When this template fits
Floor layers fitting vinyl, carpet, resin, LVT and resilient flooring should issue the principal contractor this flooring risk assessment before starting. The trade is defined by all-day kneeling, flammable contact adhesives in unventilated rooms, and handling heavy rolls — none of which a generic finishing RAMS covers properly. It is written for the floor layer preparing subfloors and bonding finishes, and the operative handling and cutting materials.
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
Prepare and lay floor finishes including adhesives.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task survey: Review the asbestos register and, for pre-2000 buildings, confirm a refurbishment survey has been completed. Check the COSHH assessments and SDS for all adhesives, primers, and compounds to be used.
- 2Site set-up: Demarcate the work area, restrict access to non-essential personnel, ensure adequate ventilation is established (open doors/windows, install forced ventilation fans), and confirm fire extinguishers and eye wash are in position.
- 3Subfloor preparation: Using H-class vacuum-equipped grinders or sanders with appropriate PPE (FFP3 RPE, goggles, hearing protection), prepare the substrate to the required SR level. Remove all debris, dust, and contaminants.
- 4Levelling compound application: Mix levelling compound per manufacturer's specification using a slow-speed mixer. Apply and allow to cure fully. Check for residual moisture in substrate using a hygrometer before proceeding.
- 5Priming: Apply primer as specified. Ensure ventilation is maintained, wear appropriate RPE, gloves, and eye protection. Allow primer to dry to the correct tack level as stated in the manufacturer's instructions.
- 6Adhesive application: Using a notched trowel, spread adhesive over manageable sections only. Maintain ventilation. Keep ignition sources excluded from the area. Mark wet adhesive zones with tape/signage.
- 7Floor finish laying: Lay floor covering into adhesive within the open time specified by the manufacturer. Work methodically, using a roller where required to achieve full bond. Avoid trapped air pockets.
- 8Cutting and trimming: Cut flooring materials using appropriate tools (safety knife, guillotine, or circular saw with dust extraction). Wear cut-resistant gloves and eye protection. Keep off-cuts cleared from walking areas.
- 9Finishing and sealing: Apply edge trims, threshold strips, and any sealing/welding compounds as required. Follow COSHH precautions for any chemical sealants used.
- 10Clean-up and handover: Remove all off-cuts, waste adhesive containers, and packaging to designated waste skips. Check the finished floor for trip hazards. Ventilate area until adhesive fumes have fully dissipated before allowing other trades access.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Adhesive fumes inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify water-based or low-VOC adhesives wherever technically suitable to reduce vapour emissions at source.
- › Ensure adequate forced ventilation (LEV, fans, open windows/doors) to dilute and remove solvent vapours below workplace exposure limits. Monitor with air monitoring where required.
- › Complete a written COSHH assessment for each adhesive product before use, including SDS review, exposure assessment, and worker briefing.
- › Where adequate ventilation cannot be achieved, wear RPE suitable for organic vapours (minimum half-face respirator with A/P2 filter, fit-tested).
Skin contact with adhesives and primers
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select adhesives and primers with lower dermal hazard profiles (non-sensitising, low isocyanate content) where technically feasible.
- › Implement a skin protection programme including pre-work barrier cream, regular hand washing with mild soap, and post-work moisturiser. Prohibit use of solvents to clean skin.
- › Wear nitrile or neoprene gloves appropriate to the specific chemicals used, knee pads, and long sleeves to prevent skin contact.
Dust inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use wet methods for grinding or cutting concrete substrates to suppress dust at source where equipment and process allow.
- › Use H-class vacuum-equipped grinders and sanders with on-tool extraction to capture respirable dust at point of generation.
- › Isolate dusty work areas and schedule preparation tasks when other trades are absent. Display signage to prevent inadvertent entry.
- › Wear a minimum FFP3 disposable respirator or half-face mask with P3 filter, fit-tested, when residual dust exposure remains above WEL.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use sack trucks, pallet trucks, or mini-hoists to move bulk bags and materials to the work area rather than manual carrying.
- › Carry out a specific manual handling assessment for heavy and repetitive tasks. Establish team lifting protocols, plan delivery positions to minimise carry distances.
