencing, advance-guardrail (AGR) discipline, SG4:22 collective fall protection, and TG20:21 tie-pattern compliance. Generate a site-ready document in under five minutes.
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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Why Generic Scaffold RAMS Fail SG4 Audit
System-scaffold submissions are rejected when erection and dismantle aren't separated into distinct method sequences, when advance-guardrail (AGR) discipline isn't named, and when the supporting TG20:21 compliance sheet or bespoke design drawing isn't cross-referenced inside the RAMS. SG4:22 expects collective protection at every working lift — a generic "harness if working at height" line will fail audit because harness is mitigation, not prevention, and a competent auditor will see that immediately.
Scaffold-related incidents including collapse and falls during erection/dismantling account for a significant proportion of construction fatalities.
How Riskora Helps
Riskora pre-loads the system-scaffold hazard register NASC and CISRS auditors actually check — falling persons and objects during erect / dismantle, tie failure, base-jack overload, overhead services, mixing components across systems — each mapped to WAH 2005, TG20:21 and SG4:22. Pick Layher Allround, HAKI Universal or Cuplok, set lift heights, tie pattern and live load class, then download. Need a standalone document for a complex package? Pair with a risk assessment or method statement.
Who it's for
- Contractors preparing RAMS for principal contractor approval
- Site managers reviewing documentation before work begins
- Subcontractors producing task-specific safety documentation
- Safety professionals standardising documentation quality
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 and CDM 2015, and what 'suitable and sufficient' means.
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.
System Scaffold — Hazard Register (Site-Typical Entries)
Layher / HAKI / Cuplok / Kwikstage erection has a different residual hazard profile to tube-and-fitting work — the connection mechanism removes some hazards (slipped couplers) and introduces others (component mis-pairing, ledger end fracture). This register reflects what reviewers expect on a system-scaffold-specific RAMS.
| Hazard | Who is at risk | Primary control | Regulation reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from leading edge during lift erection | Scaffolder, advanced trainee | Advance guard-rail method (NASC SG4:22) — temporary handrail installed before access; harness as fallback only | WAH 2005 + NASC SG4:22 |
| Collapse — inadequate foundation / sole-board bearing | All site personnel | Bearing-capacity calc by competent person (TG20:21); base plates on continuous sole boards; never on uncompacted fill | CDM 2015 reg 19 |
| Component mis-pairing — non-original ledgers/standards | Scaffolder, end users | Single-system rule on each lift; visual ID at yard load-out; reject foreign components on site | PUWER 1998 reg 4 + 8 |
| Wind uplift on sheeted / netted scaffold | Scaffolder, public | TG20:21 wind region check; tie pattern revised for sheeting; stop work at gusts > mph defined in handover | WAH 2005 reg 4 |
| Falling components during dismantle | Operatives below, public | Hand-down sequence (never throw); enclosed chute or tag-line to ground; exclusion zone with banksman | CDM 2015 reg 13 |
| Manual handling — ledgers, transoms (~15–22 kg) | Scaffolder | Pass-up sequence one lift at a time; gin wheel for > 3rd lift; MAC scored in RAMS | MHO 1992 reg 4 |
| Loading exceeded by follow-on trades | All scaffold users | Scafftag (or equiv) with duty rating; handover certificate with kN/m²; weekly inspection signed by competent person | WAH 2005 reg 12 |
UK Regulations & Standards That Apply to System Scaffold
- Work at Height Regulations 2005 — the foundational duty. Regulation 6 hierarchy applies to the scaffolder erecting just as much as to the trades using the scaffold; weekly inspections under regulation 12 must be by a competent person, recorded.
- NASC TG20:21 — the industry standard for tube-and-fitting and the compliance benchmark referenced by system manufacturer manuals. Reviewers expect a TG20 compliance sheet (or equivalent system-specific design) attached to the RAMS for any non-standard configuration.
