RAMS for Groundworks & Excavation
Excavation collapse, underground services, confined spaces, and temporary works design — all covered.
Excavation collapse risks
Excavation work is one of the most dangerous activities in construction. A cubic metre of soil weighs over a tonne — a collapsing trench wall can kill in seconds. Proper planning, temporary support design, and thorough RAMS are essential for every excavation project.
Underground services
Striking underground services during excavation can cause electrocution, gas explosions, flooding, or loss of essential services to nearby properties. Before any digging begins, you must obtain service plans, use cable avoidance tools (CAT scanners), and hand-dig trial holes near known services.
Confined spaces
Deep excavations, manholes, and chambers are confined spaces under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. Entry must be planned, a safe system of work established, and emergency rescue procedures in place before anyone enters.
Temporary works design
Under CDM 2015, temporary works — such as trench support, shoring, sheet piling, and formwork — must be designed, installed, and maintained by competent people. A temporary works coordinator should be appointed, and all temporary works must be inspected before use and regularly thereafter.
Common hazards
- Excavation collapse — trench collapses can be fatal within seconds
- Striking underground services (gas, electric, water, telecoms)
- Confined space entry in deep excavations
- Water ingress and unstable ground conditions
- Vehicle and plant movements near excavations
- Manual handling of heavy materials and formwork
- Noise and vibration from plant and machinery
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need RAMS for excavation work?
- Yes. Excavation work is one of the most dangerous activities in construction. Trench collapses can be fatal within seconds. RAMS are essential for identifying risks such as ground conditions, proximity to underground services, water ingress, and the need for temporary support. Most clients and principal contractors will require RAMS before any excavation begins.
- What depth requires shoring?
- There is no specific depth at which shoring becomes legally required — the need for support depends on the ground conditions, the depth and width of the excavation, nearby structures, and the duration of the work. However, as a general rule, any excavation deeper than 1.2 metres should be assessed for the need for temporary support. In poor ground conditions, shoring may be needed at much shallower depths.
- How do I check for underground services?
- Before any excavation, you must check for underground services. Start by requesting plans from utility companies or using a service such as Linesearch beforeUdig (LSBUD). On site, use cable avoidance tools (CAT) and signal generators to locate buried services. Hand-dig trial holes in the vicinity of known services. Never assume an area is clear without checking.
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