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Plumbing · United Kingdom

Method statement for drain jetting

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

You must assess the risks of drain jetting 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 falling through a floor opening or void, public entering the work area, lifting and carrying heavy loads and loud noise.

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RAMS example: drain jetting

This is a complete RAMS for drain jetting, 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)
Drain unblocking and jetting · Plumbing · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Set up cones around open pits and keep the public and pets away
  • Public entering the work area
  • Falling through a floor opening or void
Public, Children, Workers, VisitorsVery high (15)
  • 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)
  • Cover every hole and penetration with a fixed, secured cover marked "HOLE" or "DANGER". Isolate
  • Put guardrails with toe boards around stairwells, lift shafts, voids and open edges. Isolate
  • Install stairs early and fit temporary handrails as soon as they go in. Control (engineering)
  • Never remove a cover or guardrail without approval. Put it back straight away. Control (procedures)
  • Inspect covers and barriers daily and after other trades have been through. Control (procedures)
  • Keep lighting good enough to see openings, especially on lower floors and in the evening. Control (procedures)
  • Use a harness clipped to a rated anchor when working right next to an open void. PPE
Medium (5)
2Open the inspection point, never enter pits or manholes without a confined space permit
  • Confined space entry
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Workers, RescuersHigh (12)
  • Do the work from outside the space where you can, using cameras or long-reach tools. Eliminate
  • Isolate and lock out all pipes, power and moving parts going into the space. Isolate
  • Test the air for oxygen, flammable and toxic gases before entry, and keep testing during the work. Control (engineering)
  • Use forced ventilation to keep the air clean. Control (engineering)
  • Issue a confined space entry permit before anyone goes in. Only trained workers enter. Control (procedures)
  • Keep a trained standby person outside at all times, in contact with those inside. Control (procedures)
  • Set up a rescue plan and rescue gear before entry. Never go in to rescue without the right gear. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a harness for retrieval and the respirator the air test calls for. PPE
  • Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate
  • Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Reduce / substitute
  • Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Control (engineering)
  • Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Control (procedures)
  • Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Control (procedures)
  • Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE
Medium (6)
3Check the jetter hose and fittings, then jet with the nozzle well inside the pipe before starting
  • High pressure water jetting
  • Stored energy
  • Loud noise
Workers, People nearbyHigh (12)
  • Set an exclusion zone around the jetting area. Isolate
  • Use a dead man's trigger that stops the jet when released, and check hoses and fittings before use. Control (engineering)
  • Only trained operators use high pressure jetting gear. Control (procedures)
  • Never point the lance at anyone or put a hand in front of it. Control (procedures)
  • Treat any jetting injury as serious and go to hospital, even if it looks small. Control (procedures)
  • 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)
  • Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate
  • Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Control (engineering)
  • Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Control (procedures)
  • If you have to shout to be heard by someone 2 metres away, the noise is probably 85 dB(A) or more: wear hearing protection. Control (procedures)
  • Assess noise. At 85 dB(A) or more, hearing protection is required and the zone must be marked. Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
4Clear the blockage, keeping face and hands away from splashback
  • Sewage and wastewater
  • Eye injuries
  • Slips and trips
Workers, People nearby, Visitors, PublicMedium (9)
  • Flush and drain the line before opening it, and plan the job to avoid contact. Eliminate
  • Use drain cameras, jetters and long-handled tools to keep hands out. Control (engineering)
  • Sewage and wastewater: see step 6 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • 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
  • Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Eliminate
  • Run leads and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Control (engineering)
  • Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Control (engineering)
  • Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Control (procedures)
  • Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Control (procedures)
Low (4)
5Run a CCTV camera to confirm the line is clear
  • Sewage and wastewater
WorkersMedium (9)
  • Cover cuts with waterproof dressings. Never eat, drink or smoke before washing. Control (procedures)
  • Wash hands well and clean tools and boots after the job. Control (procedures)
  • Sewage and wastewater: see step 6 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Low (3)
6Close pits, wash down, and wash hands before eating
  • Sewage and wastewater
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Workers, VisitorsMedium (9)
  • Flush and drain the line before opening it, and plan the job to avoid contact. Eliminate
  • Use drain cameras, jetters and long-handled tools to keep hands out. Control (engineering)
  • Cover cuts with waterproof dressings. Never eat, drink or smoke before washing. Control (procedures)
  • Wash hands well and clean tools and boots after the job. Control (procedures)
  • Keep vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis A up to date, on medical advice. Control (procedures)
  • Wear waterproof gloves, goggles or a face shield, and coveralls. 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)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Set up cones around open pits and keep the public and pets away
  2. Open the inspection point, never enter pits or manholes without a confined space permit
  3. Check the jetter hose and fittings, then jet with the nozzle well inside the pipe before starting
  4. Clear the blockage, keeping face and hands away from splashback
  5. Run a CCTV camera to confirm the line is clear
  6. Close pits, wash down, and wash hands before eating

PPE

Safety bootsChemical-resistant glovesSafety gogglesFace shieldCoverallsHi-vis vestRigger glovesEar defendersSafety glasses

Plant and equipment

Drain jetting unitHand tools

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 drain jetting

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 drain jetting

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

The safe sequence of work

  1. Set up cones around open pits and keep the public and pets away
  2. Open the inspection point, never enter pits or manholes without a confined space permit
  3. Check the jetter hose and fittings, then jet with the nozzle well inside the pipe before starting
  4. Clear the blockage, keeping face and hands away from splashback
  5. Run a CCTV camera to confirm the line is clear
  6. Close pits, wash down, and wash hands before eating

Hazards to watch on drain jetting

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

Step 2Confined space entryBad air, toxic gas or engulfment in a tank, pit, sewer or manhole overcomes workers and the people who try to rescue them.
Step 3High pressure water jettingHigh pressure water cuts through skin and injects water and dirt into the body, or the hose whips.
Step 4, 5, 6Sewage and wastewaterContact with sewage spreads germs that cause stomach illness, hepatitis and skin infections.
Step 3Stored energyEnergy left in springs, hydraulics, compressed gas, raised loads or capacitors releases suddenly and crushes or injures workers.
Step 1Falling through a floor opening or voidA worker steps into an open hole, stairwell, lift shaft or penetration and falls to the level below.
Step 4Eye injuriesFlying chips, dust, chemicals or sparks get into the eye and cause damage or blindness.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on drain jetting: 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 drain jetting?

You must assess the risks of drain jetting 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 drain jetting?

Usually Safety boots, Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety goggles, Face shield, Coveralls, Hi-vis vest, Rigger gloves, Ear defenders, Safety glasses. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More plumbing RAMS

RAMSHot Water Cylinder Replacement10 stepsRAMSBathroom First Fix Plumbing6 stepsRAMSGas Installation6 stepsRAMSBurst Pipe Repair6 stepsRAMSToilet and Tap Installation5 stepsRAMSBackflow Prevention Testing5 stepsRAMSDrain Excavation and Repair6 steps

Related jobs in other trades

BricklayingBrickworkAlso involves eye injuriesScaffoldingScaffold ErectionAlso involves public entering the work areaRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves public entering the work areaDemolitionSoft StripAlso involves loud noise

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkHearing Protection and NoiseToolbox talkSlips, Trips and FallsToolbox talkConfined SpacesToolbox talkCrane and Lifting Safety

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

Sources