Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00416:reg:2:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00416
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 2/3)
Character Range: 16465–19396

what sources and processes are causing that risk
    * identify if and what kind of control measures should be implemented, and
    * check the effectiveness of existing control measures.

When assessing the risks associated with excavation work you should consider things such as:
    * local site conditions including access, ground slope, adjacent buildings and structures, water courses (including underground) and trees
    * depth of the excavation
    * soil properties including variable soil types, stability, shear strength, cohesion, presence of ground water, effect of exposure to the elements
    * fractures or faults in rocks including joints, bedding planes, dip and strike directions and angles, clay seams
    * any specialised plant or work methods required (e.g. ground support)
    * the method(s) of transport, haul routes and disposal
    * what exposures might occur, such as to noise, ultra violet rays or hazardous chemicals
    * the number of people involved
    * the possibility of unauthorised access to the work area
    * local weather conditions, and
    * the length of time that the excavation will be open.

2.3              Controlling the risks

The hierarchy of control measures
Some control measures are more effective than others. Control measures can be ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of control.
You must always aim to eliminate a hazard, which is the most effective control. If this is not reasonably practicable, you must minimise the risk by one or a combination of the following:
    * Substitution – for example using an excavator with a rock breaker rather than manual method
    * Isolation – for example using concrete barriers to separate pedestrians and powered mobile plant to reduce the risk of collision, and
    * Engineering Controls – for example benching, battering or shoring the sides of the excavation to reduce the risk of ground collapse.
If risk remains, it must be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable, for example by installing warning signs near the excavation.
Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as providing workers with hard hats, hearing protectors and high visibility vests.
Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision and used on their own tend to be the least effective in minimising risks.
Factors that should be considered when choosing suitable control measures include:
    * excavating plant - when quantities are large, it may be effective to use different types of plant for the various materials to be excavated
    * stockpiling arrangements - another site may need to be found for temporary stockpiling of materials
    * material placement - the methods and plant used for excavating, transporting and compacting the