Applicable Regulations
Method Statement — Sequence of Work
- Review this RAMS and confirm site conditions match those described before work begins.
- Brief all operatives on the hazards, controls and PPE requirements below (toolbox talk).
- Check and don all required PPE, and inspect tools and equipment before use.
- Carry out the task in line with the control measures set out in the Hazard & Risk Assessment section below.
- Maintain good housekeeping throughout — keep the work area tidy and manage waste and materials safely.
- On completion, remove tools and equipment, restore the work area, and report any incidents, near misses or changes in site conditions to the site supervisor.
- Complete the sign-off section at the end of this document before leaving site.
Hazard & Risk Assessment
Each hazard is assessed against a standard Likelihood × Severity matrix. “Initial Risk” reflects the risk before any control measures are applied; “Residual Risk” reflects the risk once the stated controls are correctly implemented on site.
Exposure to Residual Chemical or Biological Contamination
Control: Confirm the area has been decontaminated and signed off by lab staff before maintenance work begins, following the site's permit-to-work system for any work inside a controlled area.
Compromising Cleanroom Contamination Control
Control: Follow the cleanroom's gowning and entry procedure at all times, and agree any work affecting air handling or filtration with facility management before starting.
Working Around Sensitive Equipment & Utilities
Control: Confirm which services and equipment must remain live or protected before starting, isolating only what has been agreed with lab management.
Working with Compressed Gas Supplies
Control: Identify and isolate the relevant compressed gas supply before working on connected pipework, checking for leaks before reconnection.
Manual Handling of Laboratory Equipment & Supplies
Control: Use correct lifting technique and mechanical aids for heavy laboratory equipment, cylinders and supply containers.
Required PPE
Emergency Procedures
Fire
Stop work immediately, raise the alarm and evacuate to the designated assembly point. Do not attempt to fight a fire beyond your training. Call 999 once safely evacuated if the fire brigade has not already been alerted.
First Aid / Injury
Stop work and alert the nearest first aider or site supervisor. For a serious injury, call 999 immediately and do not move a casualty unless there is immediate danger.
Spillage / Environmental Incident
Stop work, contain the spill using the site's spill kit if safe to do so, and report it to the site supervisor immediately. Do not allow any spillage to enter a drain or watercourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this RAMS cover the risk of compromising cleanroom contamination control?
Yes. It includes a control requiring the cleanroom's gowning and entry procedure to be followed at all times, and any work affecting air handling to be agreed with facility management first.
Do I need to keep a copy of this RAMS on site?
Yes. HSE guidance expects a copy of the RAMS — along with the completed sign-off section — to be available on site for the duration of the work, and reviewed if site conditions change.