Excavation Work Over 1.5 Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers excavation work over 1.5 metres, from planning and site establishment through to work inside the excavation and emergency readiness. It supports planning and risk management by addressing services, ground stability, plant, access, weather, atmosphere and worker positioning.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan the work and locate services
• Establish the site and exclusion zones
• Assess excavation stability and ground collapse risks
• Provide access, egress and support for work inside the excavation
• Manage mobile plant and traffic interaction
• Control falling objects, spoil placement and edge hazards
• Monitor water ingress, weather and changing conditions
• Assess atmosphere, fumes and contaminated ground
• Manage manual handling, tools and worker positioning
• Prepare emergency response and rescue readiness

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out excavation work over 1.5 metres.

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: 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: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• 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: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.

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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