Method Statement 3.3.2 - Sign and Guarding of Excavations¶

Document Information

Field	Value
Document Reference	MS 3.3.2
Issue Number	2
Issue Date	1 June 2026
Next Review	1 June 2027
Prepared By	Sean Ashton
Approved By	Aaron Mason, Director

Task No	Task	PPE to be worn	Plant required	Reference is made to the Team Pack risk assessment
3.3.2	Sign and Guarding of Excavations	As defined by on-site risk assessment	Portable traffic lights, cable avoidance equipment, works vehicle and hand tools	N/A

Hazards¶

Manual Handling
Stored Energy in the Pipe
Defective Plant and Equipment
Towing Techniques
Incorrect Loading
Insufficient Space

Environmental Impacts¶

Noise
Dust
Light From Night working

Customer Impacts¶

Noise
Dust
Access

Training Required¶

As Per specific contract training matrix

Additional Plant and Equipment¶

Winch/Tractor Winch
Pipe Bursting/Slip Lining Rig
Mechanical Excavator

Permits Required¶

As Per specific contract specifications and Client requirements.

COSHH Assessment Required¶

2 Stroke Oil
Diesel/Petrol
Line Marker Spray
Lubricating Spray

Sequence of Operations and Control Methods¶

Site Setup and Initial Checks¶

Upon arrival on site the team leader must survey the area to ensure all potential risks have been identified.
If working in the public highway, prior to commencement check there is a valid permit for works. Display the permit number on the courtesy board.
Erect the signing, lighting and guarding in according with the requirements of chapter 8 of the Street Works Act (Red book).
The team leader shall be responsible to ensure the necessary plans of the underground services in the area are available.
All operatives involved in the works shall wear all necessary PPE as required by company policy and procedures and the identified control measures within the risk assessment process.
Daily inspections must be completed in accordance with the Street Works Act as defined below.

Checking and maintaining sites¶

Attended sites¶

Sites must be checked to ensure that the site set-up is still appropriate and that signs, lighting and guarding have not moved, become damaged or dirty:

Every time you start work on an existing site;
Regularly during active work; and
Before you leave a site.

Unattended sites¶

Sites that are unoccupied at any time still require the traffic management to be routinely checked and maintained. The frequency and timing of checks should be determined by the level of risk. The timing of checks might also need to be set to meet local circumstances. You should carry out a site check every day (including on weekends) unless your risk assessment deems this unnecessary.

If the site is not going to be visited the next day, contact your supervisor, manager or other competent person to discuss when the site should next be visited.

The level of risk may be affected by the following:¶

How busy is the road and/or footway during the hours the site is unattended, e.g. consider whether the site is near:

High-volume pedestrian areas.
Pubs and clubs.
Schools and colleges.
Commuter routes and traffic sensitive areas.
Sports grounds and concert venues.
Sites where vandalism is found to be a problem.
Weather conditions.
Risks of the works site, e.g. deep excavations, exposed services, trench crossings, plant and machinery, portable traffic signals, pedestrian crossing, footway or road closures and results of previous checks.

The above list is not exhaustive. Any problems should be dealt with immediately upon discovery.

Chapter 8: Traffic Signs Manual
Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice (Red Book)
Street Works Act