Small Groundworks & Excavation Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Spoil heaps and surcharge — Place spoil 0.5–1 m back from edges; use barriers to define set-back. Do not stack heavy materials or park plant near unsupported sides. Benched stockpiles on sloping ground; cover lightweight materials to prevent wind blow. Inspect for creep or slumping and regrade or remove as required.
• 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.
• Traffic and road proximity — Implement a traffic management plan with permit, signage, cones and safe taper lengths. Use Chapter-8 compliant barriers, night lighting, and trained operatives. Provide spotters for plant reversing, maintain clear sight lines, and coordinate with highways where works encroach on carriageways.
• Lifting of pipes and chambers — Plan lifts to LOLER; use rated lifting points, slings and spreaders. Keep people out of the drop zone with tag-lines and banksmen. Verify machine capacity at radius; avoid side-loading and travelling with suspended loads. Park loads on level ground and never stand in excavations under a lift.
• 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.