Product Overview

This Excavation and Trenching Procedure is a comprehensive, ready-to-use work health and safety document designed specifically for Australian businesses undertaking civil construction, plumbing and gasfitting, landscaping, building, and fencing works. It provides a clear, practical framework for planning, executing and monitoring excavation and trenching activities in line with WHS legislation, Codes of Practice and Australian Standards.

Developed by WHS professionals with strong construction and civil experience, this procedure helps you control the significant risks associated with ground collapse, underground services, plant interaction and work at depth. It integrates smoothly with existing SWMS, risk assessments and site management plans, giving your supervisors and crews clear guidance from pre-start through to backfilling and site handover.

Key Features

• Step-by-step guidance for planning and carrying out excavation and trenching work on construction, civil and landscaping sites.
• Detailed WHS risk controls for shoring, benching, battering, trench boxes and shielding systems.
• Clear requirements for locating and protecting underground services, including Dial Before You Dig and asset owner coordination.
• Practical checklists for pre-start planning, underground service identification, access and egress, PPE, and emergency preparedness.
• Defined roles and responsibilities for managers, supervisors, plant operators, plumbers, landscapers, fencing crews and contractors.
• Template-style tables for inspections, training records, document control and excavation condition monitoring.

Benefits

• Strengthens WHS compliance by aligning your excavation activities with Australian work health and safety laws and Codes of Practice.
• Reduces the risk of trench collapse, service strikes and serious injuries through structured, proven control measures.
• Saves time on site by giving supervisors a clear procedure and ready-made safety documentation they can implement immediately.
• Supports consistent safety standards across multiple projects, crews and subcontractors.
• Demonstrates due diligence to regulators, clients and principal contractors by documenting how excavation risks are managed.

Who is this for?

This Excavation and Trenching Procedure is ideal for:

• Civil construction and earthworks contractors undertaking roadworks, subdivisions and bulk earthworks.
• Plumbing and gasfitting businesses installing underground services and house drains.
• Landscaping contractors constructing retaining walls, garden beds and site reshaping.
• Building and construction companies managing footings, foundations and service trenches.
• Fencing contractors drilling post holes and installing structural fence lines.

Whether you are a small contractor needing robust safety documentation or a larger business standardising WHS procedures across multiple crews, this document provides a practical, industry-focused solution.

Legislation & References

The procedure is written to reflect the requirements of Australian work health and safety legislation and the Model Code of Practice for Excavation Work, as well as common regulatory expectations across states and territories. It references relevant WHS Regulation provisions, construction work guidance and applicable Australian Standards, helping you demonstrate that your excavation controls are based on recognised best practice.

Use this Excavation and Trenching Procedure as part of your WHS management system to improve safety outcomes, streamline compliance and give your site teams clear, authoritative guidance on how to manage excavation risks effectively.