Excavation Policy¶
| Document Reference | POL_HSQE_13 |
|---|---|
| Revision | 3 |
| Issue Date | 1st July 2025 |
| Next Review | 1st July 2026 |
| Status | Uncontrolled when printed |
Purpose¶
This policy establishes safe excavation practices to protect our workforce from cave-ins, water ingress, and underground hazards during water infrastructure and grab operations.
Scope¶
This policy applies to all employees, directors, contractors, and visitors undertaking or observing excavation work at A M Water Services Ltd premises and sites, regardless of excavation depth.
Legal Requirements¶
This policy ensures compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and associated excavation safety regulations.
Policy Statement¶
Every excavation presents potentially fatal risks, therefore we implement rigorous controls before any digging begins. Aaron Mason reviews all tender documents to ensure Principal Designers have provided ground condition information and contamination data as required under CDM regulations. When this information is missing, we contact the Principal Designer or Client directly to obtain these critical details before proceeding.
Before starting any project, Aaron Mason conducts site visits to visually assess ground conditions and consults property owners about previous site uses that might indicate contamination. We check existing Health and Safety Files and obtain professional engineer advice for excavations over 2 meters deep or in poor ground conditions, treating these as temporary works requiring design drawings and method statements.
All excavation work requires comprehensive risk assessments and method statements before commencement. Our Foreman ensures workers receive toolbox talks covering contaminated ground recognition, water ingress signs, service detection, and changing soil conditions. We obtain permits to dig for every excavation to verify underground services have been identified and marked, with additional checks using CAT scanners for water main connections.
We never allow entry to unsupported excavations. All excavations are properly supported, battered back, or stepped according to engineer recommendations and method statements. Only trained competent workers install shoring under Aaron Mason's direct supervision, with safe access provided through secured ladders or steps positioned appropriately for emergency egress.
Implementation¶
Barriers and signage protect every excavation perimeter with toe boards preventing materials falling into trenches. Spoil, materials, and vehicles are positioned away from excavation edges to prevent collapse, and stop blocks are installed before backfilling. Daily inspections occur at shift starts with weekly recorded inspections maintained in our excavation register. Confined space permits are obtained when atmospheric testing indicates oxygen deficiency or harmful gas presence.
Responsibilities¶
Directors maintain overall excavation safety accountability including resource provision and legal compliance. Site supervisors implement permit systems, conduct inspections, and ensure proper support systems are installed before entry. All employees and contractors must follow excavation procedures, use designated access points, and report any ground condition changes or safety concerns immediately.
Review¶
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Directors to ensure it remains effective and continues to prevent excavation-related incidents and fatalities.
Signed:
Aaron Mason Director A M Water Services Ltd 1st July 2025
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