Exterior cleaning carries a range of significant hazards that must be identified, assessed, and controlled in every RAMS document you produce. Here are the seven most common risks — and exactly how to document them correctly.
Working at Height
Work at Height Regulations 2005Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK. The HSE reports that falls from height account for around a quarter of all fatal injuries to workers each year. For exterior cleaning contractors, this risk is present in virtually every job — from ladder work for gutter cleaning to roof access for softwashing.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Avoid working at height where possible — use ground-level equipment (e.g. water-fed poles) where practicable
- Select the most appropriate access equipment for the task and height involved
- Inspect all access equipment before use and maintain inspection records
- Establish exclusion zones below the work area
- Use collective fall protection (scaffolding, edge protection) in preference to personal protection (harnesses)
- Ensure all operatives have received working at height training
Chemical Exposure
COSHH Regulations 2002Exterior cleaning chemicals — including sodium hypochlorite, biocides, degreasers, and acid-based cleaners — can cause serious harm through skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Some chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid used in certain brick cleaners, can cause systemic toxicity even through skin absorption.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Produce a COSHH assessment for every hazardous substance used
- Obtain and review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals
- Select the least hazardous product that will achieve the required result
- Provide appropriate PPE — gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection as required
- Ensure operatives are trained in safe chemical handling and emergency procedures
- Store chemicals securely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions
High-Pressure Equipment
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)High-pressure water jets can cause serious injection injuries — where water penetrates the skin and causes internal damage. These injuries are often underestimated at the time of occurrence but can result in serious infection, tissue damage, and in severe cases, amputation. Pressure washers also create significant noise exposure and slip hazards from wet surfaces.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Ensure all pressure washing equipment is maintained and inspected in accordance with PUWER
- Never direct a pressure washer at a person
- Use appropriate nozzles and pressure settings for the surface being cleaned
- Wear waterproof PPE and safety footwear with anti-slip soles
- Establish exclusion zones to prevent bystanders entering the work area
- Carry out noise assessments where prolonged use of pressure washing equipment is involved
Slips, Trips, and Falls on the Same Level
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999Wet surfaces, chemical spills, trailing hoses, and uneven ground create significant slip and trip hazards on exterior cleaning sites. While these incidents may seem less serious than falls from height, they can still result in significant injuries — particularly on hard surfaces.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Wear anti-slip safety footwear at all times on site
- Keep work areas tidy and free from trailing hoses and cables
- Use wet floor signage and barriers to warn others of slippery surfaces
- Clean up chemical spills immediately
- Carry out a site survey before work begins to identify uneven ground, drains, and other trip hazards
Electrical Hazards
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Exterior cleaning contractors face electrical risks from overhead power lines, outdoor electrical sockets, external lighting, and electrical equipment used on site. The risk is heightened when working at height near overhead lines or when using electrical equipment in wet conditions.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Identify all electrical hazards during the pre-job site survey
- Maintain safe clearance distances from overhead power lines (see HSE guidance GS6)
- Use RCD-protected electrical equipment for all outdoor use
- Never use electrical equipment in standing water
- Ensure all electrical equipment is PAT tested and in good condition
- Contact the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if work must be carried out near overhead lines
Manual Handling
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992Exterior cleaning involves significant manual handling — carrying heavy equipment, chemical containers, and access equipment. Manual handling injuries, including musculoskeletal disorders, are among the most common causes of workplace absence in the UK.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Avoid manual handling where possible — use mechanical aids (trolleys, pump trucks) for heavy loads
- Carry out a manual handling risk assessment for tasks involving significant loads
- Train operatives in safe manual handling techniques
- Use smaller containers for chemicals where practicable to reduce individual load weights
- Rotate tasks to reduce repetitive strain
Environmental Contamination
Environmental Protection Act 1990; Water Resources Act 1991Chemical runoff from exterior cleaning operations can cause serious environmental damage if it enters drains, watercourses, or soakaways. Biocides in particular are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Environmental incidents can result in prosecution by the Environment Agency, significant fines, and reputational damage.
Control Measures for Your RAMS:
- Identify all drains and watercourses in the work area before work begins
- Use temporary drain covers or bunding to prevent chemical runoff entering drains
- Collect and dispose of waste water in accordance with the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016
- Use the minimum effective concentration of chemicals
- Avoid applying biocides in wet weather or when rain is forecast
- Notify the Environment Agency if a significant chemical spill occurs
Documenting These Risks in RAMS Creator
RAMS Creator includes pre-built hazard libraries covering all seven of these risk categories, with suggested control measures tailored to exterior cleaning operations. The app guides you through each hazard, prompts you to score likelihood and severity, and automatically compiles your completed risk assessment into a professional PDF.
For contractors working across multiple cleaning sectors, the ability to quickly produce a thorough, site-specific risk assessment for every job is essential — both for legal compliance and for winning commercial contracts.
