RAMS for Carpentry & Joinery: FREE Template + Generator
Professional, HSE-aligned Carpentry & Joinery RAMS with hazards, controls, method steps, PPE and permits—ready to customise and download in minutes.
Trusted by 100+ UK contractors
“The carpentry RAMS took minutes to customise and satisfied the principal contractor straight away. The dust and nail-gun controls were exactly what the auditor wanted.”
5 star ratingLewis P.· Site Carpenter, Blueoak Interiors
What you get
- Turnkey RAMS export covering wood dust, service strikes, nail guns and work-at-height interfaces for joiners and fit-out teams.
- Method sequence that splits cutting-zone controls from installation activities, ready for toolbox briefings.
- PUWER and PAT inspection reminders for mitre saws, nail guns and battery chargers embedded into the checklist section.
- COSHH-ready data for MDF, hardwood dust and adhesives with prompts for RPE face-fit evidence.
Why teams choose RAMSGen
Don't waste time wrangling ad-hoc Word templates. Create a site-specific Carpentry & Joinery RAMS from the start.
Benefits
- ✓Show principal contractors you understand LEV, RPE and drilling permit expectations for fit-out works.
- ✓Save time by cloning a single RAMS into multiple room/plot packs with consistent dust and service-detection controls.
- ✓Reduce rework by flagging PUWER, HAVS and housekeeping checks before the H&S advisor asks for them.
Risks of manual RAMS
- !Thin RAMS often miss MDF carcinogen statements, leading to immediate rejection or enforcement improvement notices.
- !If you cannot prove PUWER/PAT status for saws and nail guns, site audits escalate quickly.
- !Working-at-height omissions for ceiling or soffit work expose carpenters to stop-work orders and delays.
Manual drafting
4 hrs
RAMSGen
8 min
Typical manual prep vs RAMSGen automation
Also searched for
carpenter RAMS, joinery RAMS, carpentry risk assessment, carpentry method statement, woodworking RAMS, MDF dust risk assessment
Generic RAMS template
Snapshot hazards
- Wood dust (especially hardwood/MDF) causing respiratory sensitisation and cancer risk.
- Contact with cutting tools and machinery (saws, planers, nail guns) leading to cuts, punctures or amputation.
- Excessive noise and hand–arm vibration from power tools.
- Work at height when fixing frames, soffits or ceilings (falls of people or materials).
- Manual handling of boards, doors and timber sections causing musculoskeletal injury.
Critical controls
- Control wood dust via LEV/on-tool extraction and M/H-class vacuums; use RPE to P3 standard and implement health surveillance for wood dust exposure.
- PUWER: pre-use checks, guards and interlocks in place; only trained/authorised users operate saws and nail guns; isolate/lock-off for maintenance.
- Manage noise and vibration: select low-vibration tools, limit trigger time, job rotation; provide hearing protection to required SNR and monitor HAVS exposure.
- Work at height planned and avoided where possible; use inspected towers/scaffolds or MEWPs; maintain exclusion zones and prevent material drops.
- Manual handling controls: assess loads, team-lift large sheets, use trolleys/board lifters; keep routes clear and maintain good housekeeping.
Permits & references
- Permit to drill/penetrate structures (after service detection).
- Hot works permit if using heat guns/torch-applied products or soldering nearby trades.
- Roof/access or work-at-height permit system where required by site rules.
- Electrical isolation certificate/permit where cutting or fixing near live services.
- MEWP/lifting plan authorisation where powered access is used.
Implementation walkthrough
- 1
Review drawings/specification; conduct site induction and task briefing; confirm RAMS approvals and any required permits (e.g., drill/penetration).
- 2
Establish work area: barrier and signage, segregated cutting zone, good lighting; set up 110V/RCD power or battery stations; position fire point and first aid.
- 3
Deliver and store materials safely: stack flat and stable, off the floor and away from walkways; assess manual handling and plan lifting routes.
- 4
Erect and inspect access equipment (towers/ladders/MEWP) per plan; tag and record inspections; ensure edge protection and toe-boards where required.
- 5
Check tools: PAT/inspection status, guards and extraction shrouds fitted; blades/bits sharp and appropriate; nail gun safety devices functional.
- 6
Fit extraction and dust control: connect LEV/on-tool extraction; position M/H-class vacuum; confirm face-fit for RPE and select P3 filters.
