Small Groundworks & Excavation Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Fuel storage and refuelling — Store fuels in bunded, labelled containers on impermeable ground away from drains; keep spill kits adjacent. Shut down plant, cool before refuel, and ban ignition sources. Use funnels/anti-spill nozzles, supervise transfers, and report/contain spills with booms and granules; dispose as hazardous.
• Compaction equipment — Assess ground bearing; keep plate/roller away from edges and services. Use emission-controlled units with deadman controls. Wear hearing protection and gloves, rotate users to manage HAV. Stop on excessive vibration/soft spots and reassess. Refuel cool equipment in a bunded, no-smoking zone.
• Noise exposure — Survey noise for breakers, saws and compactors; select quieter methods and maintain equipment. Enforce hearing protection zones, provide suitable defenders, and rotate tasks to limit dose. Brief on fit/limitations and keep bystanders outside zones; monitor exposure to remain below action values.
• Ergonomic strain — Assess tasks involving shovelling, barrowing or prolonged stooping. Rotate duties, provide mechanical aids like wheelbarrows/hoists, and ensure regular breaks. Train workers in posture and lifting techniques; plan workloads to prevent overexertion and allow recovery.
• Breaking and cutting operations — Select low-vibration breakers/saws with water suppression or on-tool extraction. Use guards, face/eye protection and cut tables. Exclude bystanders from fragment throw, control leads/hoses to avoid trips, and rotate tasks with timed breaks. Maintain discs, chisels and anchors to maker specs.