Selwyn College May 2012

Risk Management Procedure RMP/14c

Excavation Works Issue: 1

Policy  The College recognises that it necessary to carry out excavation works.
 These works may be carried out by College staff and contractors.
Objectives  The College’s main objective is to ensure that excavation works are
carried out to safe working methods, minimising risk to person and
property.
 Alternative methods of works such as trenchless techniques should be
considered before excavations are carried out.
Key Personnel  Heads of Department (and their Deputies where appropriate) are
responsible for:
 Ensuring that staff adhere to this procedure.
 Issuing Permits to Work to all contractors carrying out
excavation works (RMP/14c (1).
 Checking any available drawings or information concerning
underground or overhead services that may affect the excavation
works.
Other staff  Examples of staff who may be involved in excavation works:
involved  Maintenance Staff.
 Gardeners.
 Grounds workers.
 Contractors installing and maintaining underground pipe work.
 Note: This list is not exhaustive.
Risk Assessments  A risk assessment is required for all excavation works.
 The Head of Department will complete a specific risk assessment for
their staff to cover their works.
 A job specific risk assessment should be provided by any contractor
carrying out excavation works.
Method  A job-specific method statement must be provided by contractor to
Statements detail planned and reactive maintenance works.
Responsibility  The Head of Department (or their Deputy, where appropriate) is
responsible for ensuring this policy and procedure is implemented.
Management of  The Head of Department (or their Deputy where appropriate) will
Permits to Work discuss the works to be carried out with the operative (either Selwyn
Staff or a Contractor).
 The discussion will include:
 Current ground conditions.
 Underground services.
 What method of temporary support to be used if excavations over 1
metre or ground conditions dictate, or if the operative will have to
work on their knees to complete task.
 Equipment to provide this support must be in-situ before works
commence.
 Selwyn College May 2012
Risk Management Procedure RMP/14c
Excavation Works Issue: 1

 Where there is a risk of falling materials into excavation, if toe

boards etc. are required.
 HARD HATS MUST BE WORN IN THE EXCAVATION AT ALL
TIMES.
 Check for scaffold footings and foundations of walls.
 Agree an exclusion zone for vehicular traffic around the excavation
and cordon as necessary.
 Agree exclusion zone for pedestrians and cordon as necessary.
 These discussions must be recorded and documentation signed by
both parties.
Inspection and  The excavation must be inspected by the Head of Department (or
Monitoring competent Deputy) each day prior to works commencing.
 Details of all inspections must be recorded.
 Should there be a fall of rock or earth or the weather conditions
significantly change during the day the operative must contact the Head
of Department (or Deputy) to re-inspect the excavation.
Reporting and  All Permits to Work issued must be recorded on a central Register held
record keeping electronically on a shared drive (Shared Space/R drive/File: Permits to
Work Register).
 A copy of all completed Permits to Work must be held by the
authorising Head of Department for 5 years after completion of the
works.
Additional  HSE guidance ‘Structural Stability during excavations’.
information
Review  The Maintenance Manager will review this document bi-annually, or
following and changes in legislation.
 All/any changes will be advised to the Health and Safety Working
Group prior to publication.
Appendix  Evacuation Works Permit to Work and Inspection Sheet RMP/14d (1)