MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT

CLIENT:

PROJECT:

TITLE: Excavations

SUMMARYOF RISKTO BE

ASSESSED:

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This assessment covers work involved in the use of excavations.

The assessment covers the requirements for safeguarding employees working in such areas.

HAZARDS: 1.

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Persons falling into excavations.

Collapse of the walls of the excavation.

Persons being struck by falling materials.

Contaminated conditions.

Underground services being struck / damaged.

Flooding.

Collapse of buildings / structures.

Persons being struck by moving excavator parts / associated plant and equipment.

Build up of harmful gases in the excavation.

PERSONSAT RISK:

1. Employees, staff, visitors and members of the public passing adjacent to the excavations.

NATURE OF RISK:

1. Cuts, bruises, broken bones and death through suffocation, falling, crushing, trapping, drowning, asphyxia.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURE FOR RISK CONTROL:

1. The Site Agent / Foreman should ensure that the excavation is adequately shored or the sides are battered to a suitable angle to prevent collapse.

MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT

Excavations Continued...

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

FOR RISK CONTROL: Continued..

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The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that there is edge protection around the edge of the excavation if it is over 1 metre deep.

The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that all material used in providing support for the excavation is of sound condition and free from defects

The Site Agent / Supervisor should inspect the excavation on a daily basis for defects and fallen material.

Appropriate ladders, correctly restrained, should be used to enter and exit the excavation.

Means of emptying water from the excavation should be provided where necessary.

The Site Agent / Supervisor should establish and locate all underground services prior to use of any mechanical excavation equipment.

The Site Agent / Supervisor would where possible have underground services isolated.

Where mechanical means are used to dig excavation the Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that a competent banksman is provided.

Where it is suspected that contaminated land or water is involved in the excavation the Site Agent / Supervisor should establish what the basis of the contamination is and what risks / preventative measures are required.

Where vehicles are used in close proximity to the excavation, vehicle stops should be erected at a safe distance from the edge of the excavation.

The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that no person is allowed to enter an excavation unless the sides are adequately supported or battered.

The Site Agent /Supervisor should establish an emergency procedure and communicate this to the employees for use in the event of major incidents which can occur.

All lifting equipment used in raising and lowering supports and equipment in excavations work should be inspected by a competent person.

The excavation should be adequately fenced off to prevent persons approaching the edge of the excavation.

When using remote controlled equipment in an excavation, e.g. compactors, shoring should not be extracted unless the equipment can be removed from the excavation without personnel entering.

MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT

Excavations Continued...

MAINTENANCE: 1.

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The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that all plant and equipment is maintained in good condition and free from defects.

The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that the excavation is inspected by a competent person on a daily basis and that statutory inspections are carried out.

TRAINING: 1.

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The Site Agent / Supervisor should ensure that a competent person is trained to inspect the excavations to comply with the statutory inspections.

The operatives should be trained in the procedures for erecting and dismantling supports for excavations and the emergency procedures.

Site Agent / Supervisor should be trained in their individual responsibilities.

RECORDS: 1.

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Records of all training should be maintained by the Site Agent / Supervisor.

Records of inspections should be maintained in the statutory forms.

Records of lifting tackle should be maintained where applicable.