Selwyn College
Risk Management Procedure
Excavation Works
Policy
Objectives




Key Personnel

Other staff
involved

Risk Assessments




Method
Statements
Responsibility

Management of
Permits to Work



May 2012
RMP/14c
Issue: 1
The College recognises that it necessary to carry out excavation works.
These works may be carried out by College staff and contractors.
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.
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.
Examples of staff who may be involved in excavation works:
 Maintenance Staff.
 Gardeners.
 Grounds workers.
 Contractors installing and maintaining underground pipe work.
Note: This list is not exhaustive.
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.
A job-specific method statement must be provided by contractor to
detail planned and reactive maintenance works.
The Head of Department (or their Deputy, where appropriate) is
responsible for ensuring this policy and procedure is implemented.
The Head of Department (or their Deputy where appropriate) will
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
Risk Management Procedure
Excavation Works
May 2012
RMP/14c
Issue: 1

Inspection and
Monitoring



Reporting and
record keeping


Additional
information
Review



Appendix

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.
The excavation must be inspected by the Head of Department (or
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.
All Permits to Work issued must be recorded on a central Register held
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.
HSE guidance ‘Structural Stability during excavations’.
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.
Evacuation Works Permit to Work and Inspection Sheet RMP/14d (1)