When this template fits
Cutting, grinding, drilling or chasing concrete, stone, brick or screed releases respirable crystalline silica, and principal contractors now expect a dedicated silica RAMS rather than a generic dust line. This document is for any trade generating dust from silica-containing materials who needs to show on-tool extraction, water suppression and the right RPE protection factor. It assumes regular or foreseeable exposure, which brings health surveillance into scope.
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 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Control respirable crystalline silica from cutting/drilling masonry and concrete.
Sequence of works
- 1Plan and assess: Complete a COSHH assessment for RCS before work begins, identifying silica-containing materials, task duration, number of workers at risk and nearest bystanders. Confirm whether cutting can be eliminated by using pre-cut components.
- 2Select tools and controls: Choose the lowest-vibration, lowest-noise cutting method appropriate to the task. Confirm wet suppression or H/M-class on-tool LEV is available, serviceable and compatible with the tool being used.
- 3Set up the work area: Erect exclusion zone barriers and dust screens around the cutting area. Post RCS hazard signage. Ensure 110 V CTE supply or RCD-protected mains is set up and all electrical connections are kept clear of water run-off.
- 4Brief operatives: Conduct a pre-task toolbox talk covering RCS health risks, control measures in use, RPE fit-check procedure, emergency arrangements and prohibition of dry sweeping or using compressed air to remove dust.
- 5Don PPE and check RPE fit: All operatives in the work area to don FFP3 (fit-checked before each use), safety goggles, cut-resistant gloves and hearing protection. Supervisor confirms PPE compliance before cutting starts.
- 6Carry out cutting with active controls: Operate wet suppression or on-tool LEV throughout cutting, drilling or grinding. Do not start tool before water/extraction is running. Monitor for control failure (water drying, vacuum blockage) and stop immediately if controls are ineffective.
- 7Manage waste and clean up: Vacuum all dust residue using H-class vacuum. Collect wet slurry, contain and dispose as controlled waste. Do not dry sweep. Remove PPE in a sequence that avoids self-contamination (remove outer garments last, wash hands and face before removing RPE).
- 8Post-task inspection and records: Inspect tools, guards, extraction units and water feeds for damage or wear. Record task in RCS exposure log. Report any equipment defects and any worker symptoms (cough, breathlessness, skin irritation) to the supervisor.
- 9Review and monitor: Compare actual working conditions against COSHH assessment. If work is regular, arrange periodic air monitoring to confirm exposure remains below the WEL of 0.1 mg/m³ and maintain health surveillance records.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Redesign work to avoid cutting silica-containing materials on site entirely, e.g. specify pre-cut offsite components or factory-finished units.
- › Use a water-fed dust suppression attachment on angle grinders, disc cutters and core drills to wet the cutting point and suppress RCS at source. Maintain adequate water flow throughout cutting.
- › Fit H-class or M-class vacuum extraction shroud directly to cutting/drilling tool to capture dust at the point of generation before it becomes airborne. Use only vacuum units rated H or M class for RCS.
- › Where engineering controls alone cannot reduce exposure below the WEL (0.1 mg/m³ 8-hr TWA for RCS), provide and ensure correct fit-tested FFP3 or P3 respirator is worn during all cutting and immediately after.
COSHH exposure in excess of workplace exposure limit
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Conduct a site-specific COSHH assessment identifying the source material, task duration, number of workers exposed and existing controls before work begins. Review when conditions change.
- › Carry out personal air monitoring to verify controls keep exposure below 0.1 mg/m³ WEL. Enrol workers in a health surveillance programme (lung function testing) where RCS exposure is regular.
- › Brief all operatives and supervisors on RCS health risks, correct use of wet suppression/LEV, RPE fit-testing requirements and the importance of not blowing dust off clothing with compressed air.
Dust spread to adjacent workers and public
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Erect hoarding, dust screens or polythene enclosures around the cutting area to contain RCS before it disperses. Establish a clearly marked exclusion zone with signage preventing unauthorised entry.
- › Schedule cutting tasks when adjacent areas are unoccupied where possible. Use a permit or notified working window to clear bystanders before work begins.
- › On enclosed sites ensure general ventilation directs contaminated air away from occupied zones. Do not use fans that blow RCS dust towards other workers.
