MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK

ASSESSMENT

CLIENT:

PROJECT:

TITLE: Excavations

SUMMARY 1. This assessment covers work involved in the use of

OF RISK excavations.
TO BE 2.
ASSESSED: The assessment covers the requirements for
safeguarding employees working in such areas.

HAZARDS: 1. Persons falling into excavations.

2. Collapse of the walls of the excavation.

3. Persons being struck by falling materials.

4. Contaminated conditions.

5. Underground services being struck / damaged.

6. Flooding.

7. Collapse of buildings / structures.

8. Persons being struck by moving excavator parts /

associated plant and equipment.

9. Build up of harmful gases in the excavation.

PERSONS 1. Employees, staff, visitors and members of the public

AT RISK: passing adjacent to the excavations.

NATURE OF 1. Cuts, bruises, broken bones and death through

RISK: suffocation, falling, crushing, trapping, drowning,
asphyxia.

PREVENTATIVE 1. The Site Agent / Foreman should ensure that the

MEASURE FOR excavation is adequately shored or the sides are
RISK CONTROL: battered to a suitable angle to prevent collapse.
 MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT
Excavations Continued...

PREVENTATIV 2. The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that there is

E MEASURES edge protection around the edge of the excavation if it is
FOR RISK over 1 metre deep.
CONTROL:
Continued.. 3. The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that all
material used in providing support for the excavation is
of sound condition and free from defects

4. The Site Agent / Supervisor should inspect the

excavation on a daily basis for defects and fallen
material.
5.
Appropriate ladders, correctly restrained, should be used
to enter and exit the excavation.
6.
Means of emptying water from the excavation should be
provided where necessary.
7.
The Site Agent / Supervisor should establish and locate
all underground services prior to use of any mechanical
excavation equipment.
8.
The Site Agent / Supervisor would where possible have
underground services isolated.
9.
Where mechanical means are used to dig excavation the
Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that a competent
banksman is provided.
10.
Where it is suspected that contaminated land or water is
involved in the excavation the Site Agent / Supervisor
should establish what the basis of the contamination is
and what risks / preventative measures are required.
11.
Where vehicles are used in close proximity to the
excavation, vehicle stops should be erected at a safe
distance from the edge of the excavation.
12.
The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that no person
is allowed to enter an excavation unless the sides are
adequately supported or battered.
13.
The Site Agent /Supervisor should establish an
emergency procedure and communicate this to the
employees for use in the event of major incidents which
14. can occur.

All lifting equipment used in raising and lowering

supports and equipment in excavations work should be
15. inspected by a competent person.

The excavation should be adequately fenced off to

16. prevent persons approaching the edge of the excavation.

When using remote controlled equipment in an

excavation, e.g. compactors, shoring should not be
extracted unless the equipment can be removed from
the excavation without personnel entering.
 MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT

Excavations Continued...

MAINTENANCE: 1. The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that all plant
and equipment is maintained in good condition and free
from defects.
2.
The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that the
excavation is inspected by a competent person on a
daily basis and that statutory inspections are carried out.

TRAINING: 1. The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that a

competent person is trained to inspect the excavations
to comply with the statutory inspections.

2. The operatives should be trained in the procedures for

erecting and dismantling supports for excavations and
the emergency procedures.
3.
Site Agent / Supervisor should be trained in their
individual responsibilities.

RECORDS: 1. Records of all training should be maintained by the Site

Agent / Supervisor.

2. Records of inspections should be maintained in the

statutory forms.

3. Records of lifting tackle should be maintained where

applicable.