Excavate and maintain holes and trenches for utilities network construction

Overview

This Standard is about excavating and maintaining holes or trenches for utilities network construction.    It could apply to Network construction operations for a single utility or in a multi-utility environment.

It involves interpreting instructions, planning, organising and adopting safe working practices while preparing and carrying out the excavation of holes and trenches in ground and pavement structures, taking care of utility services and other sub-structures, providing entry and exit arrangements and providing structural support when required.

 This Standard is for anyone who excavates and maintains holes or trenches for utilities network construction.

 

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. use information in work instructions and specification to determine the work site and area to be excavated
  2. determine excavation methods suitable for surface and sub-surface materials being removed in line with statutory and regulatory Codes of Practice
  3. carry out and review site-specific risk assessments at appropriate times and in accordance with company procedures
  4. ensure site-specific risk assessments provide adequate safeguards in work practices to deal with excavations becoming confined spaces.
  5. select and wear designated PPE at appropriate times
  6. select and use suitable tools and equipment for excavation methods
  7. carry out excavations of a position and size that concurs with instructions and work specifications
  8. carry out all safety checks before entry into excavations
  9. confirm condition of ground area adjacent to excavations is safe in accordance with relevant Codes of Practice
  10. excavate, identify, select, segregate, remove and store materials in accordance with work instructions and Codes of Practice
  11. carry out excavations in a manner that avoids damage to supply apparatus
  12. minimise damage to the natural environment in accordance with technical guidance
  13. remove surplus materials in accordance with work instructions
  14. confirm condition of excavations in line with approved procedures and practices and statutory requirements, providing trench support when appropriate
  15. ensure work is carried out to approved procedures and practices and in compliance with statutory requirements
  16. maintain the condition of excavations in line with safety standards
  17. take steps to resolve situations that require measures to deal with dangerous atmospheres in accordance with relevant Codes of Practice and safe working procedures
  18. establish arrangements for access to, and egress from, excavations in accordance with statutory requirements and approved procedures and practices
  19. resolve day-to-day problems within your responsibility in line with approved procedures and practices
  20. report detrimental conditions, defects or damage to excavations or supply apparatus which are outside your responsibility to appropriate people
  21. check any circumstances where information appears incorrectwith appropriate people
  22. use organisational information systems to record and store data and information

Knowledge & Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. statutory requirements, industry and organisational procedures and practices for excavation work including health and safety, personal protection, environmental, supply apparatus, excavation and support equipment, hazardous materials, accidents and lone working
  2. the main methods of excavation including hand dig and machine and the safety risks of incorrect excavation practices
  3. how to use hand tools, power tools and motorised equipment for excavation including the use of a competent banksman when excavating by machine
  4. types of surfaces and sub-surfaces including flexible, composite, rigid and modular pavement construction, verge and natural ground
  5. the types of sub-surface materials used for the different paving surfaces
  6. how to identify different types of supplies encountered in excavation work.
  7. the supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies, above and below ground services, built structures, and the natural environment including foundations, tree roots, natural watercourses
  8. how use of incorrect materials or failure to provide proper support could lead to damage to supply apparatus or sub-structures and major safety hazards
  9. how your work can impact on costs and schedule
  10. how to store and dispose of materials and the consequences of incorrect storage, including those with a potential environmental hazard
  11. procedures for reporting and recording job progress, problems, deviations to work programmes
  12. who to report to and when
  13. how to recognise situations that are, or could become, a confined space and how to deal with them effectively
  14. circumstances where excavation support must be installed
  15. materials, methods and principles for excavation support systems for different excavation depths or soil types or where subsidence is likely, including timber, metal sheet, mechanical systems
  16. how to monitor and maintain the condition of support mechanisms
  17. causes of instability in excavated areas, including soil types, presence of ground water, leaks from water and drainage pipework
  18. situations where excavation pumping systems may have to be used
  19. the environmental considerations for disposing of trench water
  20. hazards that could arise from working in excavations without natural or assisted ventilation, from leaks or damaged supply apparatus or with damage to electrical apparatus