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Excavation and earthworks · United Kingdom

Method statement for trench excavation

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from HSE guidance and CDM 2015 · How we write and check theseUpdated

You must assess the risks of trench excavation and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

RAMS cover the hazards, who could be harmed and how, the controls and the safe sequence of work, and the crew is briefed and signs. The main hazards are hitting underground services, being hit by mobile plant, road traffic and trench or excavation collapse.

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RAMS example: trench excavation

This is a complete RAMS for trench excavation, with 10 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS)
Trenching for services · Excavation and earthworks · Example
Document RAMS-001 · Rev 1

Risk assessment

#ActivityHazardsWho might be harmedRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Get utility plans, then locate and mark services on the ground
  • Hitting underground services
  • Gas and fuel lines
Workers, Public, OccupantsVery high (15)
  • Keep machine buckets well clear of marked services and use a spotter. Isolate
  • Do a CAT and Genny scan before digging and mark services on the ground. Control (engineering)
  • Hand dig trial holes to find services before machine digging (safe digging practice). Control (engineering)
  • Get utility plans before digging and check them against what you see on site. Control (procedures)
  • Keep plans or locate tickets on site and check them again if the work area grows. Control (procedures)
  • If you hit a service, stop, get everyone clear, and call the owner and emergency services. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety boots, gloves and hi-vis when digging. PPE
  • Isolate and purge the line before work, with the owner's approval. Eliminate
  • Lock off and tag the isolation valve. Isolate
  • Check for leaks with a gas detector before and during work, and ventilate the area. Control (engineering)
  • Only Gas Safe registered engineers work on gas fittings. Control (procedures)
  • Remove ignition sources: no smoking, no hot work and no sparking tools near the line. Control (procedures)
  • Know where the shut-off valve is and what to do if a leak happens. Control (procedures)
  • Wear safety glasses and gloves, and keep a fire extinguisher close by. PPE
Medium (5)
2Check for overhead power lines and plan where the machine and spoil will go
  • Contact with overhead power lines
  • Being hit by mobile plant
Workers, Plant operators, Public, VisitorsVery high (15)
  • Ask the distribution network operator (DNO) to turn off, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Eliminate
  • Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Reduce / substitute
  • Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all plant and people outside it. Isolate
  • Follow HSE GS6: barriers, goal posts under the lines and a permit for work near them. Control (procedures)
  • Use a dedicated spotter whenever plant moves or raises anything near lines. Control (procedures)
  • Treat all lines as live. If plant touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Control (procedures)
  • Separate people and plant with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways. Isolate
  • Use plant with working reversing alarms, cameras and lights. Control (engineering)
  • Have a traffic management plan showing plant routes, loading areas and pedestrian paths. Control (procedures)
  • Use a spotter when reversing or working near people. Control (procedures)
  • Make eye contact with the operator before going near. Stay out of the swing radius. Control (procedures)
  • Operators hold a CPCS, NPORS or equal card for the plant they use. Control (procedures)
  • Do a pre-start check on each machine every day and record it. Control (procedures)
  • Wear hi-vis clothing and a hard hat. PPE
Medium (5)
3Pothole by hand or vacuum to expose marked services
  • Hitting underground services
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Workers, PublicVery high (15)
  • Hitting underground services: see step 1 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate
  • Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Reduce / substitute
  • Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Control (engineering)
  • Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Control (procedures)
  • Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Control (procedures)
  • Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE
Medium (6)
4Set an exclusion zone and a spotter around the excavator
  • Being hit by mobile plant
  • Road traffic
Workers, Visitors, Public, Road usersVery high (15)
  • Being hit by mobile plant: see step 2 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Do the work at low-traffic times, or close the road or lane with approval. Eliminate
  • Put solid barriers between the work and traffic where speeds are high, not just cones. Isolate
  • Use a truck-mounted attenuator or buffer vehicle on high speed roads. Control (engineering)
  • Set up signs and cones to Chapter 8 (Traffic Signs Manual) by trained operatives. Control (procedures)
  • Get a street works permit or licence from the highway authority before you start. Control (procedures)
  • Park work vehicles to shield the work zone, with beacons on. Control (procedures)
  • Wear Class 2 or 3 hi-vis clothing (EN ISO 20471). PPE
Medium (5)
5Dig the trench, keeping spoil back from the edge
  • Trench or excavation collapse
  • Being hit by mobile plant
