Permit to work - excavation

Carrying out excavation work is potentially dangerous. So to avoid or sufficiently reduce the risks to an acceptable level, use our permit to help you plan the work before it starts.

Excavation work

The main dangers of excavating are the potential for the sides of the trench to collapse and the possibility of disturbing underground services, such as gas or electricity. But there are other hazards which may arise including objects or vehicles falling into the excavation, members of the public tripping up and contaminated soil. In order to avoid or reduce these risks, use our Permit to Work - Excavation.

Whilst there’s no legal requirement to use such a permit, it’s a common approach to control a very hazardous activity. Using it will help you comply with various legal duties including those in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

How to use it?

The idea is that a client representative or a main contractor uses the permit to formally authorise a proposed method of work. You can systematically check that the right equipment is present, staff are trained and the correct procedures are implemented. The form also highlights specific rules which must be followed.

It’s divided into different parts for each stage of the handover and handback in order to ensure that each party takes on the appropriate responsibilities.