Excavations inspection reports

The duty to inspect and prepare a report only applies to excavations which need to be supported to prevent accidental fall of material. Only persons with a recognized and relevant competence should carry out the inspection and write the report. Inspections should take place at the following timing and frequency ... 

Although an inspection must be made at the start of every shift, only one report is required of such inspections every seven days. However, reports must be completed following all other inspections. The report should be completed before the end of the relevant working period and a copy given to the manager responsible for the excavation within 24 hours. The report must be kept on site until the work is completed and then retained for three months at an office of the organization which carried out the work. If the report states that the excavation is unsafe, work must stop. 

The duties to inspect and prepare a report appiy oniy to any excavation which needs to be supported to prevent any person being trapped or buried by an accidentai coiiapse, faii or disiodgement of materiai from its sides, roof or area adjacent to it. Aithough an excavation must be inspected at the start of every shift, oniy one report of such inspections is required every 7 days. Reports must be compieted for aii inspections carried out during this period for other purposes, e.g. after accidentai faii of materiai. 

Where the place of work is part of an excavation, cofferdam or caisson, make sure it is inspected before work and at subsequent specified intervals, by a competent person, who must be satisfied that the work can be carried out safely Reports of inspections must be produced by the competent person before the end of the working period and provided to the person responsible for the equipment within 24 hours. Schedule 8 has the particulars to be included in the report. 

A report of the inspection containing the prescribed particulars (no form or official register is necessary) shall be made within 24 hours of the inspection and retained xmtil 3 months after the work has been completed. Only one report needs to be made every 7 days in respect of item (a) above for excavations and items (a) and (b) for coffer-dams and caissons. Reports of inspections following the other incidents listed above must be made before the end of the working period. 

Another inspection was carried out on January 15, 1997 using a different inspection technique. A sharp defect was reported near the eventual failure site. However, the ground was too wet to allow excavation and it was agreed to excavate later when it was drier. No subsequent excavation took place. 

For excavations, cofferdams and caissons, an inspection is required at the start of every shift, but a report is needed only every 7 days. 

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