Workers, Visitors, PublicVery high (15)
  • Use methods that keep people out of the trench, such as directional boring or working from the surface. Eliminate
  • Barricade or cover the excavation so people and plant cannot fall in. Isolate
  • Trench or excavation collapse: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Being hit by mobile plant: see step 2 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
6Shore, bench or batter the trench before anyone goes in where the sides could collapse
  • Trench or excavation collapse
WorkersVery high (15)
  • Support or batter back the sides of any excavation where collapse could happen. Use trench boxes or sheet piling for deeper trenches. Control (engineering)
  • Keep spoil, materials and plant at least 1 metre back from the edge. Control (engineering)
  • Trench or excavation collapse: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)
7Barricade the trench and provide safe ladder access, pump out any water, and keep engine and pump exhaust away from the trench
  • Public entering the work area
  • Falling from a ladder
Public, Children, WorkersHigh (12)
  • Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Isolate
  • Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for prams and wheelchairs. Isolate
  • Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Control (engineering)
  • Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Control (procedures)
  • Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower plant, remove ladders and lock tools away. Control (procedures)
  • Use a spotter when moving plant or materials across public paths. Control (procedures)
  • Use a podium step, mobile tower or MEWP for longer jobs instead of a straight ladder. Reduce / substitute
  • Use EN 131 professional ladders in good condition. Remove any damaged ladder from site. Control (engineering)
  • Set extension ladders at a 4 to 1 angle on firm, level ground, tied or footed, and reaching 1 metre above the landing. Control (engineering)
  • Use ladders only for short, light work (about 30 minutes in one spot). Do not carry heavy or awkward loads up a ladder. Control (procedures)
  • Keep three points of contact and your belt buckle between the stiles. Do not overreach. Control (procedures)
  • Do not work off the top three rungs of a leaning ladder. On a stepladder, do not stand on the top two steps (top three on swing-back or double-sided steps) unless there is a suitable handhold. Control (procedures)
  • Check the ladder before each use: feet, rungs, stiles and locks. Control (procedures)
  • Wear non-slip safety boots with clean soles. PPE
Medium (8)
8Inspect the trench at the start of each shift and after rain
  • Trench or excavation collapse
WorkersVery high (15)
  • Use methods that keep people out of the trench, such as directional boring or working from the surface. Eliminate
  • Barricade or cover the excavation so people and plant cannot fall in. Isolate
  • Support or batter back the sides of any excavation where collapse could happen. Use trench boxes or sheet piling for deeper trenches. Control (engineering)
  • Keep spoil, materials and plant at least 1 metre back from the edge. Control (engineering)
  • Provide a safe way in and out, such as a ladder near where people work. Control (engineering)
  • Inspect the excavation at the start of each shift and after rain or anything that could weaken it. Record it. Control (procedures)
  • Never work alone in a trench. Watch for water, cracks and bulging walls, and get out if you see them. Control (procedures)
  • Wear a hard hat, hi-vis and safety boots. PPE
Medium (5)
9Lay services, then backfill and compact in layers
  • Trench or excavation collapse
  • Hand-arm and whole-body vibration
  • Loud noise
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Workers, People nearbyVery high (15)
  • Trench or excavation collapse: see step 8 for the full controls Control (procedures)
  • Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Control (engineering)
  • Limit trigger time using the HSE vibration calculator to stay below the exposure action value, and rotate workers. Control (procedures)
  • Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Control (procedures)
  • Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Reduce / substitute
  • Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate
  • Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Control (engineering)
  • Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Control (procedures)
  • Assess noise. At 85 dB(A) or more, hearing protection is required and the zone must be marked. Control (procedures)
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 3 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (6)
10Reinstate the surface and clean up the road and footpath
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
  • Road traffic
Workers, Visitors, Road users, PublicVery high (15)
  • Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate
  • Put skips and waste chutes close to the work. Control (engineering)
  • Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Control (procedures)
  • Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Control (procedures)
  • Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Control (procedures)
  • Use a registered waste carrier and keep waste transfer notes for at least 2 years. Keep hazardous waste such as asbestos separate, with consignment notes (special waste in Scotland). Control (procedures)
  • Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE
  • Road traffic: see step 4 for the full controls Control (procedures)
Medium (5)

