Excavations over 1.5m

Excavation work involves managing a range of hazards, including excavation collapse, the risks of working near mobile plant and falling into trenches. If uncontrolled, these hazards can lead to injuries or fatalities to workers as a result of becoming entrapped in excavation, struck by mobile plant or falling into trenches or holes.

High risk construction work relating to excavation is that which is carried out in or near:

The risks arising from excavation are to be identified, assessed and controlled in the Project Risk Register, in accordance with the hierarchy of controls.

A high risk workshop MUST be undertaken to identify all known and potential risks associated with excavations over 1.5m

In the planning stages and prior to commencing work, the Baseline site representative shall ensure the following activities have been considered:

All contractors must identify any High Risk activity within their scope of work, evidence of experience carrying out this activity, provision for full time supervision, relevant licenses and competencies of supervisor and workers to undertake excavation activities over 1.5m

All contractors are required to develop and submit, a specific safe system of work, e.g. SWMS, for this High Risk activity to the Baseline site representative for approval (7days) prior to commencing works

This MUST include an Emergency Procedure / Rescue Plan, evidence that supervisors and workers are trained in the procedure

Note: The Baseline expectation is that our contractors will follow all safety requirements listed within our standards

Proposed methodology to be reviewed by Project Team and assess for need to conduct activity specific High Risk Workshop.

(If required) High Risk Workshop to be conducted with contractor undertaking activity and Baseline Project Team.

Methodology, competencies and timing MUST be confirmed and agreed with all stakeholders

Identify if excavation will be considered a Confined Space

Note: If shoring systems are to be utilised, they must be designed by a Geotechnical or Structural Engineer in a shoring plan, and MUST be installed by a competent tradesperson - Refer to competencies at end of controls section

An Excavation Permit must be submitted to and approved by the Baseline site manager/supervisor prior to start work, and can be valid for seven consecutive days at a time, with the condition of daily control reviews.

The permit, in line with approved SWMS, must address the following:

Baseline site manager / supervisor MUST monitor the excavation activity (from outside the excavation exclusion zone) until the work activity has been completed.

Weather condition's MUST be monitored for the duration of works

Excavated material placement MUST be monitored to confirm distance from edge of trench

A Task Observation should be conducted by a Baseline Project Team member to record the works being carried out as per approved SWMS.

The Subcontractor Supervisor MUST be present at all times to ensure the excavation permit and SWMS are being adhered to and excavation entry is prevented at end of each shift

The Subcontractor Supervisor MUST inspect the excavation at the start of each shift and confirm safe to enter

At the end of the activity the Civils contractor supervisor MUST confirm the excavation has been vacated by all team members and has been closed off to prevent unauthorised entry and can complete backfill.

The Baseline site manager / supervisor MUST confirm the area has been made safe and close out the excavation permit

Work should be undertaken above ground where possible, to eliminate the need for tunnels or shafts.

Mobile plant shall be used instead of manual labour to conduct excavation works where possible

Schedule works to occur outside of high-traffic hours or staggered to reduce mobile plant interactions

All overhead and underground services in the vicinity of the excavation shall be identified and controlled through the use of isolations, or safe approach distances.

No spoils, plant or equipment shall be stored in the ‘zone of influence’ of an excavation at any time, unless a ground support system has been designed and installed to carry such loads by a Geotechnical Engineer.

Safe access and egress must be provided at all times for workers entering excavations

An Excavation Permit must be approved prior to commencing any excavation works

Hard hats are to be mandatory around operating plant and while inside an excavation greater than 1.5m

Additional PPE MUST be considered in relation to known uncontrolled risk