When this template fits
This RAMS is for everyone on site who lifts, carries, pushes or pulls materials by hand — which is effectively the whole workforce — and for the supervisors who have to show the principal contractor that manual handling has been assessed. Unlike the plant RAMS it involves no machinery; the risk is musculoskeletal injury built up over many lifts, so the focus is on avoiding and reducing handling rather than guarding a machine. It applies the MHOR hierarchy and a TILE assessment to the handling tasks on your job.
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
Manual lifting, carrying and handling of materials and equipment.
Sequence of works
- 1Before work commences, carry out a TILE risk assessment (Task, Individual, Load, Environment) for all planned manual handling operations and record findings. Identify loads exceeding guideline weights (HSE L23) and flag for mechanical handling.
- 2Eliminate or reduce manual handling wherever practicable: order materials in smaller units, arrange deliveries to the point of use, and specify mechanical plant (pallet trucks, telehandlers, hoists) for moving bulk or heavy items.
- 3Inspect and prepare the carrying route: clear debris and trip hazards, lay board walkways over soft ground, ensure adequate lighting, and mark exclusion zones around handling areas.
- 4Inspect the load before lifting: check weight markings, look for sharp edges or protruding fixings, apply edge protection where needed, and confirm the load can be safely gripped. Split bulk loads into manageable sub-loads.
- 5Confirm operatives are fit for the task: verify relevant manual handling training, check for reported musculoskeletal conditions, ensure correct PPE (safety boots, gloves) is worn, and brief the team on the safe method including set-down points and emergency stops.
- 6Lift and carry using correct technique: position feet shoulder-width apart and close to the load; bend knees; keep back straight; grip load firmly; keep load close to the body; lift smoothly avoiding jerking; do not twist — turn with the feet.
- 7For team lifts, nominate a coordinator who gives clear verbal commands for lift, move and set down. All handlers must be in position and ready before any command is given. Maintain clear communication throughout.
- 8Set the load down safely: position at the intended location, lower slowly by bending knees, release grip only once the load is stable. Secure or brace loads as required to prevent movement.
- 9Monitor operatives throughout the shift for signs of fatigue or discomfort. Rotate workers, enforce rest breaks, and encourage use of the reporting system for any pain or strain symptoms. Reassign duties if symptoms are reported.
- 10At the end of the task conduct a debrief and review: record any near misses, injuries or issues, update the risk assessment if conditions changed, and feed lessons learned back into future task planning.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Musculoskeletal injury from lifting
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Redesign the task or process to remove the need for manual lifting entirely, e.g. pre-cut materials delivered to point of use, off-site prefabrication.
- › Use pallet trucks, sack trucks, trolleys, hoists, telehandlers or other mechanical aids to move loads without manual effort.
- › Complete a suitable and sufficient manual handling risk assessment using the TILE (Task, Individual, Load, Environment) framework before work commences.
- › Ensure all operatives receive training in safe lifting techniques: bent knees, straight back, load close to body, smooth movements, no twisting.
Strain from carrying awkward or oversized loads
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use two or more operatives to carry long or heavy items, with a nominated coordinator to give instructions and set down points agreed in advance.
- › Break down bulk deliveries or large items into smaller, manageable sub-loads before carrying.
- › Use proprietary sheet-carrying handles, pipe cradles or shoulder pads to improve grip and distribute load weight evenly.
Dropped load causing foot or crush injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Deliver materials by mechanical means as close as possible to the point of use to reduce manual carrying time and fatigue.
- › Establish clear exclusion zones around lifting and carrying operations to prevent bystanders entering areas where dropped loads could cause injury.
- › Wear steel or composite toe-capped safety boots to protect feet from dropped loads.
Slip, trip or fall whilst carrying loads
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan and keep clear a dedicated route for manual handling operations, free of debris, trailing cables, uneven surfaces and steps where possible.
- › Ensure the load does not obstruct forward vision; where this is unavoidable use a second person as a guide.
- › Wear boots with slip-resistant soles rated to SRC standard to reduce slip risk on wet or contaminated surfaces.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) from repetitive handling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Rotate operatives between manual handling tasks and lower-demand tasks to limit cumulative exposure to repetitive strain.
- › Schedule adequate rest breaks and do not allow operatives to work through breaks during high-intensity manual handling operations.
- › Where the same handling operation is repeated many times, introduce conveyor systems, powered rollers or other mechanical assists.
Manual handling in restricted or confined spaces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Assess the specific environment before manual handling; identify restricted areas and plan to minimise time spent in awkward postures.
- › Further reduce individual load weight when working in areas where correct posture cannot be maintained.
- › Use compact trolleys, hand-operated chain blocks or vacuum lifters suitable for use in restricted spaces.
Manual handling in adverse environmental conditions
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Check ground conditions, weather and temperature before starting manual handling operations; defer or modify tasks in icy, flooded or extreme conditions.
- › Lay temporary walkways, Masonite boards or scaffold boards over soft or uneven ground on carrying routes.
- › Wear gloves with anti-vibration or grip-enhancing palms appropriate to the material being handled to prevent loss of grip.
Individual capability and fitness to handle
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Screen operatives for musculoskeletal conditions relevant to manual handling; make reasonable adjustments or exclude from high-risk tasks where necessary.
- › Provide documented manual handling training at induction and refresher training as required; training records to be kept on site.
- › Establish a clear, no-blame reporting system for operatives to report early symptoms of musculoskeletal discomfort so that tasks can be reassigned promptly.
Laceration or puncture from sharp or rough materials
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Fit edge protectors, end caps or foam lagging to sharp edges of materials before manual handling commences.
- › Stack materials to prevent nails, fixings or rough edges from protruding into handling zones; bend over or remove protruding nails from timber.
- › Wear gloves with an appropriate cut-resistance rating (EN 388) for the material being handled.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
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
- › Sack trucks and trolleys
- › Pallet trucks for palletised loads
- › Wheelbarrows for loose materials
- › Lifting/carrying straps for awkward loads
- › Mechanical aids (genie lift, material hoist) where provided
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ The RAMS shows the MHOR avoid–assess–reduce hierarchy was applied — handling that could have been mechanised but was not gets queried.
- ✓ A TILE assessment is referenced for the actual loads on the task, not a generic 'lift correctly' statement.
- ✓ Mechanical aids and team-lift arrangements are named for the heavy or awkward loads on the job.
- ✓ 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
Is there a legal maximum weight one person can lift?
No — MHOR does not set a fixed legal limit because the safe weight depends on the task, the individual and the conditions. The HSE provides guideline filter weights (for example around 25kg for a man lifting at knuckle height close to the body, less for women and for lifts away from the body), but these are screening figures, not limits. The duty is to avoid hazardous handling where reasonably practicable, assess what is left using TILE, and reduce the risk. If a load is near or above the guideline weights it should be assessed properly rather than just lifted.
When should we use a team lift instead of one person?
A team lift is appropriate when a load is too heavy or too awkward for one person to handle safely, but it does not simply double the safe weight — coordination problems mean the capability of a two-person team is less than the sum of the individuals. The lift should be planned, with one person directing, the team matched for height and capability, and the route clear before starting. Often a better answer is to break the load down or use a mechanical aid so a team lift is not needed at all. Team lifting is a control to reach for after avoiding and mechanising have been considered.
What regulations apply to manual handling?
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, 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.