Risk Assessment: Working with Contaminated Ground¶
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Reference | RA22 |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Issue Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Next Review | 1 June 2027 |
| Prepared By | Sean Ashton |
| Approved By | Aaron Mason, Director |
Risk Assessment Table¶
| Activity/Process | Hazard | Who/What Affected | Existing Controls | Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) | New Controls Required | Post-Control Risk (S/L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-construction site investigation | Failure to identify existing contamination before works commence | Site personnel exposed to unknown contaminants • Local environment affected by mobilization • Public exposed to contaminants |
• Desktop studies of site history conducted • Preliminary site investigation with soil sampling • Laboratory analysis where contamination suspected • Consultation with regulatory authorities • Review of ground investigation reports • Ground penetrating radar surveys • Results incorporated into project planning |
4/3/12 (High) | • Establish minimum site investigation requirements based on site history HSQE • Develop central database of contaminated sites HSQE • Consider specialist contaminated land consultants for high-risk sites Project Manager at planning stage |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Excavation in contaminated areas | Exposure to hazardous substances through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact • Mobilization of contaminants |
Site personnel suffer health effects • Environmental contamination • Public exposure to mobilized contaminants |
• Site-specific risk assessments developed • Appropriate PPE provided • Dust suppression measures • Air monitoring for volatile contaminants • Controlled excavation techniques • Work rotation to limit exposure • Exclusion zones established • Decontamination facilities provided |
5/3/15 (High) | • Enhanced training on contaminated ground hazards HSQE • Consider permit to work system for contaminated ground operations HSQE • Cross reference with Method Statement 2.23 |
5/3/15 (High) |
| Discovery of unexpected contamination | Unplanned exposure to hazardous substances • Inappropriate handling • Spread of contamination |
Site personnel health effects • Environmental contamination from uncontrolled spread |
• Training to recognize contamination signs • Stop work policy if suspected • Supervisors immediately notified • Temporary covering of suspect material • Sampling for analysis • Work resumes only after identification • Emergency spill kits available • Toolbox talks on recognition |
4/4/16 (High) | • Consider field testing kits for preliminary identification Environmental Manager, within 3 months | 4/3/12 (High) |
| Storage and handling of contaminated materials | Cross-contamination of clean areas • Leaching from stored materials • Wind-blown dust |
Site personnel exposure during handling • Environmental contamination • Adjacent land/water contamination |
• Contaminated materials segregated • Designated storage with containment • Impermeable membranes under stockpiles • Stockpiles covered • Runoff control measures • Minimal material handling • Damping down in dry conditions • Clear marking of storage areas • Vehicle wheel washing |
4/3/12 (High) | • Additional training on contaminated material handling for supervisors HSQE | 4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Transportation of contaminated materials | Spillage during transport • Cross-contamination of vehicles • Inappropriate disposal |
Transport personnel exposure • Environmental spillage • Public highway contamination |
• Licensed waste carriers only • Appropriate waste classification • Waste transfer notes completed • Vehicles sheeted/sealed • Vehicle cleanliness inspected • Designated loading areas • Supervised loading • Planned transport routes • Emergency response procedures |
4/3/12 (High) | • Specific training for drivers transporting contaminated materials HSQE | 4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Working with asbestos-contaminated soils | Exposure to asbestos fibers during soil disturbance | Site personnel develop asbestos-related diseases • Public exposed to airborne fibers |
• Specific asbestos risk assessments • Personnel with asbestos awareness training only • Enhanced dust suppression • Air monitoring during works • RPE (minimum FFP3) and disposable coveralls • Decontamination facilities with showers • Controlled excavation techniques • Immediate covering/damping of exposed soils |
5/3/15 (High) | • Enhanced training on asbestos in soils Specialized providers, within 2 months • Consider licensed asbestos contractors for high-risk work Operations Director per project • Cross reference with Method Statement 3.10 |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Personal decontamination | Inadequate decontamination leading to prolonged exposure • Cross-contamination • Off-site transfer |
Site personnel prolonged exposure • Family exposure from contaminated clothing • Site facilities contamination |
• Appropriate decontamination facilities • PPE removal procedures established • Clean/dirty areas demarcated • Hand washing enforced • Boot wash stations at exits • Disposable coveralls for high contamination • Separate PPE storage • Regular welfare facility cleaning • No contaminated clothing home |
4/3/12 (High) | • Enhanced training on decontamination procedures HSQE • Consider portable shower facilities for high-risk work SLT |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Health surveillance | Undetected health effects from exposure • Lack of early intervention |
Site personnel develop undetected health conditions | • Health surveillance programs established • Pre-employment health screening • Exposure records maintained • Regular health checks for carcinogen exposure • Personnel informed of symptoms • Occupational health services available • Biological monitoring where appropriate |
4/3/12 (High) | • Comprehensive health surveillance program for water industry contaminants Occupational Health, within 3 months • Information sessions on long-term health effects HSQE • Consider biological monitoring for significant exposure Occupational Health, within 4 months |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
Key:¶
- S = Severity (1-5 scale)
- L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
- R = Risk Rating (S × L)
- Risk Levels:
- Low (1-3)
- Moderate (4-8)
- High (9-15)
- Very High (16-25)