When this template fits
Written for general trades and labourers using angle grinders and cut-off saws on site — cutting steel, rebar, paving, blockwork and kerbs, and grinding welds or surfaces flush. A grinding risk assessment is one of the most commonly requested hot works documents because abrasive wheels and travelling sparks cause a high proportion of site injuries and fires. This RAMS sets out the wheel, dust, vibration and fire controls so the competent person can confirm the operator is trained under PUWER before the work starts.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Abrasive cutting and grinding with spark, dust and noise risk.
Sequence of works
- 1PLAN & PERMIT: Obtain a hot works permit, confirm the task location, identify nearby combustible materials, services and bystander routes. Confirm HAV and noise exposure limits will not be breached.
- 2AREA PREPARATION: Clear or protect all combustible materials within 5 m. Erect barrier tape or hoarding to create an exclusion zone. Position appropriate fire extinguisher within reach. Ensure adequate ventilation or local exhaust extraction is set up.
- 3TOOL AND WHEEL CHECK: Inspect the tool for cable damage, guard integrity and trigger function. Perform a ring test on the abrasive wheel; verify wheel type, size and RPM rating match the tool and material. Mount wheel using correct flanges and torque — only by a trained abrasive wheels operative.
- 4ELECTRICAL SAFETY CHECK: Confirm power supply is 110 V CTE or that a 30 mA RCD is in circuit and has been tested. For battery tools, verify charge state and battery condition.
- 5PPE DONNING: All personnel in the zone don full face shield over safety spectacles, FFP3 respirator, EN 352 ear defenders, flame-resistant workwear, cut-resistant gloves (while handling materials), safety footwear and hi-vis.
- 6WORKPIECE SECURING: Clamp or fix the workpiece securely so it cannot move, kick back or pinch the wheel during cutting. Mark the cut line clearly.
- 7CUTTING / GRINDING: Start the tool away from the workpiece; allow it to reach full speed before contact. Apply steady, controlled pressure; do not force the wheel. Keep body and bystanders clear of the cutting plane. Switch off and allow wheel to stop fully before setting the tool down.
- 8DUST AND DEBRIS MANAGEMENT: During the work ensure wet suppression or LEV is operating effectively. Collect swarf and waste into appropriate containers; do not blow dust with compressed air.
- 9POST-WORK FIRE WATCH: On completion, inspect the work area for smouldering materials. Maintain a fire watch for a minimum of 60 minutes. Confirm the permit is signed off and closed.
- 10TOOL STORAGE AND REPORTING: Remove and store the wheel safely; return the tool to store. Report any defects, near misses or HAV/noise exceedances to the supervisor. Record daily vibration trigger times on the site HAV register.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Abrasive wheel disintegration
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Inspect every wheel for cracks, chips or damage before fitting; reject any defective wheel immediately.
- › Ensure wheel is rated for the material being cut and that the tool's no-load RPM does not exceed the wheel's maximum marked RPM.
- › Ensure the tool's integral guard is fitted, correctly adjusted, and not removed or defeated at any time.
- › Only operatives who have received recognised abrasive wheels training may mount or dress wheels.
Inhalation of respirable dust
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use wet-cutting attachments or water suppression at the blade to suppress dust at source wherever practicable.
- › Attach H-class or M-class vacuum extraction unit directly to the tool to capture dust at the point of generation.
- › Establish an exclusion zone around cutting activity; position operatives and bystanders upwind of dust cloud.
- › Provide and wear a minimum FFP3-rated disposable or half-mask respirator where residual dust exposure remains after engineering controls.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Consider using diamond wire saws, hydraulic cutters or track saws in place of angle grinders where the task permits.
- › Designate and sign a hearing protection zone around all cutting and grinding operations; restrict entry to authorised personnel.
- › Provide minimum SNR 30 dB ear defenders or combined ear defenders/plugs adequate to reduce exposure below 85 dB(A) at the ear.