Noise from cutting and drilling equipment
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Specify diamond blade tools or wet-cut saws which typically generate less noise than percussive breaking. Use hydraulic breakers instead of electric where feasible for large-scale work.
- › Limit individual operator exposure time through job rotation to keep daily noise dose below 85 dB(A) LEP,d. Restrict access to the noise zone to essential personnel.
- › Provide SNR-rated hearing protection sufficient to bring exposure below 85 dB(A) at the ear. Ensure compatibility with RPE face seal — use ear defenders rather than in-ear plugs where FFP3 mask is worn.
Hand-arm vibration from cutting tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use tools with verified low vibration emission values (from manufacturer data or independent test). Prefer diamond-core drills over SDS hammer drills where hole size permits.
- › Calculate daily vibration exposure using HAVs ready reckoner. Limit trigger time per operator to keep below EAV (2.5 m/s²) where possible and not to exceed ELV (5 m/s²). Rotate tasks to share exposure.
- › Enrol regular users of vibrating tools in an annual health surveillance programme. Keep exposure records and report early HAVS symptoms immediately.
Contact with cutting disc or blade
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Ensure all guards are in place and correctly adjusted before use. Inspect cutting discs for cracks, chips and compliance with machine speed (RPM) rating before fitting. Never use damaged or non-rated discs.
- › Confirm operators are trained and competent in safe use of angle grinders and disc cutters including kickback risks. Only permit trained persons to operate these tools.
- › Wear EN388-rated cut-resistant gloves and a full-face shield (in addition to safety spectacles) when operating disc-cutting equipment.
Eye and skin irritation from dust and slurry
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Manage wet cutting slurry to prevent contact with skin. Collect waste slurry and dispose as controlled waste; do not allow to pool where workers walk or kneel.
- › Provide pre-work barrier cream and post-work moisturiser. Conduct periodic skin checks for dermatitis. Use chromate-reduced cement where specified.
- › Wear ANSI/EN166-rated safety spectacles or goggles to protect eyes from dust and slurry splash. Wear chemical-resistant nitrile gloves to prevent skin contact with cement slurry.
Slips and trips on dust and slurry contaminated surfaces
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Vacuum (H-class) dust and collect slurry continuously during and immediately after cutting. Never dry sweep — use vacuum extraction to avoid re-suspending RCS.
- › Wear S1P or S3-rated safety footwear with slip-resistant soles rated for wet and dusty conditions.
Electrical hazard from water and power tools
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Operate all electric cutting tools on 110 V CTE supply via transformer on site. Where possible use battery-powered tools to remove mains electrical risk in wet conditions.
- › Fit a 30 mA RCD to all electrical supplies used for cutting tools. Inspect cables, plugs and tool casings for damage before each use. Remove damaged equipment from service.
- › Direct water feeds to the blade/bit contact point only. Keep extension leads, transformers and power outlets elevated and away from water flow and slurry run-off.
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
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ 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
- › Water-suppression cutting equipment or M/H-class on-tool extraction
- › H-class industrial vacuum for clean-down
- › Face-fit tested powered or tight-fitting respirators
- › Dust screens and area barriers
- › Hazardous-waste bags for collected dust
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ A per-task dust assessment, not one generic 'dust' line — reviewers look for the on-tool extraction class (M or H) and the RPE assigned protection factor
- ✓ That face-fit certificates exist for the named operatives and the work is treated as no-beard
- ✓ That regular or foreseeable exposure has triggered enrolment in health surveillance under COSHH Regulation 11
- ✓ 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
What is the workplace exposure limit for silica dust?
The workplace exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average, published in EH40/2005. This is a low limit and it is easily exceeded by uncontrolled dry cutting, which is why on-tool extraction or water suppression is essential rather than optional. Where there is any doubt that controls keep exposure below the limit, air monitoring should be carried out to demonstrate compliance. Because silica causes irreversible disease, the assessment should aim to keep exposure as far below the limit as is reasonably practicable, not just at it.
Do silica workers need health surveillance?
Yes, where exposure is regular or otherwise foreseeable, COSHH Regulation 11 requires health surveillance. For silica this typically means a respiratory questionnaire and, depending on risk, periodic lung-function testing administered through an occupational health provider. The purpose is to catch early signs of harm and to confirm that the control measures in your RAMS are actually working. Records have to be kept for an extended period because silica-related disease can develop years after exposure.
What regulations apply to silica dust?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. 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.