- NASC SG4:22 — Preventing falls in scaffolding operations — defines safe systems of work for scaffolders erecting and dismantling. The RAMS must reference the advance guard-rail method or, where impractical, the documented justification.
- CDM 2015 reg 19 — structural integrity duty: any scaffold structure that supports loads or persons must be erected to a design that ensures stability throughout its life.
- PUWER 1998 — system components are work equipment. They must be suitable, in good repair, and used only by trained operatives.
- Manufacturer technical guidance — Layher All-Round, HAKI Universal, Cuplok and Kwikstage each publish a User Guide that becomes part of the safe system of work. Cite the manual version number in the RAMS.
- BS EN 12810 / BS EN 12811 — performance and design requirements for prefabricated facade scaffolds; the standard scaffold designers test against.
System Scaffold — Method Statement Excerpt
Sequence Riskora generates for a typical Layher All-Round independent scaffold to a 4-storey facade with brick guards and debris netting.
- Site induction; collect design drawing and ground bearing assessment; verify against TG20:21 / system manual.
- Mark out base line; lay continuous sole boards 38 mm thick min on compacted ground.
- Set base plates (adjustable jacks) plumb; first lift ledgers fitted into rosettes/cups and wedged.
- Erect first lift of standards (max 2.0 m bay, 2.0 m lift); fit ledgers and transoms; level the first lift before continuing.
- Install advance guard rail (SG4:22) before any operative steps onto the lift platform.
- Pass-up boards and lay; clip-on toeboards; ladder access in dedicated ladder bay with trap.
- Place wall ties per pattern (typically every 4 m² with adjustment for sheeted/netted); pull-test 1 in 4 to 6 kN.
- Repeat lift sequence; install bracing as designed (facade and ledger braces per system).
- Fit debris netting / monoflex sheeting if specified; revise tie pattern accordingly.
- Fit brick guards above traffic routes; double guard rail and toeboard at top working lift.
- Independent handover inspection by competent person; Scafftag fitted with loading class and date.
- Weekly statutory inspection (reg 12 WAH) — record kept on site; re-inspect after high winds / alteration.
- Dismantle in reverse sequence — never strip a tie before the lift above is removed; hand-down components.
PPE & Competency Requirements
Minimum PPE on task
- EN 12492 climbing-style helmet with Y-chinstrap (mandatory for scaffolders per CISRS)
- EN 361 full-body harness with twin energy-absorbing lanyards (SG4 specification)
- EN ISO 20345 S3 footwear with mid-foot protection and slip-resistant outsole
- Cut-resistant gloves (EN 388) for component handling; cold-resistant in winter
- Hi-vis EN ISO 20471 Class 2 minimum; Class 3 for highway-adjacent work
- Eye protection (EN 166) during hammering of wedges / pinning
Competency / cards
- CISRS Scaffolder or Advanced Scaffolder card (system-specific endorsement, e.g. CISRS Systems)
- System manufacturer training (Layher / HAKI / Cuplok / Kwikstage product course)
- SG4 awareness — minimum required for any operative working at height during erection
- CISRS Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS) for the competent person inspecting
- First-aider on shift; rescue-from-height drill rehearsed and recorded
- SSSTS for the supervising charge-hand; SMSTS for the contracts manager on notifiable works
Key Features
- Task-specific hazard libraries
- Pre-loaded control measures and method steps
- Risk matrix with severity and likelihood scoring
- Professional formatting accepted by principal contractors
- Version control and document history
- Download to PDF
Common Questions Before Getting Started
Will this take long?
Under 5 minutes. Select your trade, pick hazards, download.
Is it complicated?
No training needed. The guided builder walks you through every step.
Do I need experience?
If you know what work you're doing, you can use Riskora.
Is it free to try?
Yes. The Free plan needs no card — generate, review and download one free PDF. Upgrade any time for branding, DOCX, sign-off and higher limits.
Create your RAMS in under 5 minutes
No onboarding or setup needed — start generating documents instantly
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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.
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.