Method statement: sequence of work

  1. Get utility plans, then locate and mark services on the ground
  2. Check for overhead power lines and plan where the machine and spoil will go
  3. Pothole by hand or vacuum to expose marked services
  4. Set an exclusion zone and a spotter around the excavator
  5. Dig the trench, keeping spoil back from the edge
  6. Shore, bench or batter the trench before anyone goes in where the sides could collapse
  7. Barricade the trench and provide safe ladder access, pump out any water, and keep engine and pump exhaust away from the trench
  8. Inspect the trench at the start of each shift and after rain
  9. Lay services, then backfill and compact in layers
  10. Reinstate the surface and clean up the road and footpath

PPE

Safety bootsHi-vis vestSafety helmetSafety glassesEar defendersRigger gloves

Plant and equipment

Excavator (360): CPCS or NPORS excavator cardWacker plateHand toolsSite dumper: CPCS or NPORS forward tipping dumper card

Permits and plans

Permit to dig

Emergency

Call 999. Add the nearest A&E, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this RAMS.

Free RAMS template for trench excavation

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this RAMS

Pre-start checklist for trench excavation

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

The safe sequence of work

  1. Get utility plans, then locate and mark services on the ground
  2. Check for overhead power lines and plan where the machine and spoil will go
  3. Pothole by hand or vacuum to expose marked services
  4. Set an exclusion zone and a spotter around the excavator
  5. Dig the trench, keeping spoil back from the edge
  6. Shore, bench or batter the trench before anyone goes in where the sides could collapse
  7. Barricade the trench and provide safe ladder access, pump out any water, and keep engine and pump exhaust away from the trench
  8. Inspect the trench at the start of each shift and after rain
  9. Lay services, then backfill and compact in layers
  10. Reinstate the surface and clean up the road and footpath

Hazards to watch on trench excavation

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 4, 10Road trafficPassing cars and trucks hit workers or plant working on or next to a road.
Step 5, 6, 8, 9Trench or excavation collapseThe trench walls cave in and bury or crush a worker. Any excavation can collapse, however shallow. Sides must be supported or battered back wherever a collapse could hurt someone.
Step 2Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, MEWP, crane, tipper or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.
Step 1Gas and fuel linesDamaging or opening a gas or fuel line causes a leak, fire or explosion.
Step 9Hand-arm and whole-body vibrationLong periods on jackhammers, grinders, compactors or riding plant cause white finger, numbness and back damage.
Step 1, 3Hitting underground servicesDigging, drilling or driving pegs hits a buried power cable, gas pipe or water main, causing electrocution, explosion or flooding.
Very likelyLikelyPossibleUnlikelyVery unlikelyHow bad it could be: Negligible to FatalBA
Highest risk on trench excavation: Very high before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United Kingdom 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible and fatal becomes unlikely and major injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

  • Will anyone work at height, anywhere a fall could hurt them?
  • Will anyone work on a roof?
  • Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
  • Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?
  • Will you use a MEWP (scissor lift or cherry picker)?

Licences and legal requirements in United Kingdom

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

  • Excavator (360): CPCS or NPORS excavator card
  • Site dumper: CPCS or NPORS forward tipping dumper card

Employers must assess the risks of their work and record the significant findings (required where you employ 5 or more people). On CDM projects, contractors give their RAMS to the principal contractor before starting, and brief the workers on it.

Rules that apply: HSE HSG47 Avoiding danger from underground services; Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998; HSE GS6 Avoiding danger from overhead power lines; CDM Regulations 2015 and PUWER 1998; Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice (Red Book); CDM Regulations 2015, regulation 22 (excavations); CDM Regulations 2015; Work at Height Regulations 2005; Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005; Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

Why RAMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

  • The method statement is only a list of headings that repeats the risk table and never says how the work is done.
  • The method sequence does not match the risk assessment, for example the method strips the roof before the scaffold is handed over.
  • Residual risk is still High after controls with no extra measures or explanation.
  • It reads as copied: another firm, another address, or wording that does not fit UK sites. HSE warns that copying an example and adding your name does not satisfy the law.
  • Work on an older building with no reference to an asbestos survey.
  • Plant and access equipment listed with no inspection, thorough examination or competence evidence.
  • No briefing record, no revision history, or no named supervisor.

Questions

Do I need RAMS for trench excavation?

You must assess the risks of trench excavation and record the significant findings if you employ 5 or more people. On CDM sites the principal contractor will ask for RAMS before you start.

Who signs the RAMS?

The person who wrote it and the person who approved it sign and date it. Every worker signs the briefing register after it is explained to them, and the principal contractor reviews and accepts it before you start.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this RAMS, every revision and the signed briefing register with the site file for the length of the job, and keep a copy in your records afterwards.

What PPE is needed for trench excavation?

Usually Safety boots, Hi-vis vest, Safety helmet, Safety glasses, Ear defenders, Rigger gloves. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More excavation and earthworks RAMS

RAMSFoundation Excavation5 stepsRAMSSite Strip and Levelling6 stepsRAMSSwimming Pool Excavation8 stepsRAMSSurface Water Drainage Installation5 stepsRAMSPost Hole Digging5 stepsRAMSBackfill and Compaction5 steps

Related jobs in other trades

ScaffoldingScaffold ErectionAlso involves contact with overhead power linesDemolitionSoft StripAlso involves gas and fuel linesBricklayingBrickworkAlso involves being hit by mobile plantRoofingRe-RoofingAlso involves contact with overhead power linesElectricalConsumer Unit ReplacementAlso involves falling from a ladder

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkLadder SafetyToolbox talkOverhead Power LinesToolbox talkExtension Leads and Power ToolsToolbox talkHearing Protection and Noise

Blank RAMS template: free RAMS templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)

Sources