Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO.

: SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 1 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

Rev. Description of Change Clause

A Initial Release N.A.

Prepared/Reviewed By

PUSH 20 Jan 2022

________________________ __________________________ ____________________
(Signature) (Project Manager ) (Date)

Approved By

SHEN ZHU YOU 20 Jan 2022

_________________ __________________________ ____________________
(Signature) (Director) (Date)
 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 2 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

1. Purpose : To establish safe work procedure for excavation and trenching operation to protect
the workers and neighbouring structures.

2. Scope : This procedure is applicable to all project sites. Where work is carried out at main
contractor/ client’s premises/ site and the main contractor/ client has a SWP, the
main contractor/ client’s SWP shall be followed.

3. Reference : Nil

4. Definition : Nil

5. Responsibility :

5.1 The Person In-Charge (PIC) shall be responsible for overseeing the safe work of excavation and
trenching.

5.2 The Safety Supervisor (SS)/ Safety Assessor shall ensure compliance with the legal requirements.

5.3 The Project Manager (PM)/ Person In-Charge (PIC) shall decide if the excavation requested requires
a permit-to-work and issue accordingly.

6. Procedure :

6.1 Planning

6.1.1 The PIC and Engineer shall evaluate the following crucial factors and decide whether
Professional Engineer’s calculation is required:
 depth of excavation;
 vibration and loading of equipment;
 traffic imposed on shoring;
 drawings;
 visual inspection;
 soil test report etc. (if applicable)

6.2 Excavation Operation

 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 3 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

6.2.1 The cable detector (specialists or nominated sub-contractors) shall determine the
underground installations such as sewer, water, gas, electric line etc.

6.2.2 PIC shall inform relevant authorities i.e. Commissioner/ Power Grid prior to commencement
of work.

6.2.3 The PIC and Engineer shall take special safety precautions to de-energise the electrical
cables, remove the boulders, telephone poles, trees etc or strengthen any other structures
that may topple as a result of excavation.

6.2.4 The SS and the sub-contractors under the supervision of Engineer shall ensure the following:

 No person shall be permitted to enter any excavation unless sheet piling, shoring or
other safeguards are provided;
 Adequate shoring and bracing is in places where worker is exposed to falling hazard or
sliding materials from any bank or side more than 1.5m above his footing. Planks used
for shoring piling shall be at least 50mm thick;
 Excavated material and other imposing loads are placed away from the edge of
excavations and trenches and shall be piled or retained so as to prevent the excavated
material or load from falling into the excavations and trenches;
 Barricades and warning signs are erected to prevent persons from falling into the
excavation;
 Safe means of access such as ladders, stairways or ramps shall be provided for safe
access to and egress from the excavation;
 If the depth of excavation is more than 1.5 m or where the banks are undercut, shoring
is to be provided to ensure that the excavation work is safe.
 If the depth of excavation is more than 4 m, then construct shoring as per PE design and
drawing.
 Workers shall follow the guidelines in Attachment 7.1.

6.2.5 The Supervisor and/ or SS shall ensure that excavators are maintained regularly.

6.3 Inspection and Record Keeping

 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 4 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

6.3.1 The Supervisor and/ or SS/ Safety Assessor shall inspect the excavated area daily by using
(use Attachment 7.2: Excavation Checklist). They shall carry out inspection immediately
after rainstorms.

6.3.2 The PIC and WSHO/ SS shall keep the Professional Engineer design, approval letter,
inspection checklist for legal and other purpose.

6.4 Non-conformance

6.4.1 In the event of any non-compliance, the PM/ PIC shall be informed immediately. The PM/
PIC shall take necessary action against responsible parties and shall ensure that follow-up
action has been carried out.

6.4.2 In case of any emergency, PM/ PIC shall take all the necessary actions as per emergency
preparedness procedure
7. Attachment

7.1 Dos and Don’ts of Excavation and Trenching Operation

7.2 Permit-to-work for Excavation

 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 5 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

Attachment 7.1

DOS AND DON’TS OF EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING OPERATION

S/N DOS DON’TS

Install all shoring wherever possible from the

1 Don’t leave the trench unshored even for a short period of time.
top of the trench downwards

2 Keep all struts in true horizontal Don’t leave the trench unfilled after the job is completed

3 Carry out shoring directly behind the trenching
Use railing & barricades and signs to keep
4
pedestrians from falling into the trench.
Don’t leave the trench without any barricade signs and night
lights especially when there is a danger of persons falling into
it.
Don’t leave the side unshored where vehicular traffic is heavy
at the excavation site.

Keep the earth debris materials away from the Don’t carryout the excavation without appointing a person to
5
trench. control the traffic and keep them away from the trench edge.

Keep roads alongside the trench clear or rocks

Don’t use any inferior, weak or inadequate quantity of material
6 and stones to prevent passing vehicles from
for shoring.
accidentally knocking them into the trench.

Space out the workers using hand tools to Don’t proceed with any excavation without knowing soil
7
avoid them hurting each other conditions or planning
Provide ladders of adequate height along the
Don’t begin excavation without consulting the relevant
8 trench so that emergency exit could be made
authorities as to the presence of underground installations.
quickly.
Use safety shoes, helmet & other personal Don’t proceed excavation work without wearing proper
9
protective equipment personal equipment
Keep the excavation area dry. De-water after
10 Don’t allow accumulation of water in the trench.
rain.
 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 6 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

When removing shoring, the final struts & In the soft soil don’t place the sheeting down to the depth of
11 sheeting removal must be carried out from excavation only. Soil/material may force into the trench from
outside the trench. behind the sheeting causing dangerous earth movement.

Attachment 7.2
PERMIT-TO-WORK FOR EXCAVATION

Ref. No.:
To be Completed by Applicant
Company: Work
Location:
Duration: From (Date/Time) To (Date/
Time)

Inspected by Applicant
Inspection date & time:
(Name/signature):
S/N Inspection Items Report of Inspection* Remarks
1. Personal Protective Equipment Record
2. Name list of authorised operators to operate machinery/vehicles
3. First Aid Box with adequate medical supplies
Adequate warning signboards placed conspicuously at strategic
4.
locations
Route diversion signboards for public information and
5.
convenience (where public access is affected)
6. Blinker lights to trenches/ works of existing road
7. Shoring to excavated trenches more than 1.5m deep
shoring for excavated trench more than 4m deep constructed
8.
according to PE's design and drawings
Open sides of excavation are guarded by adequate and effective
9.
barricades (Minimum 1.1m height)
10. Temporary access with railing properly secured over trenches
Ladders, stairways or ramps provided in trench of more than
11.
1.2m depth
Materials kept away from the edges of the trench (At least 610mm
12.
away from the trench)
13. Safety cover across road opening/ over drain opening
Overhead protection for workers working in the manholes near
14.
buildings under construction
15. Tunnel constructed according to PE's design and drawings
 Fikdtec Pte Ltd DOC NO. : SWP-18

REV. : 0

SHEET : 7 OF 7
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
EFF DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: SAFE PRACTICES IN EXCAVATION

Approved ventilation system provided in tunnel in accordance to

16.
PE's design and drawings
17. Personal Protective Equipment worn by workers/site staff
18. Vehicles / Machinery operated by authorised person
19 Others (Pls specify)
Endorsed by Safety Assessor
Name/ Signature: Date/ Time:

Permit Authorization (by Project Manager/ Authorized Personnel)

This permit is valid until . (Maximum 7 working days from the date of commencement as
stated above)
Name: Signature:
Date: Time:

*  = Satisfactory / Yes  = Not provided / Not Satisfactory / No NA = Not Applicable