Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00416:reg:3:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00416
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 1/5)
Character Range: 20772–23836

3          PLANNING THE EXCAVATION WORK

Excavation work should be carefully planned before work starts so it can be carried out safely.  Planning involves identifying the hazards, assessing the risks and determining appropriate control measures in consultation with all relevant persons involved in the work including the principal contractor, excavation contractor, designers and mobile plant operators. Structural or geotechnical engineers may also need to be consulted at this stage.
Consultation should include discussions on the:
    * nature and/or condition of the ground and/or working environment
    * weather conditions
    * nature of the work and other activities that may affect health and safety
    * static and dynamic loads near the excavation
    * interaction with other trades
    * site access
    * SWMS
    * management of surrounding vehicular traffic and ground vibration
    * type of equipment used for excavation work
    * public safety
    * existing services and their location
    * the length of time the excavation is to remain open
    * provision of adequate facilities, and
    * procedures to deal with emergencies.
Further information on amenities and emergencies is available in the Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities.

3.1              Principal contractor
Where the value of construction work is $250 000 or more, the construction work is considered a 'construction project' for which additional duties apply to the principal contractor. There can only be one principal contractor for a construction project and this will be either the person commissioning the construction work or a person appointed as the principal contractor by the person commissioning the construction work.
The principal contractor has a range of duties in relation to a construction project including:
    * preparing and reviewing a WHS management plan
    * obtaining SWMS before any high risk construction work commences
    * putting in place arrangements to manage the work environment including falls, facilities, first aid, an emergency plan and traffic management
    * installing signs showing the principal contactor's name, contact details and location of any site office, and
    * securing the construction workplace.
Where significant excavation work is being carried out and building works have not commenced the person who commissions the construction work may appoint the excavation contractor as the principal contractor for the site preparation phase of the project and then replace them with a building expert after this phase is completed. If the excavation contractor is appointed as the principal contractor the contractor must comply with all principal contractor duties while undertaking this role.

For further guidance on how to calculate the cost of construction work and on principal contractor duties refer to the Code of Practice: Construction work.

3.2              Designers

Section 22 Designers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the structure is designed to be