- › Ensure all operatives have received manual handling training relevant to flooring tasks including kneeling posture, roll carrying, and mixing operations.
- › Provide and mandate knee pads to protect against prolonged kneeling on hard substrates.
Slips and trips on adhesive-contaminated surfaces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Remove off-cuts, packaging, and debris from the work area regularly throughout the task. Cap adhesive containers when not in use.
- › Mark off areas of applied adhesive with tape or barriers and display wet floor signage to prevent inadvertent pedestrian access.
- › Wear safety footwear with anti-slip soles rated for contaminated hard floor surfaces.
Fire and explosion from flammable adhesives
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify water-based or non-flammable adhesive formulations wherever technically acceptable to eliminate the flammability hazard.
- › Prohibit smoking, naked flames, angle grinding, and non-spark-proof electrical equipment in areas where flammable adhesives are being used or have recently been applied.
- › Store only the minimum quantity of flammable adhesive in the work area. Keep containers sealed. Store remainder in a designated flammables store away from ignition sources.
- › Provide a CO2 or dry powder fire extinguisher in the immediate work area and ensure operatives know how to use it.
Noise from subfloor preparation equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where available, specify lower-noise power tools and equipment to reduce noise at source.
- › Limit continuous use of noisy equipment and establish a 2-metre exclusion zone around operating machinery for non-essential personnel.
- › Provide and wear hearing protection (minimum SNR 25 dB ear defenders or plugs) when noise levels exceed 85 dB(A) action level.
Asbestos disturbance during subfloor preparation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Before any subfloor preparation begins, obtain and review the building's asbestos register and, for pre-2000 buildings, ensure a suitable refurbishment/demolition survey has been completed by a UKAS-accredited surveyor.
- › If materials suspected of containing asbestos are encountered that are not recorded in the register, operatives must stop work immediately, withdraw from the area, and report to the site manager. Do not resume work until a licensed contractor has assessed the situation.
- › Removal of ACM floor tiles and associated adhesive must only be carried out by a suitably licensed or trained contractor in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Eye injury from adhesive splashing
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use appropriate notched trowels and applicators to minimise splashing. Avoid overfilling containers.
- › Wear chemical splash goggles or safety spectacles with side shields when applying adhesives, mixing levelling compounds, or using chemical primers.
- › Ensure a portable eye wash station (minimum 500 ml sterile saline) is readily accessible in the work area.
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 per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
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
- › Floor grinder/scarifier with dust extraction
- › Forced-action mixer for latex/levelling compound
- › Notched trowels and adhesive spreaders
- › Knives, straight edges and a cutting board
- › Floor/seam roller and roll trolley/lifter
- › HEPA/M-class vacuum
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ That flammable adhesives are controlled by ventilation and ignition-source removal under DSEAR, not just 'good ventilation'
- ✓ That subfloor grinding uses on-tool extraction/water suppression with FFP3 for RCS, not dry grinding
- ✓ That knee/MSD protection is specified for all-day kneeling, and roll handling is two-person/assisted
- ✓ 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
Are contact adhesives a fire risk indoors?
Yes. Many flooring contact adhesives are solvent-based and give off heavy, flammable vapour that can collect at floor level in an unventilated room and ignite from a spark or pilot light. They fall under DSEAR, so the room must be well ventilated before, during and after bonding, all ignition sources removed, and only working quantities kept at the workface with the rest in fire-rated storage. Where the floor specification allows, a low-VOC water-based adhesive removes most of the risk. The RAMS should state which adhesive is used and the ventilation arrangements.
Do floor layers need to worry about silica dust?
Yes, whenever they grind, scarify or scabble concrete or screed subfloors. That dust contains respirable crystalline silica, which causes silicosis, so grinders must run with on-tool dust extraction or water suppression — never dry-grinding into the open air. The area should be sectioned off, cleaned with a HEPA vacuum rather than swept, and FFP3 RPE worn. A flooring RAMS that covers adhesives but ignores subfloor-prep silica is incomplete.
What regulations apply to floor laying?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones, alongside Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. 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.