Monitor safety of excavations and trenches for utilities network construction

This Standard is about monitoring the safety of excavations and 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, reviewing risk assessments, carrying out monitoring visits, safety checking excavations and trenches, resolving problems and completing reports.

This Standard is for anyone who monitors the safety of excavations and trenches for utilities network construction in a single or multi-utility environment.

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1. make sure excavations and trenches are of the appropriate position and depth in compliance with work instructions and specifications
2. ensure excavation methods suitable for surface and sub-surface materials have been used 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 organisational procedures
4. ensure site-specific risk assessments specify work practices which provide adequate safeguards to deal with excavations becoming confined spaces.
5. monitor safety of excavations and trenches at appropriate intervals during network construction operations
6. carry out all safety checks within the area surrounding excavations and trenches in line with safety procedures
7. select and wear designated PPE when carrying out safety checks
8. confirm condition of excavations and ground area adjacent to excavations and trenches are safe in accordance with approved procedures and practices, statutory requirements and codes of practice
9. make sure appropriate support is correctly applied in excavations and trenches when required by safety standards
10. confirm signing, lighting and guarding provision is in place in compliance with statutory requirements
11. ensure excavation and reinstatement work is carried out to approved procedures and practices and in compliance with statutory requirements
12. ensure processes are in place to deal with dangerous situations as they arise in accordance with relevant codes of practice and safe working procedures
13. make sure safety reporting systems are in place and operatives are informed of them in line with organisational procedures
14. resolve day-to-day problems within your responsibility in line with approved procedures and practices
15. report detrimental conditions, defects or damage to excavations or supply apparatus which are outside your responsibility to appropriate people
16. check any circumstances where information appears incorrect with appropriate people
17. record and store data and information in organisational information systems in line with organisational processes

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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, emergencies and lone working
2. the main methods of excavation including hand dig and machine and the safety risks of incorrect excavation practices
3. types of surfaces and sub-surfaces including flexible, composite, rigid and modular pavement construction, verge and natural ground
4. the types of sub-surface materials used for the different paving surfaces
5. how to identify different types of supplies encountered in excavation work.
6. the supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies including above and below ground services and built structures
7. 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
8. the range of signing, lighting and guarding equipment and the function of each
9. procedures for reporting and recording job progress, problems, deviations to work programmes
10. your responsibilities and the steps you should take to deal with dangerous situations in excavations and trenches including deep excavations, poor atmosphere, contamination, instability and damaged utilities
11. safety reporting systems and ways to ensure operatives know who to report to and when
12. how to recognise situations that are, or could become, a confined space and how to deal with them effectively
13. circumstances where excavation support must be installed including those relating to depth, soil type or where subsidence is likely
14. materials, methods and principles for excavation support systems including those using timber, metal sheet, proprietary systems or mechanical systems
15. how to monitor and maintain the condition of support mechanisms
16. causes of instability in excavated areas, including soil types, presence of ground water, leaks from water and drainage pipework
17. situations where excavation pumping systems may have to be used
18. the environmental considerations for disposing of trench water
19. hazards that could arise from leaks, damaged supply apparatus, damaged electrical apparatus or from working without natural or assisted ventilation

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1

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2027

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Current

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Original

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Energy & Utility Skills

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MUNC5

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Water Network Construction, Gas Network Construction, Multi Utility Network Construction

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8159

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utility, utilities, network, construction, water, gas, operations, gas, LPG, hydrogen, water, multi-utility, trench, excavation, safety

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