Risk Assessment for Excavations

Description

Risk Assessment for Excavations:

1. No excavation works are to be undertaken without obtaining plans, carrying out CAT scanning, and applying the HSE guidance document HSG 47 ‘Avoiding Dangers from Underground Services’; hand digging of trial holes may be required if services are in the general location;
2. Do not rely on services being exactly in the location as outlined on plans as commonly they may have been moved higher to the surface or moved away from the location indicated on drawings;
3. Carry out additional checks with live cable detectors (CAT) if for any reason you suspect something is still live;
4. Report to the Supervisor if further services are discovered during works that have not been previously identified;
5. A site-specific risk assessment shall be undertaken to establish whether the excavation is to be shored or battered back to a safe angle (angle of repose). This must be undertaken by a trained and competent person;