Excavation Inspection Checklist: What to Record Before Work Continues (UK)

HSE says a competent person should inspect at the start of each shift. Inspect again after heavy rain, flooding, nearby vibration, movement of plant, damage to support or another event that could affect strength or stability, and after rock, earth or other material falls into the excavation. Before entry after dewatering or when a new section is opened, reassess the conditions. The person needs the knowledge, training and experience to recognise the hazards in that excavation.

Use the fields below as a starting point for a written report. Under CDM 2015 Regulation 24, where the inspector is not satisfied, the person who requested the inspection must be told before the end of that shift; the report must include the matters and actions, and be provided within 24 hours. Keep it available at the site until construction finishes and then for three months. Regulation 24 does not require more than one report for repeated start-of-shift inspections in a seven-day period. This does not reduce how often you inspect or allow you to delay action on a defect. HSE guidance recommends reports following most inspections, including after events affecting stability or material falls. You can keep a record after every check to make handovers clearer.

Identification

• ☐ Project and site address.
• ☐ Name and address of the person or organisation the inspection was carried out for.
• ☐ Exact location, excavation reference and short description.
• ☐ Date, time, shift and relevant weather or ground conditions.
• ☐ Name, role and signature or secure confirmation of the person making the report.
• ☐ RAMS, drawing, temporary works design or permit reference.

Findings

• ☐ Ground condition and signs of movement or collapse.
• ☐ Shoring, trench box, battering or benching condition.
• ☐ Edge protection, barriers, covers, spoil and plant positions.
• ☐ Access, egress, water control and atmosphere concern.
• ☐ Underground services, exposed services and safe-digging controls.
• ☐ Other people, work activities or changes that could affect the excavation.

Actions and close-out

• ☐ Describe each matter that could create a risk and its location.
• ☐ State the immediate action: stop work, withdraw people, isolate plant, barrier the area, remove a load or obtain advice.
• ☐ Name the corrective-action owner and completion point.
• ☐ Record further action, such as a revised RAMS, temporary works review or re-brief.
• ☐ Record re-inspection date/time, the person confirming the fix and the decision: continue only once safe, or remain stopped.

Avoid “passed” as the only result. Record the defect, action and re-check, for example: “loose spoil on north edge; access stopped; spoil removed; rechecked 10:35”.

The Site Book helps UK contractors keep project RAMS, permits, site diary entries and incident records organised in one place. Pro includes permits, a site diary and document quality checking. Review output against the actual ground, services, support and supervision arrangements, and use a competent person for the inspection. Create a free job pack to start with the RAMS and site paperwork for one real job.

Keep the current inspection, any report, the relevant permit and the current RAMS together so the next shift can see what changed and what remains stopped.