Example Risk Assessment for Excavations

Title: Risk assessment for excavations to construct a strip foundation and sewer for a small site (2 houses)
Company name: Sure Foundations Ltd Date assessment was carried out: 10/01/11
Date of next review: 10/01/12 Assessment carried out by: J. Surebrick

Who needs When is

What are the Who might be harmed What further action do
What are you already doing? to carry out the action Done
hazards? and how? you need to take?
the action? needed by?
Buried Plant operators and any  Use CAT to locate services and mark  Banksman to observe JS 14/02/11 ----
Services other workers in the Hand-digging measures to be used to area being excavated
vicinity. expose existing services. for any undiscovered
services.

Overhead lines Plant operators and any  Liaise with line operator to see if line can  If lines remain live JS From: ----
other workers in the be made dead or diverted. select plant or modify 14/02/11
vicinity. so that it can not reach
the lines.

 Erect goalposts on all JS From: ----

traffic routes under 14/02/12
overhead power lines.

Worker falling Serious injury or fatal  Physical barriers to be erected at  Supervisor to monitor JS
From: ----
into injury could occur if a excavation edge. 14/02/11
excavation worker falls into an
excavation.

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 Who needs When is
What are the Who might be harmed What further action do
What are you already doing? to carry out the action Done
hazards? and how? you need to take?
the action? needed by?
Plant falling Serious injury or fatal  Vehicle routes are planned.  Routes marked with JS From: ----
into injury could occur to baulks of timber and / 14/02/11
excavation e.g. those working within or fencing.
concrete lorry excavation and to the
overrunning plant operator if plant  Provide secured stop blocks.  Banksman to assist in JS From: ----
edge of topples into it. safe use of plant. 14/02/11
excavation
 Foreman to check plant JS From: ----
reports. 14/02/11

Risks of sides Serious injury or fatal  Ground conditions suitable for sides of  1.5m deep excavation JS 14/02/11 ----
of 1.5m deep injury could occur if the 1.5m deep excavation not to be supported. to be carried out and
strip excavation collapses in foundations poured in
foundation of on worker. on the same day.
excavation
collapsing  No operatives to enter 1.5m deep  Supervisor to monitor. JS 14/02/11 ----
excavation.

Risks of sides Serious injury or fatal  Use a drag box to provide support to the  Operators must work JS 14/02/11 ----
of 12m long, injury could occur if the sides of the excavations for the sewers. within the confines of
1.2m-2.0m excavation collapses in the drag box.
deep on worker.
excavation for
sewers
collapsing Serious injury or fatal  Groundworks foreman to check safety of  Excavated material to JS From: ----
injury could occur if the both excavations in accordance with CDM be stockpiled remotely 14/02/11
excavation collapses in Regulations & record weekly inspections. from the excavation (at
on worker. least 2m away).

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 Who needs When is
What are the Who might be harmed What further action do
What are you already doing? to carry out the action Done
hazards? and how? you need to take?
the action? needed by?

Risk of sides Serious injury or fatal  Site investigation identified there should be  Ensure water pump is JS 14/02/11 ----
of excavation injury could occur if the no significant ground water. available on site. In
collapsing due excavation collapses in period of heavy rain
to ground / on worker. pump to be lifted in and
surface water out without entering
excavation.

Ground Workers contract gastro-  Provision of PPE, waterproof / abrasion-  Inoculation to reduce JS 15/01/11 ----
contaminated enteritis or hepatitis A or resistant gloves, footwear, eye & risk of contracting
connecting to Leptopirosis (Well’s respiratory protection. hepatitis A.
existing foul disease).  Workers to be advised
manhole off symptoms.

 Provision of good site welfare facilities.  Supervisor to monitor. JS 15/01/11 ----

Inhalation of Workers could be  Use gas tester to check atmosphere in foul  If flammable / toxic JS From: ----
toxic gas and asphyxiated and / or manhole before entering. gases are present, 14/02/11
oxygen poisoned. purge manhole &
deficiency repeat atmosphere
check.

Assessment Review Date: 10/01/2012

Example Risk Assessment for Excavations

Published by HSWNI, 10/11.

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