SafetyPaperwork
Painting · United Kingdom

Method statement for airless spraying

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from HSE guidance and CDM 2015 · How we write and check theseUpdated

You must assess the risks of airless spraying and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

RAMS cover the hazards, who could be harmed and how, the controls and the safe sequence of work, and the crew is briefed and signs. The main hazards are flammable liquids and gases, fire and emergencies, hazardous chemicals and eye injuries.

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RAMS example: airless spraying

This is a complete RAMS for airless spraying, with 6 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS)
Airless spray painting · Painting · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Mask off and ventilate the area, and remove ignition sources
  • Flammable liquids and gases
  • Fire and emergencies
Workers, Occupants, Public, VisitorsHigh (10)
  • Use non-flammable or water-based products where you can. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep ignition sources away: no smoking, no hot work and no running engines near flammables. Isolate
  • Store fuels and solvents in approved, closed containers in a ventilated area away from the work. Control (engineering)
  • Refuel equipment outdoors with the engine off and cool. Control (procedures)
  • Keep only what you need for the day on site. Control (procedures)
  • Store gas cylinders upright, secured and outdoors. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a suitable fire extinguisher where flammables are used or stored. Control (procedures)
  • Wear chemical gloves and safety glasses when pouring or mixing. PPE
  • Provide fire extinguishers suited to the site, checked and easy to reach. Control (engineering)
  • Keep exits and escape routes clear and signed. Control (engineering)
  • Have a site emergency plan: alarm, exits, assembly point and emergency contacts. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a stocked first aid kit and at least one trained first aider on site. Control (procedures)
  • Know the site address and how emergency services get in. Call 999. Control (procedures)
  • Go through the emergency plan with every worker and visitor at induction. Control (procedures)
  • Keep flammable materials and rubbish away from exits and escape routes. Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
2Check hoses and tip guard, and lock the trigger when not spraying
  • Stored energy
  • Hazardous chemicals
Workers, OccupantsMedium (9)
  • Release or block all stored energy before work: release the pressure in pipes, tanks and hoses, bleed hydraulics, release springs, lower loads. Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag all energy sources with personal locks. Isolate
  • Stored energy: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Reduce / substitute
  • Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Control (engineering)
  • Hazardous chemicals: see step 4 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
3Never point the gun at anyone or put a hand near the tip
  • Stored energy
  • Cuts from sharp edges
WorkersMedium (8)
  • Put mechanical blocks or props under raised parts like buckets, tipper bodies and doors. Control (engineering)
  • Test that the system is dead and nothing can move before you start. Control (procedures)
  • Stored energy: see step 5 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Deburr or cover sharp edges, and fit edge protectors on exposed sheet metal. Control (engineering)
  • Use knives with retractable or self-retracting blades. Control (engineering)
  • Cut away from your body and keep your other hand clear. Control (procedures)
  • Put used blades in a blade bin or sharps container. Control (procedures)
  • Use two people to handle large sheets of metal or glass. Control (procedures)
  • Wear cut-resistant gloves and long sleeves. PPE
Low (4)
4Spray with a respirator and goggles, keeping others out
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Eye injuries
Workers, Occupants, People nearbyMedium (9)
  • Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Reduce / substitute
  • Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Control (engineering)
  • Do a COSHH assessment and read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use. Control (procedures)
  • Keep chemicals in labelled containers. Never decant into drink bottles. Control (procedures)
  • Store chemicals away from heat, food and drink, and keep products that react with each other apart. Control (procedures)
  • Have eye wash and a spill kit nearby, and wash hands before eating. Control (procedures)
  • Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles as listed on the SDS. PPE
  • Use a respirator with the right cartridge if the SDS calls for one. PPE
  • Use tool guards and screens to stop flying particles. Control (engineering)
  • Use dust extraction and water to keep dust out of the air. Control (engineering)
  • Keep others out of the area when cutting, grinding or chipping. Control (procedures)
  • Keep an eye wash station or eye wash bottles on site. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses at all times, goggles for dust and chemicals, and a face shield for grinding. PPE
Medium (6)
5Release pressure before cleaning or changing tips
  • Stored energy
WorkersMedium (8)
  • Release or block all stored energy before work: release the pressure in pipes, tanks and hoses, bleed hydraulics, release springs, lower loads. Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag all energy sources with personal locks. Isolate
  • Put mechanical blocks or props under raised parts like buckets, tipper bodies and doors. Control (engineering)
  • Test that the system is dead and nothing can move before you start. Control (procedures)
  • Follow the maker's procedure, for example for garage door and roller door springs. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses and gloves. PPE
Low (4)
6Clean the pump and dispose of solvent waste properly
  • Flammable liquids and gases
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Workers, Occupants, Public, VisitorsHigh (10)
  • Flammable liquids and gases: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate
  • Put skips and waste chutes close to the work. Control (engineering)
  • Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Control (procedures)
  • Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Control (procedures)
  • Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Control (procedures)
  • Use a registered waste carrier and keep waste transfer notes for at least 2 years. Keep hazardous waste such as asbestos separate, with consignment notes (special waste in Scotland). Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE
Medium (5)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Mask off and ventilate the area, and remove ignition sources
  2. Check hoses and tip guard, and lock the trigger when not spraying
  3. Never point the gun at anyone or put a hand near the tip
  4. Spray with a respirator and goggles, keeping others out
  5. Release pressure before cleaning or changing tips
  6. Clean the pump and dispose of solvent waste properly

