Write a risk assessment for House refurbishment

For house refurbishment and renovation works, the risk assessment should be task-specific, site-specific, and reviewed as the job changes. Under UK good practice and CDM principles, start by identifying hazards, who may be harmed, existing controls, and additional controls required, then communicate the findings to all contractors and workers. A suitable assessment should consider the sequence of work, occupied versus unoccupied premises, structural condition, access/egress, utilities, hazardous materials, and emergency arrangements. The source documents support using a structured hazard assessment and job-hazard analysis approach, including review of SDS and equipment manuals, and selecting PPE only after engineering and administrative controls have been considered. [5] [5] [4]

• Typical refurbishment hazards include falls from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, stairwells, and fragile surfaces; collapse during demolition or alteration; contact with live electrical systems; asbestos disturbance; silica, wood dust, solvent vapours, and paint fumes; manual handling injuries; fire during hot works; slips, trips, and poor housekeeping; noise and vibration; plant and tool injuries; and risks to occupants, neighbours, and visitors.
• Site-specific controls should include pre-start surveys, isolation of gas/electric/water services, segregation of work areas, controlled access, debris management, temporary edge protection, suitable lighting, welfare, traffic and delivery planning, and arrangements for occupied homes such as dust containment, child/pet exclusion, and maintaining safe escape routes.
• Where higher-risk activities are involved, use permit systems or formal controls for hot work, confined spaces, electrical isolation, and asbestos-related work.

[7] [7] [7] The method statement should explain how the work will be done safely. For refurbishment this normally includes: scope and sequence of works; responsible persons and supervision; plant, tools, and materials; access arrangements; isolation procedures; temporary works; control measures from the risk assessment; PPE; emergency arrangements; waste handling; and hold points for high-risk tasks such as demolition, asbestos, hot work, roof work, lifting operations, and electrical work. It should also state competency requirements, inspection regimes, and how the work area will be left safe at the end of each shift. [1] [8]

Under the UK CDM Regulations 2015, dutyholders must plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate the work. In practice for domestic refurbishment, the client must make suitable arrangements; designers must eliminate or reduce foreseeable risks; and contractors must plan, manage, and monitor their own work, provide supervision, ensure workers are competent, and cooperate with others. Where more than one contractor is involved, a principal contractor should coordinate construction-phase controls, site rules, inductions, welfare, and interface risks. Contractors remain responsible for safe systems of work, inspections, training, housekeeping, and ensuring subcontractors follow the agreed controls.

PPE should be selected from the hazard assessment and matched to the task.

• Minimum typical PPE for refurbishment: safety helmet where overhead or demolition hazards exist, safety footwear with slip-resistant soles and midsole/toe protection as needed, gloves suited to the task, and eye protection for cutting, drilling, grinding, and demolition.
• Additional PPE may include hearing protection for noisy tools, respiratory protective equipment for dusts/fumes/vapours, fall arrest equipment for work at height, high-visibility clothing where vehicles or plant are present, and electrical-rated PPE where justified by the task.
• PPE must be provided, fitted, maintained, inspected, replaced when damaged, and workers must be trained in its use and limitations.

[12] [13] [10] [4] For work at height, apply the hierarchy of control: avoid the work at height where possible, use safer access equipment such as properly erected scaffolds or MEWPs where appropriate, and only use ladders for light, short-duration tasks where justified. Ladders and scaffolds must be inspected, set on firm level ground, secured against movement, kept clear of doors and traffic routes, and used by trained workers. Edge protection, guardrails, fully planked platforms, safe access ladders, and fall protection may be required depending on the task and residual risk. [1] [8] [8] [14]

• Do not use defective ladders; inspect for loose, cracked, greasy rungs, split rails, worn feet, and faulty locks before use.
• Maintain three points of contact and do not carry tools in hand while climbing; use a tool belt or hoist.
• Do not overreach; reposition the ladder instead. Do not work from the top rungs/steps.
• For scaffolds, ensure competent assembly, bracing, ties to the structure, guardrails, full planking, stable footing, and compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions and inspection requirements.

