When this template fits
For teams who must rely on a personal fall-arrest system — harness and lanyard or inertia reel — where collective protection is genuinely not reasonably practicable, such as steel erection, isolated maintenance points and some leading-edge tasks. The first thing a principal contractor looks for in this RAMS is a rescue plan that does not depend on calling 999, because suspension trauma can incapacitate a suspended worker within minutes. It is the last line of the WAHR hierarchy, not a default.
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
Personal fall-arrest with harness where collective protection is not reasonably practicable — including the rescue plan.
Sequence of works
- 1PLANNING: Confirm that collective protection (scaffolding, guardrails, MEWP) is not reasonably practicable for this task and document the justification. Identify all anchor points; have them assessed or designed by a competent person to confirm minimum 12 kN rated capacity (EN 795). Calculate total arrest clearance for each work position and confirm sufficient clearance exists below the operative.
- 2RESCUE PLAN: Produce a written, site-specific rescue plan before any operative ascends. Confirm a trained rescuer and all rescue equipment (descender/ascender, spare lanyard, foot loops, first aid) are on site and accessible. Brief all operatives on the rescue plan, assembly point, and emergency services contact procedure. Consider suspension trauma management in first-aid arrangements.
- 3EQUIPMENT INSPECTION: Before use, each operative inspects their harness, lanyard/inertia reel, and connectors for cuts, abrasion, stitching damage, UV degradation, chemical contamination, buckle function, and energy-absorber indicator status. Any suspect item is removed from service and tagged. Confirm equipment is within service life and has a current thorough examination record.
- 4DONNING AND BUDDY CHECK: Operative dons the full-body harness in a designated, level, clear area away from open edges, following the manufacturer's donning sequence. All buckles engaged and straps adjusted to correct fit. A second trained person (buddy) performs a formal pre-work check confirming harness fit, strap routing, connector compatibility, and lanyard attachment point. Check is recorded or verbally confirmed to supervisor.
- 5CONNECTING TO ANCHOR: Operative connects lanyard or inertia reel to the assessed anchor point. Confirm the connector gate is locked. Position working location as directly below the anchor as practicable to minimise swing-fall risk. Do not connect to an anchor that would require working more than 1 m laterally offset without a swing-fall assessment.
- 6WORKING AT HEIGHT: Operative works within the permitted zone defined by lanyard length and anchor position. Maintain three points of contact when moving between positions. Manage lanyard to prevent trailing trip hazards. Supervisor maintains line-of-sight or voice/radio contact with operative at all times. Do not leave operative working alone without an agreed check-in protocol.
- 7MOVEMENT BETWEEN ANCHOR POINTS: Where continuous attachment is required, use a double or twin-tail lanyard so one tail remains connected at all times during transfer to a new anchor. Never be unattached when at height. New anchor point is confirmed as suitable before old connection is released.
- 8ARREST EVENT RESPONSE: If a fall arrest occurs — stop all nearby work immediately. Activate rescue plan. Operative uses foot loops to relieve leg-strap pressure if conscious. Rescuer deploys and recovers operative as quickly as possible. Do NOT immediately lay the casualty flat — keep semi-upright initially and monitor for suspension trauma. Call emergency services. Remove all involved equipment from service for inspection.
- 9EQUIPMENT DOFFING AND POST-WORK: Operative descends and doffs harness in a safe area away from edges. All equipment inspected again post-use and returned to designated storage. Any damage, defects or near-misses reported to supervisor and recorded. Equipment involved in an arrest event is quarantined and labelled for competent person inspection before any further use.
- 10RECORDS AND REVIEW: Retain inspection records, thorough examination certificates, training records, and rescue plan for all fall-arrest equipment. After any arrest event or near-miss, conduct an incident investigation and revise the risk assessment and method statement as necessary before resuming work.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Review design and method to determine whether the task can be completed from ground level, removing the need to work at height entirely.
- › Wherever reasonably practicable, use collective protection (scaffolding, MEWP, edge protection) before resorting to personal fall arrest. Document the decision when collective protection is not reasonably practicable.
- › Operative wears a correctly fitted EN 361 full-body harness connected to an appropriate anchor point via an EN 355 energy-absorbing lanyard or EN 360 retractable fall arrester. Anchor rated to minimum 12 kN. Free-fall distance and clearance below confirmed before work commences.
- › A written rescue plan is produced before work starts, detailing how a suspended worker will be recovered promptly. Plan is communicated to all workers and a trained rescuer is on site at all times during work at height.
Suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Rescue plan must target recovery within minutes of arrest. Rescuer and equipment must be on site and ready before work starts. Suspension relief straps (foot loops) supplied to allow the worker to take weight off the harness leg straps.
- › All operatives and supervisors trained to recognise symptoms of suspension trauma and understand why the casualty must NOT be immediately laid flat after rescue (risk of re-perfusion cardiac event). First-aid response adapted accordingly.
- › Foot loops or suspension relief straps attached to the harness allow a suspended worker to stand slightly, relieving leg-strap pressure and buying time for rescue.
