RAMS & CPP for Demolition Work
What compliance documents you need for soft strip, structural demolition, and site clearance — and how The Site Book handles it for you.
Written by Nicola Dobbie, Founder, The Site Book — Last reviewed
TL;DR
- CPP: Required — CDM 2015 applies to every construction project.
- RAMS: Essential — structural demolition is always notifiable to HSE (F10) and among the highest-risk activities.
- Key hazards: Structural collapse, asbestos in older structures, and underground live services.
What compliance do you need?
Demolition is one of the most dangerous activities in construction. Whether you're doing a soft strip inside a building or bringing down an entire structure, the risks are serious. CDM 2015 places strict duties on anyone involved in demolition work, and structural demolition is always notifiable to the HSE.
Do you need a CPP?
Yes — and for demolition, the CPP is particularly important. It must cover the sequence of demolition, how structural stability will be maintained throughout, asbestos management, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures. The CPP should be prepared before any demolition work begins.
Do you need RAMS?
Absolutely. RAMS are essential for all demolition work. They need to cover every phase of the demolition sequence, from soft strip through to structural demolition and site clearance. A separate demolition method statement is also typically required, prepared by someone with specific demolition experience.
Common hazards
- Structural collapse — premature or uncontrolled failure
- Asbestos in older structures (insulation, cladding, floor tiles)
- Falls from height during soft strip and structural work
- Flying debris and falling materials
- Dust — silica, lead paint, general demolition dust
- Underground services and live utilities
- Noise and vibration affecting workers and neighbours
- Confined spaces in basements and voids
How The Site Book handles it
Describe your project — "soft strip of two-storey commercial unit" — and The Site Book creates your RAMS and CPP automatically. It identifies demolition-specific hazards including structural collapse risks, asbestos management, and dust control measures.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need RAMS for demolition work?
- Yes. Demolition is one of the highest-risk construction activities, and RAMS are essential. They should cover the sequence of demolition, structural stability during the works, asbestos management, dust suppression, and exclusion zones. Most clients and principal contractors will not allow demolition to proceed without approved RAMS.
- Is demolition work notifiable to the HSE?
- Demolition work is always notifiable to the HSE under CDM 2015, regardless of project duration or number of workers. An F10 notification must be submitted before work begins. This applies to structural demolition — soft strip and minor removal work may not require notification, but the rules can be nuanced.
- What qualifications do demolition workers need?
- Demolition operatives should hold a CSCS card with the appropriate demolition endorsement. Supervisors should hold CCDO (Certificate of Competence of Demolition Operatives) or equivalent. An experienced person must prepare a demolition method statement, and a competent engineer may be needed for structural assessments.
What's included at each tier
| Feature | Starter£0 | Pro Monthly£39/mo | Pro Annual£30/mo | Business£99/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First project free | — | — | — | |
| RAMS generator | ||||
| PDF download | ||||
| Worker sign-off | ||||
| Unlimited projects | ||||
| CPP generator | ||||
| COSHH library | ||||
| Team members | — | — | ||
| Priority support | ||||
| Site inductions | — | |||
| Toolbox talks | — | |||
| Multi-site rollout | — | |||
| Save £108/yr vs monthly | — | — | — |
Honest pros and cons
Pros
- Structural-stability and sequencing controls pre-filled per RAMS
- Asbestos survey flag baked into the pre-start checklist
- Falling-object protection zones included in method statements
- CDM 2015 Regulation 6 notifiable-work check built into the wizard
Cons
- Asbestos refurbishment surveys aren't commissioned through us
- No RICS structural engineer sign-off template
- Party-wall and neighbour-notice templates not yet generated
Why The Site Book
- Only UK construction compliance tool that ships RAMS + CPP + COSHH + inductions + worker sign-off in one flat-rate subscription.
- AI-generated documents are site-specific from a natural-language brief, not a template library you hand-fill -cuts writing a RAMS from 2 hours to under 5 minutes.
- Worker sign-off, PCPP import, cert tracking, and document checking are included at the entry tier, not locked behind an enterprise plan.
- Transparent flat-rate pricing starting at £30/mo -no per-seat surprise as the team grows.
Get your demolition docs sorted
Describe your job, get professional RAMS and CPP in minutes. No credit card required.