[8] [8] [8] [11] For electrical safety, identify all live services before work starts, including hidden cables in walls, ceilings, and floors. Use competent electricians for isolation, alteration, and testing. Apply lock-off/tag-out, verify dead before work, use 110V or battery tools where practicable, protect temporary supplies, and use RCD/GFCI protection for portable equipment. Keep ladders, scaffolds, and long materials clear of overhead lines and external service drops. Damaged leads, improvised connections, and overloaded circuits should be prohibited. [7] [7] [8] [14]

For asbestos, presume asbestos-containing materials may be present in older houses unless a suitable survey proves otherwise. Before intrusive refurbishment, arrange a refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey by a competent surveyor. If suspect materials are found, stop work, prevent disturbance, isolate the area, and obtain specialist advice. Only licensed or otherwise competent asbestos contractors should undertake asbestos work as required by UK law. Workers likely to encounter asbestos must be informed of the risk and the emergency procedure for accidental disturbance. [3] [6] [9]

For manual handling, avoid unnecessary lifting by planning deliveries, storage, and waste removal; use mechanical aids such as trolleys, hoists, board carriers, and lifts; reduce load size; and assess awkward items such as plasterboard, doors, radiators, windows, and rubble bags. Team lifts should be coordinated, routes kept clear, and workers trained in safe lifting principles. Manual handling risk increases significantly on stairs, uneven ground, and in confined domestic spaces, so sequencing and access planning are important.

For COSHH, identify all hazardous substances used or generated during refurbishment, including cement, silica dust, wood dust, paints, adhesives, sealants, solvents, cleaning chemicals, lead-containing materials, and welding fumes. Obtain and review SDS, assess exposure routes, and apply the hierarchy of control: substitution, reduced quantities, local exhaust ventilation, wet cutting or dust suppression, containment, good hygiene, and suitable RPE where residual exposure remains. Storage, decanting, labelling, spill response, and waste disposal should be covered in the assessment and method statement. [5] [2] [9]

For fire safety, control ignition sources and combustible materials, especially during hot works, temporary heating, and charging of batteries/tools. Use a hot-work permit where relevant, maintain extinguishers, keep escape routes clear, store flammables safely, remove waste regularly, and brief workers on raising the alarm and evacuation. In occupied homes, ensure residents understand the work area restrictions and that smoke alarms, exits, and emergency access are not compromised. [7] [7] [3]

Emergency procedures should be proportionate to the project but clearly documented and rehearsed where necessary. They should cover fire, injury, falls from height, electrical shock, asbestos disturbance, gas leaks, structural instability, and discovery of unknown services or hazardous substances. The arrangements should identify first aid provision, emergency contacts, site address details, access for emergency services, rescue from height where applicable, and stop-work/escalation procedures. [1] [7] [7]

In terms of UK legal compliance, the key framework for refurbishment is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Depending on the work, other important regulations commonly include the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 as amended, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and RIDDOR 2013. For notifiable projects and multi-contractor jobs, ensure the required appointments, construction phase plan, welfare, coordination, and health and safety file arrangements are in place.

• Carry out and record a refurbishment-specific risk assessment before work starts, then review it as conditions change.
• Prepare a method statement/construction phase plan covering sequence, controls, supervision, emergency arrangements, and interfaces with occupants.
• Verify competence of contractors, especially for electrical work, scaffolding, asbestos, demolition, and hot works.
• Survey for asbestos before intrusive work in older properties.
• Plan work at height to avoid ladders where safer alternatives are reasonably practicable.
• Isolate and test utilities before disturbing walls, ceilings, floors, or service routes.
• Control dust, fumes, and chemicals using COSHH assessment, SDS review, ventilation, suppression, and suitable RPE.
• Provide, train, inspect, and enforce PPE based on the hazard assessment.
• Maintain housekeeping, fire precautions, first aid, and clear emergency procedures throughout the project.

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