Management of excavation, trenching and penetration risks Risk assessment A risk assessment must be completed in accordance with the WHS Hazard Identification and Risk Management Procedure () by any workers undertaking a work activity that involves excavations or trenching, for driving an object into the ground or for work activities where penetrations are made through walls, ceilings or floors. The following steps must be implemented to manage the risks associated with these activities: STEP 1 – Hazard identification Identify excavation, trenching or penetration activities and assess the location where they will be undertaken. STEP 2 – Risk assessment: inherent risk Assess the inherent risks associated with the work location and activity. STEP 3 – Control risks Identify and implement risk control measures. STEP 4 – Risk assessment with control measures: residual risk Assess the residual risks associated with these hazards following the implementation of the risk control measures. STEP 5 – Monitor and review control measures Review risk control measures to ensure they are working as planned. When undertaking the risk assessment, the following must be considered: all potential hazards (to workers, the public, assets, the environment etc.) the frequency and duration of workers’ exposure to the hazard the consequence of the hazard environmental conditions which may influence the work activity (i.e. wind, rain, temperature, etc.) legislative requirements hierarchy of controls that can eliminate or mitigate the hazard recommended or standard practices applied to similar circumstances at other Seqwater workplaces practicability of the available risk controls. Hierarchy of controls for managing risks The hierarchy of controls must be used to identify the most appropriate risk control measure to manage the risks associated with excavation, trenching or penetrations. The identification and selection of risk control measures must be undertaken in consultation with workers.
References Legislation and other requirements Description Status Location AS 2700 Colour Standard for general purposes Active Excavation Work Code of Practice 2013 (Qld) Active AS 1345-1995 Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts Active Queensland State Archives General Retention and Disposal Schedule for Administrative Records Active AS/NZS 2648.1:1995 Underground Marking Tape – Non-detectable tape Active Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) Active Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) Active Supporting procedures Description Status Location Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Compliance Manual Active QPulse Corporate Safety – WHS Management System Framework Active QPulse Integration Management System Internal Audit Procedure Active QPulse WHS Asbestos Management Procedure Active QPulse WHS Confined Space Management Procedure Active QPulse WHS Contractor Management Procedure Active QPulse WHS Electrical Safety Procedure Active QPulse WHS Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure Active QPulse WHS General Construction Procedure Active QPulse WHS Hazard Identification and Risk Management Procedure Active QPulse WHS Incident Notification Procedure Active QPulse WHS Incident Investigation Procedure Active QPulse WHS Personal Protective Equipment Active QPulse