Excavation and groundworks, UK wide
Groundworks Health and Safety
Groundworks set the foundation for every construction project and they carry some of the most serious risks on site. AL23 Safety helps groundworks contractors and site teams across the UK manage excavation, plant and buried-services hazards properly, keeping people safe and keeping work moving.
Why it matters in groundworks
The risks are real and so are the duties
Excavation looks routine but it kills people. Trench collapses, strikes on buried services and being struck by plant are real and recurring causes of serious harm.
Because groundworks fall under construction law, the duties are significant and a single avoidable incident can stop a whole project. Getting the controls right from the start protects your team and your programme.
The main risks
Where the harm comes from
The hazards that cause the most serious harm in this sector and the ones we focus on first.
Excavation collapse
Unsupported trenches and excavations giving way.
Buried services
Striking underground gas, electricity, water or telecoms.
Moving plant
Excavators, dumpers and being caught in the slew or reversing zone.
Falls into excavations
For workers, the public and vehicles.
Dust and confined spaces
Silica dust and entry into pits, shafts and chambers.
The regulations that apply
Your legal framework, in plain terms
Groundworks sit under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Excavation and services work is guided by HSE guidance such as HSG47 on avoiding danger from underground services and you will also engage the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 and COSHH 2002 for dust.
Key duties commonly engaged:
- CDM 2015
- HSWA 1974
- HSG47
- Confined Spaces 1997
- COSHH 2002
How we help
Built around your operation
We provide risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) for excavation and groundworks, CDM support, safety audits and accident investigation. We help you build safe digging, support and services-avoidance into the sequence of work rather than bolting it on afterwards.
Why AL23 Safety
Sector-aware support that gets used
Risk-focused
We concentrate on the hazards that actually cause serious harm in groundworks.
Tender ready
RAMS that satisfy principal contractors before you start.
Practical
Controls built into the method, not just listed.
Nationwide
We support groundworks contractors across the UK.
Get in touch
Keep your groundworks safe from the first dig
Get in touch to discuss your groundworks health and safety needs.
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