Inadequate or failed anchor point
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use only anchor points designed, installed and tested to EN 795 or equivalent structural minimum (12 kN). Temporary anchors must be installed by a competent person and recorded. Structural elements used as anchors must be assessed by a competent person.
- › Operative and supervisor visually inspect anchor point condition (corrosion, mechanical damage, fixings) before each use and after any arrest event.
Incorrect harness fit or misuse
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › All operatives receive documented, practical training in correct harness donning, adjustment, and connector/karabiner use before being permitted to work at height with fall-arrest equipment. Training records kept.
- › A second trained person performs a pre-work check confirming correct harness fit, strap routing, buckle engagement, and lanyard/connector compatibility before the operative ascends.
- › Only EN 361 full-body harnesses used for fall arrest; chest or sit harnesses alone are not acceptable for fall arrest.
Insufficient clearance below anchor — contact with lower level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A competent person calculates total arrest distance (free-fall + energy absorber deployment + harness stretch + safety margin + operative height) and confirms this is less than available clearance. If insufficient clearance exists, a different method must be used.
- › Where clearance calculations cannot be satisfied for fall arrest, re-configure the system as work restraint (prevents the operative reaching the fall edge) rather than fall arrest.
Equipment deterioration or damage
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Operative inspects all fall-arrest equipment before each use: check stitching, webbing, buckles, connectors, energy-absorber window indicator and lanyard sheath for damage, cuts, contamination or indicator deployment. Remove from service if any defect found.
- › All fall-arrest equipment subject to thorough inspection by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 6 months (or per manufacturer schedule), with records maintained. Equipment withdrawn from service after any arrest event pending inspection.
- › Each item of fall-arrest equipment assigned a unique identifier with a logbook recording manufacture date, inspection history, and any arrest events. Equipment retired per manufacturer life-span guidance (typically 10 years max).
Swing fall (pendulum effect)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Anchor point selected or installed as directly above the operative's working position as possible to minimise lateral offset and swing-fall potential.
- › A competent person assesses swing-fall hazard for each work position, identifies obstructions within the swing arc, and adjusts anchor position, working area, or method to eliminate or reduce collision risk.
Inadequate rescue capability
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › A site-specific rescue plan is documented prior to work commencing. It identifies: who carries out rescue, what equipment is used (e.g. raising/lowering system, MEWP, ladder), rescue routes, and how emergency services will be summoned. Plan reviewed for each new work location.
- › At least one person trained in fall-arrest rescue and first aid is present on site at all times when operatives are using fall-arrest equipment. Rescue training to cover suspension trauma management.
- › Rescue equipment (e.g. descender/ascender, spare lanyard, foot loop straps, first aid kit) is pre-positioned and accessible at the work area before work starts, not fetched after an arrest occurs.
Slips, trips and falls at same level during harness donning and movement
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish a defined, level, clear area away from open edges for donning and adjusting harnesses. Operatives do not adjust or remove harnesses near unprotected edges.
- › Short lanyards or retractable inertia reels preferred over long trailing lanyards to reduce trip risk. When moving with lanyard attached, operative is aware of lanyard routing.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
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
- › Full-body harness with front and rear attachment points
- › Energy-absorbing lanyard and/or retractable fall-arrester
- › Certified anchor / eyebolt or temporary horizontal lifeline system
- › Rescue kit (descender/recovery device) and casualty trauma straps
- › Connectors and karabiners (EN 362) with locking gates
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ A rescue plan that does not rely on calling 999 — suspension trauma timelines make this the first thing reviewers look for
- ✓ That the anchor strength, fall-factor and required clearance are stated, not assumed
- ✓ That the harness and lanyard carry an in-date LOLER thorough examination and pre-use check
- ✓ 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
Why isn't a harness on its own enough to work safely at height?
Because a harness only mitigates a fall after it has happened; it does not prevent one, and it introduces its own hazards. The Work at Height Regulations put personal fall arrest near the bottom of the hierarchy, below avoiding the work, collective fall prevention such as guardrails, and collective mitigation such as nets. Using a harness also commits you to providing a verified anchor, adequate clearance and, crucially, a rescue plan — without all three the system is incomplete. It should only be chosen where collective protection is genuinely not reasonably practicable.
What is suspension trauma and why does it drive the rescue plan?
Suspension trauma — orthostatic intolerance — happens when a person hangs motionless in a harness after a fall: the leg straps restrict blood return, blood pools in the legs, and the casualty can lose consciousness and deteriorate within minutes, sometimes faster than the fire service can reach them. That is why the law and reviewers demand a rescue plan that recovers a suspended worker quickly using on-site equipment and trained people, rather than waiting for the emergency services. Trauma-relief straps buy a little time but are not a substitute for prompt rescue. The plan is the single most scrutinised part of a fall-arrest RAMS.
What regulations apply to fall arrest / harness?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Work at Height Regulations 2005, reg 7 — collective protection priority, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones. 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.