Built for Steelwork Contractors
RAMSGen understands the high-risk nature of structural steel, from complex lifting operations to on-site welding.
Lifting & Rigging Compliance
Pre-loaded templates covering LOLER 1998 requirements for mobile cranes, HIABs, and telehandlers, ensuring your lifting plans meet Appointed Person standards.
Hot Works Management
Dedicated sections for MMA/MIG/TIG welding and oxy-fuel cutting, addressing fire risks and the latest HSE enforcement on welding fumes (local exhaust ventilation).
Working at Height Proficiency
Specific modules for MEWP usage (IPAF), safety netting, and fall arrest systems, critical for steel erection and bolt tightening at height.
Everything You Need for Steelwork RAMS
Move away from generic templates. Our software is tailored for the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS) environment.
Lift Plan References
Reference your lift plans within the RAMS, detailing slinging methods, load weights, radius, and banksperson duties for a complete safety pack.
Competency Matrix
Demonstrate workforce competence by attaching CSCS (Steel Erector), CPCS (Slinger/Signaller), and Coded Welder qualifications.
Fume & Dust Control
Specific COSHH content for galvanising sprays, cutting fluids, and mitigation of hazardous welding fumes (hexavalent chromium).
MEWP & Access Control
Detailed operating procedures for Scissor Lifts and Cherry Pickers, including harness inspection and rescue plans.
Temporary Stability
Address the critical risks of holding down bolts, temporary bracing, and wind loading during the erection phase.
Exclusion Zones
Clearly define drop zones and exclusion perimeters to protect other trades during overhead steel installation.
Plant & Machinery
PUWER assessment templates for angle grinders, mag drills, impact wrenches, and generator usage.
Delivery & Logistics
Manage the risks of articulated lorry movements, oversized loads, and roadside unloading in congested site environments.
How It Works
Select Steel Operations
Choose from our library of steel-specific tasks, including beam installation, bracing, on-site modifications, and unloading steelwork.
Input Site Specifics
Define crane locations, ground bearing pressures, overhead service restrictions, and temporary stability measures.
Generate & Sign
Download a branded, CDM-compliant document ready for the Principal Contractor. Send to erection gangs for digital signature.
Steel Fabrication RAMS: Welding Fumes, LOLER Lifting Plans, and Method Statement Requirements
Steel fabrication and erection work generates a distinctive set of hazards that require specific technical knowledge in the RAMS author: the welding fume carcinogen reclassification, the LOLER requirements for lifting plans on every crane lift, and the NSSS requirements for temporary stability during erection. Generic construction RAMS templates cannot adequately address these — and steelwork principal contractors know it.
IARC Gr.1
welding fumes classified carcinogen — LEV mandatory for indoor welding
0.005 mg/m³
WEL for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from stainless/chrome steel welding
LOLER 1998
Lifting Plan required for each distinct lift — referenced in RAMS
NSSS Cl. 3.2
7th Edition requires temporary stability sequence in method statement
Welding fumes were reclassified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2017, and the HSE updated its enforcement approach in 2019, making Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) mandatory for all indoor welding and a strong expectation for outdoor welding where conditions allow. Your COSHH assessment within the RAMS must reference this reclassification, specify whether LEV or on-tool extraction will be used, document the RPE required as a secondary control (minimum FFP3 or P3), and confirm that the welder has been health-surveilled for respiratory conditions. A RAMS that specifies a standard 'dust mask' for welding is now non-compliant and will be rejected by informed HSE inspectors and Tier 1 H&S managers.
For hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), generated when welding stainless steel or chrome-containing alloys, the COSHH assessment must reference the significantly lower WEL of 0.005 mg/m³ Cr(VI) compared to general welding fumes, and specify LEV as the primary control with PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator) or supplied air as RPE where LEV cannot maintain exposures below the WEL.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that every lifting operation is properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. For steel erection, this means that each distinct lift — column erection, beam installation, bracing placement — requires a specific Lifting Plan that identifies the lift category (routine, non-routine, or complex), the crane specification, the slinging arrangement, the load weights and centres of gravity, and the role of the Appointed Person and CPCS-certified slinger/signaller. Your RAMS must reference the relevant Lifting Plan for each lift — and the Lifting Plan must reference the RAMS. Together they form the LOLER-compliant safety pack.
