SafetyPaperwork
Painting · United Kingdom

Method statement for lead paint removal

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

You must assess the risks of lead paint removal 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 fire from hot works, lead paint dust and fumes, public entering the work area and flammable liquids and gases.

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RAMS example: lead paint removal

This is a complete RAMS for lead paint removal, with 10 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)
Lead paint removal · Painting · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Test the paint, tell the occupants, and keep children and pregnant people away
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Working in an occupied home or building
Workers, Residents, Children, StaffHigh (12)
  • Test old paint for lead before you sand, scrape, cut or heat it. Eliminate
  • Use wet scraping, chemical strippers or shrouded tools with extraction instead of dry sanding. Never burn off lead paint with an open flame. Reduce / substitute
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Plan noisy, dusty or risky work for when the building is empty. Eliminate
  • Close off the work area with barriers, plastic sheeting or locked doors, and put up signs. Isolate
  • Keep fire exits and paths clear at all times. Control (procedures)
  • Tell occupants before you turn off power, water or gas, and before noisy or dusty work. Control (procedures)
  • Lock away tools, chemicals and materials each day, out of reach of children. Control (procedures)
  • Clean up dust and debris at the end of each day. Control (procedures)
Low (4)
2Turn off heating and cooling and close windows and vents in the work area
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • General dust
Workers, Residents, Children, OccupantsHigh (12)
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and keep residents, children and pets out. Isolate
  • Clean up with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Control (engineering)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Use low-dust products, such as dust-reduced or pre-mixed compounds. Reduce / substitute
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting in occupied buildings. Isolate
  • Use tools with dust extraction and a vacuum for clean up. Control (engineering)
  • Lightly mist the area with water to keep dust down, away from anything electrical. Control (engineering)
  • Never dry sweep or blow dust off with compressed air. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a dust mask and safety glasses. PPE
Low (4)
3Seal the area with plastic and warning signs
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Public entering the work area
Workers, Residents, Children, PublicHigh (12)
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking. Change out of dusty clothes before going home. Control (procedures)
  • Wear an FFP3 mask, disposable coveralls and gloves. PPE
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Isolate
  • Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for prams and wheelchairs. Isolate
  • Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Control (engineering)
  • Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Control (procedures)
  • Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower plant, remove ladders and lock tools away. Control (procedures)
  • Use a spotter when moving plant or materials across public paths. Control (procedures)
Low (4)
4Put on coveralls and a fitted respirator, and set up a wash point
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Hazardous chemicals
Workers, Residents, Children, OccupantsHigh (12)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 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 6 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
5Mist and wet scrape the paint; no dry sanding or open flame
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Hazardous chemicals
Workers, Residents, Children, OccupantsHigh (12)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • 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)
  • Hazardous chemicals: see step 6 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
6Use chemical strippers with ventilation and chemical gloves
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Flammable liquids and gases
Workers, Occupants, PublicHigh (10)
  • 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 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
Medium (6)
7Use a heat gun only on low settings, below the temperature that makes lead fumes
  • Burns from hot surfaces
  • Fire from hot works
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
Workers, Occupants, Public, Residents, ChildrenVery high (15)
  • Isolate heating systems and let parts cool before you touch them. Eliminate
  • Fit guards or insulation on hot pipes and equipment. Control (engineering)
  • Mark hot items with chalk or a "HOT" sign so others know. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a first aid kit and cool running water nearby for burns. Control (procedures)
  • Wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves. PPE
  • Use cold work methods where you can, such as bolting, press fittings or cutting with a saw instead of a torch. Eliminate
  • Move anything that can burn at least 10 metres away, or cover it with fire blankets. Isolate
  • Use fire-resistant screens to stop sparks reaching people or gaps in walls and floors. Control (engineering)
  • Get a hot work permit before starting. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a charged fire extinguisher and fire blanket at the work spot. Control (procedures)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
8Clean with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes, never dry sweep
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Workers, Residents, Children, VisitorsHigh (12)
  • Test old paint for lead before you sand, scrape, cut or heat it. Eliminate
  • Use wet scraping, chemical strippers or shrouded tools with extraction instead of dry sanding. Never burn off lead paint with an open flame. Reduce / substitute
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and keep residents, children and pets out. Isolate
  • Clean up with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Control (engineering)
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking. Change out of dusty clothes before going home. Control (procedures)
  • Wear an FFP3 mask, disposable coveralls and gloves. PPE
  • 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
Low (4)
9Bag waste, remove coveralls in the work area and wash before eating
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
Workers, Residents, ChildrenHigh (12)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Low (4)
10Check the area is clean before removing plastic and letting occupants back in
  • Lead paint dust and fumes
  • Working in an occupied home or building
Workers, Residents, Children, StaffHigh (12)
  • Lead paint dust and fumes: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Working in an occupied home or building: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Low (4)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Test the paint, tell the occupants, and keep children and pregnant people away
  2. Turn off heating and cooling and close windows and vents in the work area
  3. Seal the area with plastic and warning signs
  4. Put on coveralls and a fitted respirator, and set up a wash point
  5. Mist and wet scrape the paint; no dry sanding or open flame
  6. Use chemical strippers with ventilation and chemical gloves
  7. Use a heat gun only on low settings, below the temperature that makes lead fumes
  8. Clean with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes, never dry sweep
  9. Bag waste, remove coveralls in the work area and wash before eating
  10. Check the area is clean before removing plastic and letting occupants back in

