| Excavating to repair a main |
Collapse of excavation |
Site personnel could be trapped or buried, resulting in serious injury or death |
At least one operative per team trained in support systems · All excavations supported using sheets, frames, struts or trench boxes · Excavations checked at start of each shift · Weekly inspections by competent person and recorded · Heavy plant prevented from working close to excavation · Personnel avoid working ahead of support |
4/2/8 |
Team to cease work and notify supervisor when excavation exceeds 1.2 m depth · Update excavation inspection records (Supervisor, immediate) |
4/1/4 |
| Access/egress to excavation |
Falls while entering/exiting excavation |
Site personnel could suffer injuries from falls |
Ladders used as primary means of access · Ladders in good condition, adequate length, secured to prevent slipping · Ladders positioned at correct angle |
3/2/6 |
Implement inspection-tag system for all ladders (Site agent, within 1 month) |
3/1/3 |
| Working around excavations |
People and objects falling into excavation |
Site personnel, visitors, members of public could suffer injuries from falls |
Edge protection with guardrail, midrail and toeboard · Materials stored at least excavation depth away from edge · Working area kept free from materials and clutter |
3/3/9 |
Use excavation support extending 1.1 m above ground as additional edge protection · Implement exclusion zones with physical barriers (Site foreman, immediate) |
3/1/3 |
| Unattended excavations |
Members of public entering work area |
Members of public, especially children, could fall into excavation |
All working areas fenced off to prevent public access · Excavations left unattended covered where possible · Area secured using double-clipped open mesh fencing |
4/2/8 |
Ensure additional warning signs are in place · Increase security checks on unattended sites (Site agent, immediate) |
4/1/4 |
| Working near structures |
Damage to adjacent structures |
Site personnel, visitors, public could be injured by structural collapse. Property damage |
Temporary works design for excavations near structures · Ensures ground stability and protection of structures |
4/2/8 |
Implement permit system for work near structures · Ensure pre-works survey of adjacent structures |
4/1/4 |
| Exposure to contaminated ground |
Contact with contaminated materials |
Site personnel exposed to harmful substances through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact |
Ground investigation prior to works · Appropriate PPE including gloves, respiratory protection if required · Wash facilities provided |
3/2/6 |
Additional staff training on recognising contaminated ground · Improve welfare facilities for decontamination |
3/1/3 |
| Working near underground services |
Contact and damage to services |
Site personnel could suffer electric shock, burns, gas inhalation or flooding |
Services identified through plans and CAT scanning · Hand digging within 0.5 m of known services · Services protected once exposed · Appropriate PPE including flame-retardant clothing |
4/3/12 |
Implement service-specific permit to work · Improve availability of insulated tools · Additional service-location training |
4/1/4 |
| Dewatering of excavations |
Sudden ingress of water |
Site personnel could be injured by flooding. Environmental pollution from pumped water |
Pumps available for water removal · Silt filtration before discharge · Monitoring of weather conditions |
3/2/6 |
Implement permit-to-pump system for all dewatering · Improve availability of pollution control devices |
3/1/3 |