The National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS) 7th Edition specifies quality and safety requirements for structural steelwork contractors. Clause 3.2 requires that the Method Statement (which is your RAMS method statement section) covers the sequence of erection, temporary stability arrangements, holding down bolt procedures, and inspection requirements. A RAMS that does not address the temporary stability state during erection — the period between the first column being erected and the structure becoming self-stable — fails the NSSS requirement and will be rejected by structural engineers acting as Principal Designer.
Key Regulations & Standards for Steel Fabrication & Erection RAMS
| Reference | Regulation / Standard | Relevance to RAMS |
|---|---|---|
| LOLER 1998 | Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 | Lifting Plan required for each lift; RAMS must cross-reference the plan and identify AP and CPCS roles |
| COSHH 2002 | Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 | Welding fume carcinogen reclassification: LEV mandatory, RPE minimum FFP3, health surveillance for welders |
| NSSS 7th Ed. | National Structural Steelwork Specification 7th Edition | Clause 3.2 requires erection sequence, temporary stability, and holding down bolt procedure in method statement |
| PUWER 1998 | Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 | Pre-use inspection records for angle grinders, mag drills, and welding sets must be referenced in RAMS |
| WAHR 2005 | Work at Height Regulations 2005 | Fall arrest / safety net installation and rescue plan for steel erection at height required in RAMS |
| CDM 2015 | Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 | RAMS must satisfy Principal Designer's structural safety review, particularly for temporary state during erection |
The Welding Fume COSHH Update Most Steelwork RAMS Have Missed
Since the HSE's 2019 update following the IARC carcinogen reclassification, welding fumes COSHH assessments that specify only a dust mask are non-compliant. The correct controls are: LEV as the primary engineering control for indoor welding, supplemented by FFP3 RPE as the secondary control, plus health surveillance for all welders. For stainless steel welding, Cr(VI) controls require PAPR or supplied air. If your current RAMS still specifies a 'dust mask' for welding, you are exposing your operatives to a known carcinogen above the required control standard. RAMSGen's steel fabrication RAMS template reflects the post-2019 enforcement position, with specific COSHH sections for mild steel, stainless steel, and galvanised steel welding fumes.
RAMS Templates for Steel Fabrication & Erection
Browse trade-specific templates commonly used in steel fabrication & erection projects.
Structural Steelwork & Steel Erection
Create a site-ready RAMS for structural steelwork and steel erection in minutes. Includes hazards, controls, method steps, PPE, training and permits aligned to UK law and industry best practice.
View templateHot Works, Welding & Cutting
Create a professional Hot Works, Welding & Cutting RAMS in minutes. Includes hazards, controls, permits and a clear method statement aligned with UK best practice.
View templateLifting Operations (Cranes & Hoists)
Create a professional UK-compliant RAMS for lifting operations in minutes—covering crane/hoist lifts, slinging, signalling, permits and on-site controls aligned to LOLER and BS 7121.
View templateWorking at Height
Create a compliant Working at Height RAMS in minutes. Practical steps, HSE-aligned controls, and site-ready checklists designed for roofers, fit-out, M&E, and façade teams.
View templateFlexible plans for every team size
From individual contractors to large teams, RAMSGen provides scalable compliance for every project.
Starter
For contractors producing a handful of RAMS each month who need compliant documents fast.
- 5 RAMS per month
- Unlimited edits
- Company branding
- PDF export
- COSHH assessments
- One-page summaries
Professional
Unlimited RAMS with everything you need to win more work and stay compliant.
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Unlimited RAMS
- Reusable templates
- Digital signatures
- Worker QR sign-ons
Managing a supply chain? See our Principal Contractor plan →
Steel Erection RAMS Questions
Yes. Our templates are designed to meet the rigorous standards of Tier 1 contractors, referencing relevant British Standards (BS EN 1090) and NSSS guidelines.
Yes. Our library is updated with the latest HSE enforcement requirements, specifying LEV (local exhaust ventilation) or RPE for all welding including mild steel.
Yes. You can reference your specific lift plans, crane duty charts, and slinging arrangements within the RAMS to create a complete LOLER-compliant safety pack.
Yes. We cover both heavy structural steel and architectural metalwork, including specific hazards for glass balustrade installation and internal finishing.
Yes. Working at height requires a rescue plan by law. Our templates include sections for detailing how an operative suspended in a harness will be recovered.
Yes. You can list specific card numbers and categories for slinger/signallers (A40), crane supervisors (A62), IPAF operators, and coded welders within your RAMS.