Hand-arm vibration
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select tools with published low vibration emission values; check manufacturer HAV data and prefer tools below 2.5 m/s².
- › Implement job rotation and planned rest breaks to keep daily vibration exposure (EAV) below 2.5 m/s² A(8); use a HAV calculator to plan trigger times.
- › Where residual risk remains, provide ISO 10819-compliant anti-vibration gloves; note these provide limited benefit and do not replace exposure reduction.
Spark ignition fire
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Remove or relocate all combustible materials within a minimum 5 m radius before commencing work; cover fixed items with fire-resistant blankets.
- › Issue a site hot works permit for each session, specifying the area, time, precautions, fire watch requirements and permit expiry.
- › Maintain a trained fire watch for a minimum of 60 minutes after all cutting and grinding ceases to detect smouldering ignition.
- › Position a suitable fire extinguisher (CO2 or dry powder as appropriate to materials present) within arm's reach of the operator at all times.
Eye injury from projectiles
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Keep the tool's integral guard in the correct position to deflect ejected particles away from the operator.
- › Wear an EN 166-rated full face shield over EN 166 rated safety spectacles during all grinding and cutting; spectacles alone are insufficient for grinding.
- › Prevent bystanders from entering the work area without equivalent eye protection; use barrier tape or hoarding.
Electric shock from tool
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use 110 V CTE-supplied tools or battery-powered tools in preference to 230 V mains equipment on construction sites.
- › Ensure all 230 V power tools are protected by a 30 mA RCD at the point of supply; test the RCD before each use.
- › Inspect the power cable and plug for damage before each use; remove and tag-out any tool with damaged insulation for repair.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use trolleys, sack trucks or lifting equipment for large cut-off saws and heavy workpieces rather than manual carrying.
- › Brief operatives on safe manual handling technique; use two-person lift for awkward or heavier items.
Cuts and lacerations from wheels and workpieces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use tools with functional dead-man (self-cancelling) trigger switches; clamp or secure workpieces so they cannot move during cutting.
- › Operate with both hands on the tool; keep body clear of the cutting line; never reach across or behind a spinning wheel.
- › Wear EN 388-rated cut-resistant gloves (minimum level C) when handling cut materials and changing wheels; not to be worn while operating the rotating tool.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Eye/face protection
- ✓ Flame-resistant gloves
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Angle grinder and petrol/electric cut-off saw with rated abrasive or diamond wheels
- › On-tool M/H-class dust extraction unit or water suppression kit
- › Wheel guards, side handles and correct mounting flanges
- › Spark screens and fire blankets
- › CO2 or dry powder extinguisher
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ The operative named on the RAMS holds current abrasive wheels training and the wheel rpm rating is matched to the tool
- ✓ Dust control is at-source (on-tool extraction or wet cutting) for any masonry/concrete, not RPE alone
- ✓ HAVS trigger times are stated for the specific tools and the spark-path clearance distance is given for the fire risk
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Do operatives need a ticket to change an abrasive wheel?
There is no single legal 'ticket', but under PUWER anyone who mounts or changes an abrasive wheel must be trained and competent to do so, and HSE guidance HSG17 sets out what that training covers. In practice this is delivered as an abrasive wheels course, and principal contractors will ask to see the certificate before the work starts. The training covers wheel selection, inspection, correct flanges and blotters, guarding and safe speeds. Naming an untrained operative on the RAMS is a common reason for it being sent back.
Can I dry-cut paving slabs if I wear a dust mask?
No — dry-cutting masonry, paving or concrete releases respirable crystalline silica at levels a disposable mask cannot control on its own. COSHH requires you to control the dust at source first, using on-tool extraction or water suppression, and only then add RPE such as a face-fitted FFP3 as a supplement. Uncontrolled dry-cutting is one of the enforcement priorities HSE inspects for on site. Your grinding risk assessment should specify the suppression method, not rely on a mask.
What regulations apply to cutting & grinding?
PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are the main ones, alongside Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.