- 7
Measure and mark out; check for hidden services with a calibrated detector before drilling/fixing; set drilling depth stops and use fixings per spec.
- 8
Carry out cutting, drilling and shaping in segregated area; maintain correct stance and two-handed control; manage noise/vibration exposure times.
- 9
Install and fix components (e.g., frames, doors, skirtings); avoid overreaching; secure temporary supports; handle adhesives/sealants per COSHH.
- 10
Finish, snag and clean: sand with extraction; remove offcuts/sharps; segregate waste (clean vs treated timber); sign off and update inspection records.
How to create a site-specific Carpentry & Joinery RAMS
Transform the generic template above into a compliant, site-specific document by addressing these critical areas:
Site-specific customization checklist
- 1
Exact timber/board types and any treatments/coatings to be used (COSHH).
- 2
Location of cutting zone and extraction discharge path (avoid re-circulation).
- 3
Access method and working platform details, including load class and anchorage points.
- 4
Service drawings and no-drill zones; maximum permitted drilling depth.
- 5
Fixing specification (anchors/screws/adhesives) and edge distances/tolerances.
- 6
Material delivery route, laydown area and lifting aids required.
- 7
Noise limits/time restrictions and neighbour liaison requirements.
- 8
Waste segregation and disposal route (clean, treated, metal fixings).
- 9
Interface with other trades and exclusion zones for overhead works.
- 10
Emergency arrangements: first aiders, spill kits, fire alarm and muster point.
HSE compliance alert
This RAMS is a template and must be tailored to your site, equipment and workforce. Comply with UK law (HSWA, CDM 2015, PUWER, COSHH, Work at Height) and the principal contractor’s rules.
Why RAMSGen makes this easier
Instead of manually editing Word templates and cross-referencing multiple guidance documents, RAMSGen walks you through each customization step with intelligent prompts. Answer questions about your site, and the platform automatically generates a compliant RAMS that incorporates:
- Project-specific hazards based on your site layout and access constraints
- Emergency plans with routes to the nearest A&E and site-specific assembly points
- Permits, inspections, and quality checkpoints aligned to your schedule
- Branded PDF exports ready for principal contractor submission
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a RAMS for small carpentry jobs?
Yes—UK sites usually require RAMS for all planned works under CDM 2015. For very low-risk tasks, a simplified RAMS may be accepted, but confirm with the principal contractor.
What RPE should I use for MDF and hardwood dust?
Use RPE to P3 standard (FFP3 disposable or half mask with P3 filters) alongside LEV/on-tool extraction. Face-fit testing is required for tight-fitting masks.
How do I control nail gun risks in the RAMS?
Specify sequential trigger where possible, pre-use checks, exclusion zones, two-handed operation, eye/face protection, and training/competence. Store gases/fasteners securely.
What inspections are required for saws and planers?
Record PUWER pre-use checks, ensure guards and riving knives are fitted, maintain sharp blades, keep extraction connected, and complete PAT/RCD checks for corded tools.
How should I plan work at height for soffits and door headers?
Avoid overreaching from ladders. Use inspected towers/scaffolds or MEWPs with a defined access plan, edge protection and material handling method.
How do I include service detection before drilling/fixing?
State the use of calibrated cable/pipe detectors, check as-built drawings, set depth stops, mark no-drill zones, and obtain a permit to penetrate where required.
What health surveillance is needed for wood dust exposure?
Where exposure to hardwood/MDF dust is significant or frequent, include health surveillance (respiratory questionnaires/monitoring) as part of your control regime.
How do I manage noise and vibration from power tools?
Select low-vibration tools, plan trigger-time limits, rotate tasks, provide hearing protection to the required SNR, and record HAVS exposure in your checks.
What waste streams should I include for joinery works?
Separate clean timber from treated/contaminated wood; collect metal fixings and blades separately; dispose of adhesives/sealant cartridges under site COSHH/waste rules.
Can I use battery tools instead of 110V on site?
Yes, many sites prefer battery tools to reduce trailing leads. Ensure they’re inspected, compatible with extraction, and charged in designated areas away from combustibles.
Calculate your RAMS preparation costs
See how much time and money you could save by switching from manual RAMS preparation to RAMSGen's automated workflow.
RAMSGen Cost Calculator
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Monthly volume
4 RAMS
Manually
£960
24 hrs of labour
RAMSGen
£60
2.4 hrs with RAMSGen
You save
£900
21.6 hrs saved
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