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.
Rock Fall from the Quarry Face
Control: Maintain the exclusion zone specified in the site's geotechnical assessment, with regular face inspections by a competent person before work proceeds beneath it.
Mobile Plant & Vehicle Interaction
Control: Follow the site's traffic management plan at all times, with segregated pedestrian routes and reversing alarms fitted to all mobile plant.
Dust Exposure from Crushing & Processing
Control: Use water suppression or dust extraction at crushing and screening points, and wear an FFP3 mask in high-dust areas in line with the COSHH assessment.
Blasting Operations & Fly-Rock Risk
Control: Follow the site's shot-firing procedure and exclusion zone requirements during blasting, with all personnel accounted for before firing.
Noise Exposure from Crushing & Processing Plant
Control: Wear hearing protection in designated high-noise zones around crushing and screening plant, in line with the site's noise assessment.
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 exclusion zone for rock fall risk at the quarry face?
Yes. It includes a control requiring the exclusion zone from the site's geotechnical assessment to be maintained, with regular competent-person face inspections before work proceeds beneath it.
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.