PPE

Safety glassesHalf-mask respirator (P3 filters)CoverallsChemical-resistant glovesSafety bootsRigger glovesFFP3 dust maskHi-vis vestSafety gogglesWelding gauntletsFace shield

Plant and equipment

Heat gunH-class dust extractorPower sanderHand tools

Permits and plans

Hot works permit (fire watch at least 60 minutes after)

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 lead paint removal

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 lead paint removal

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

The safe sequence of work

  1. Test the paint, tell the occupants, and keep children and pregnant people away
  2. Turn off heating and cooling and close windows and vents in the work area
  3. Seal the area with plastic and warning signs
  4. Put on coveralls and a fitted respirator, and set up a wash point
  5. Mist and wet scrape the paint; no dry sanding or open flame
  6. Use chemical strippers with ventilation and chemical gloves
  7. Use a heat gun only on low settings, below the temperature that makes lead fumes
  8. Clean with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes, never dry sweep
  9. Bag waste, remove coveralls in the work area and wash before eating
  10. Check the area is clean before removing plastic and letting occupants back in

Hazards to watch on lead paint removal

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

Step 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10Lead paint dust and fumesLead paint was common before the 1970s and was used in some buildings until 1992. Sanding, scraping or heating it releases dust or fumes that poison workers and families, especially children.
Step 7Burns from hot surfacesTouching hot pipes, tools, bitumen, solder or freshly welded metal burns the skin.
Step 6Flammable liquids and gasesPetrol, solvents, thinners and LPG catch fire or explode when vapour reaches a spark, flame or hot surface.
Step 7Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Step 1, 10Working in an occupied home or buildingResidents, staff or children wander into the work area and get hurt, or the work blocks exits or cuts off power or water while people are inside.
Step 2General dustDust from plasterboard, filler, cement and clean up irritates eyes and lungs and makes it hard to see.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on lead paint removal: Very high before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United Kingdom 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible 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?

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 lead paint removal?

You must assess the risks of lead paint removal 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 lead paint removal?

Usually Safety glasses, Half-mask respirator (P3 filters), Coveralls, Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety boots, Rigger gloves, FFP3 dust mask, Hi-vis vest, Safety goggles, Welding gauntlets, Face shield. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More painting RAMS

RAMSInternal Painting and Decorating6 stepsRAMSExternal Painting6 stepsRAMSAirless Spraying6 stepsRAMSRoof Coating6 stepsRAMSJet Washing6 stepsRAMSResin Floor Coating5 steps

Related jobs in other trades

DemolitionSoft StripAlso involves lead paint dust and fumesElectricalConsumer Unit ReplacementAlso involves working in an occupied home or buildingBricklayingBrickworkAlso involves general dustScaffoldingScaffold ErectionAlso involves public entering the work areaRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves public entering the work area

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkWorking at HeightToolbox talkLead Paint SafetyToolbox talkWorking in Cold WeatherToolbox talkHot Works Safety

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

Sources