PPE

Half-mask respirator (P3 filters)Safety gogglesCoverallsChemical-resistant glovesSafety bootsSafety glassesRigger glovesCut-resistant glovesFace shield

Plant and equipment

Airless paint sprayerAir compressorMobile access tower: PASMA certificateScissor lift (MEWP): IPAF PAL card (3a)

Permits and plans

Permit to work (electrical isolation)

Emergency

Call 999. Add the nearest A&E, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this RAMS.

Free RAMS template for airless spraying

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this RAMS

Pre-start checklist for airless spraying

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

The safe sequence of work

  1. Mask off and ventilate the area, and remove ignition sources
  2. Check hoses and tip guard, and lock the trigger when not spraying
  3. Never point the gun at anyone or put a hand near the tip
  4. Spray with a respirator and goggles, keeping others out
  5. Release pressure before cleaning or changing tips
  6. Clean the pump and dispose of solvent waste properly

Hazards to watch on airless spraying

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 1, 6Flammable liquids and gasesPetrol, solvents, thinners and LPG catch fire or explode when vapour reaches a spark, flame or hot surface.
Step 1Fire and emergenciesA fire, injury or other emergency happens and workers cannot get out, raise the alarm or get first aid in time.
Step 2, 3, 5Stored energyEnergy left in springs, hydraulics, compressed gas, raised loads or capacitors releases suddenly and crushes or injures workers.
Step 4Eye injuriesFlying chips, dust, chemicals or sparks get into the eye and cause damage or blindness.
Step 2, 4Hazardous chemicalsGlues, sealants, solvents, acids, cleaners and cement burn skin and eyes or cause breathing problems and poisoning.
Step 3Cuts from sharp edgesSheet metal, glass, blades, cable tray and offcuts cut hands and arms.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on airless spraying: High before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United Kingdom 5 by 5 risk matrix (unlikely and fatal becomes unlikely and lost time injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

  • Will anyone work at height, anywhere a fall could hurt them?
  • Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
  • Will anyone work on a roof?
  • Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
  • Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?

Licences and legal requirements in United Kingdom

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

  • Mobile access tower: PASMA certificate
  • Scissor lift (MEWP): IPAF PAL card (3a)

Employers must assess the risks of their work and record the significant findings (required where you employ 5 or more people). On CDM projects, contractors give their RAMS to the principal contractor before starting, and brief the workers on it.

Rules that apply: Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR); CDM 2015 regs 29 to 31 (fire on construction sites). Occupied premises: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales), Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010; COSHH Regulations 2002.

Why RAMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

  • The method statement is only a list of headings that repeats the risk table and never says how the work is done.
  • The method sequence does not match the risk assessment, for example the method strips the roof before the scaffold is handed over.
  • Residual risk is still High after controls with no extra measures or explanation.
  • It reads as copied: another firm, another address, or wording that does not fit UK sites. HSE warns that copying an example and adding your name does not satisfy the law.
  • Work on an older building with no reference to an asbestos survey.
  • Plant and access equipment listed with no inspection, thorough examination or competence evidence.
  • No briefing record, no revision history, or no named supervisor.

Questions

Do I need RAMS for airless spraying?

You must assess the risks of airless spraying and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

Who signs the RAMS?

The person who wrote it and the person who approved it sign and date it. Every worker signs the briefing register after it is explained to them, and the principal contractor reviews and accepts it before you start.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this RAMS, every revision and the signed briefing register with the site file for the length of the job, and keep a copy in your records afterwards.

What PPE is needed for airless spraying?

Usually Half-mask respirator (P3 filters), Safety goggles, Coveralls, Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety boots, Safety glasses, Rigger gloves, Cut-resistant gloves, Face shield. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More painting RAMS

RAMSInternal Painting and Decorating6 stepsRAMSExternal Painting6 stepsRAMSLead Paint Removal10 stepsRAMSRoof Coating6 stepsRAMSJet Washing6 stepsRAMSResin Floor Coating5 steps

Related jobs in other trades

DemolitionSoft StripAlso involves hazardous chemicalsBricklayingBrickworkAlso involves eye injuriesElectricalConsumer Unit ReplacementAlso involves cuts from sharp edgesRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves cuts from sharp edges

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkCOSHH and Hazardous Substances

Blank RAMS template: free RAMS templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)

Sources