Deep Excavation (over 1.5m) and Ground Stability Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers deep excavation over 1.5 metres and the ground-stability issues that can arise during planning, excavation and worker entry. It supports planning and risk management by addressing services, ground conditions, plant, water, atmospheric hazards, inspections and rescue readiness.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan excavation work and locate underground services
• Assess ground conditions and select an appropriate excavation design
• Set up exclusion zones, edge protection and site controls
• Operate excavation plant and manage vehicle interactions
• Manage excavation progress and worker entry
• Respond to water ingress, weather and changing ground conditions
• Identify atmospheric hazards and contaminated ground
• Manage adjacent structures, traffic and external loads
• Inspect excavation controls and communicate changed conditions
• Prepare emergency response and rescue arrangements

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out deep excavation and ground-stability work.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — 2.3. Controlling the risks; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Construction work — 6.2 Workplace specific induction training; p. 41.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 3. Step 2 — How to assess risks; p. 15.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use