Digging footings and trenches is a very high-risk construction activity.
- Live services can be damaged
- Electricity cables can cause fatalities if struck
- Toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide can build up and cause fatalities
A trench collapse only 1.5mts deep can crush a person causing the person to stop breathing resulting in fatality.
This type of work should only ever be carried out by experienced competent persons.
The Health and Safety Executive will not hesitate to act if Companies carry out excavations without safe processes in place and the penalties can be extremely severe for those working unsafely.
Click on the risk assessment below to look at controls required when excavation work is being carried out.