Excavation Inspection Checklist
Selecting The Right Plant
1. Is the type of earthmoving plant selected suitable for the work that needs to be performed? Are the following considered? • The type and extent of the excavation work (materials, loads) • Rated capacity, allowable gradient, and other specifications of the plant • Type of attachments required • The frequency and duration that the plant will be used • Proximity of other plants and structures • Workplace conditions (ground conditions, site access, public areas, power supply)
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2. Has a competent person conducted a documented inspection of the general plant involved in the excavation at regular intervals? Does this cover but is not limited to the following? • Trench shields or boxes for correct installation, and movement, or damage • Sheet piling and ground anchors for correct installation, movement. or damage • Shoring system components including trench jacks.
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3. Has a competent person conducted a documented inspection of the excavation site prior to starting work? Does this cover, but not limit to the following? • The nature of the excavation and the proposed work • Any shoring or ground support system required • The ground and soil conditions in and around the excavation • The proposed means of entry and exit from the excavation • Any written advice or report from a geo-tech engineer detailing the conditions and time periods relating to the stability of the excavation or trench that workers may enter.
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Planning, Scheduling And Coordinating The Excavation Work
1. Has relevant information, training, and instructions been provided to workers who are required to install or work with ground support systems? Does this cover but not limit to the following? • The specific installation methods for the ground support system • Safe entry and exit to the excavation • Rescue and emergency procedures • Effective communication between workers and the plant operator (blind spots).
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2. Has a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) been prepared for the high-risk construction work associated with work in a trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 meters and/or the risk of a person falling more than 2 meters, that: • Describes the high-risk construction work to be undertaken • Sets out the steps required to perform the work • Identifies hazards • Describes the control measures to be used
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3. For work that is not designated high-risk construction work (i.e. work associated with work in a trench with an excavated depth less than 1.5 meters and/or the risk of the person falling less than 2 meters) has a risk assessment been done before any excavation work commences? Are the following considered? • The hazards and risks (e.g. potential injuries from a trench collapse) • The nature of the excavation and proposed work • The proposed safe methods to carry out the work (considering soil type) • The means of entry and exit to the excavation.
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6. Has there been an adequate consultation process conducted with all relevant people prior to the excavation work commencing? Does this include the following? • Principal contractor, engineers, sub-contractors, plant operators, HSRs, workers • Meetings to discuss the hazards and risks associated with the proposed works • Information shared among people with overlapping safety duties • Scheduling and programming of works to minimize health and safety risks • Planning on how to provide important training and information to workers and others • Planning of emergency and evacuation procedures.
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Excavation Work Siting And Setup
1. If the excavation is located near other plants or structures, are there control measures in place to prevent injury to workers and members of the public? Are the following considered? • Overhead electrical lines and underground essential services • Nearby buildings and structures • Cranes, EWPs, or other potential obstructions (e.g. concrete placement booms). • Roads, footpaths, and other public areas.
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2. Have appropriate exclusion zones been established around the excavation to prevent the following? • Workers or public from falling into the excavated area • Other plant and vehicle traffic from entering the excavated area • Collapse of the excavated area from other plant and vehicle traffic • Workers or the public from entering any unsafe trenches or excavated areas • Workers in the excavation from being struck by falling objects
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3. Have all relevant workers and plant operators been informed and understand where exclusion zones are established? Are the following considered? • Specific and clearly marked haul routes for mobile plant and trucks (traffic management plans) • Clearly marked access and egress ways for workers • Clear delineation zones between mobile plants and workers.
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4. If there is a ground support system installed, is there a safe system of work in place to minimise the risk of injury from people installing and removing the system? Are the following considered? • Training, information, and instructions to workers for installation methods • Installation is in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications • Work is supervised by a competent person • Components are assembled in the correct sequence • Specific lifting points are used for trench boxes • Correct tools and equipment are used • Personal protective equipment is being worn by workers.
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Working In The Excavation Safely
1. Is the risk of people falling into the excavation adequately controlled? Are the following considered? • Physical control methods installed (trench box extensions, guard rails, scaffolding) • Backfilling as work progresses (safe system of work) • Providing clearly defined access and egress for workers (steps cut into the excavation) • Securing ladders into the excavation • Providing adequate barriers or barricades at a safe distance back from the excavation.
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2. Is the risk of people being trapped from collapse adequately controlled for trenches at least 1.5 m deep? Are the following considered? • Minimizing the amount of time workers are required to be in the excavation (if at all) • Benching, battering, or a combination of both • Shoring or sheet piling • Trench shields or boxes • Geotechnical engineer providing signed advice or report including specific conditions and time periods for which the advice applies • Adequate barriers or barricades at a safe distance from the excavation to prevent mobile plants, vehicles or people from getting close to the edge (wheel stoppers for plants)
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3. Is the risk of people being struck by falling objects adequately controlled? Are the following considered? • Erecting adequate barriers or barricades at a safe distance from the excavation • Ensuring adequate storage of materials and plants at a safe distance from the excavation • Providing clearly defined pedestrian access ways • Pre-starts conducted to identify any dislodgement of soil or rock • Providing containment or support to excavation sides for unstable material.
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4. Has unauthorized access or inadvertent entry been adequately controlled for trenches at least 1.5 m deep? Are the following considered? • Providing barriers, barricades, or fencing • Providing appropriate signage • Providing training and instructions to other workers who are not involved in the excavation work
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5. If there are additional hazards or risks associated with the excavation work, have they been adequately managed? Are the following considered? • People exposed to airborne contaminants (fumes, hazardous chemicals in soil) • People exposed to eye, hand, or crush injuries (PPE including high-visibility clothing) • People exposed to noise (jack-hammers, generators) • People exposed to dust (soil, silica).
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Checklist by GoAudits.com – Please note that this checklist is intended as an example. We do not guarantee compliance with the laws applicable to your territory or industry. You should seek professional advice to determine how this checklist should be adapted to your workplace or jurisdiction.
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