Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and working Conditions) Act, 1996

Ref: Http://Labour.Nic.In/Dglw/Building_Works.Html

There are about 8.5 million building and other construction workers in India as per the estimates of National Sample Survey (198788). These workers are one of the most numerous and vulnerable segments of the unorganised sector in India. The building and other construction works are characterised by their inherent risk to the life and limb of the workers. The work is also characterised by its casual nature, temporary relationship between employer and employee, uncertain working hours, lack of basic amenities and inadequacy of welfare facilities. Although the provisions of various Labour Laws i.e., Minimum Wages Act 1948, Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act1970 and Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Services) Act 1979 etc., are applicable to the building and other construction workers, a need was felt for a comprehensive Central Legislation for this category of workers. Towards the above goal the following two enactments have come on the Statute Book w.e.f. 20.8.96, initially brought in as ordinances on 3.11.95 1. The Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act,1996; and 2.The Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 .

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The above law aims to provide for regulation of employment & conditions of service of the building and other construction workers as also their safety, health and welfare measures in every establishment which employs or employed during the preceding year ten or more workers. The exception made is only in respect of residential houses for own purpose constructed with a cost not exceeding Rs. 10 lakh and such other activities to which the provisions of Factories Act, 1948 and Mines Act, 1952 apply. Some of the other main provisions of the Main Act are given below:

1. Provision for an Advisory Committee at the Central and the State levels with the function to advise the Governments concerned on such matters arising out of the administration of the Act as may be referred to it. 2. Provision for registration of each establishment within a period of sixty days from the commencement of work to ensure that there are no malpractices and to discourage non-compliance of law by circumventing. 3. Provision for registration of building workers as beneficiaries under this Act. 4. Provision for constitution a Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board by every State Government to exercise the powers conferred on, and perform the functions assigned to it, under the Act. 5. Provision for immediate assistance in case of accidents, old age pension, loans for construction of house, premia for group insurance, financial assistance for education, to meet medical expenses, maternity benefits etc. 6. Provision for health and safety measures for the construction workers in conformity with ILO convention No.167 concerning safety and health in construction revising the Safety Provisions (Building) Convention, 1937. For this purpose comprehensive Central Rules i.e. Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Service and Conditions of Service) Central Rules, 1998 have been notified by the Central Government. 7. Provision for constitution of safety committees in every establishment employing 500 or more workers with equal representation from workers and employers in addition to appointment of safety officers qualified in the field. 8. Provision for Penalties of fine and imprisonment for violation and contravention of the Act

FUNDING
To raise the Funds for provision of various welfare measures, the Main Act provides for constitution of Welfare Boards. The major source of the Funds shall be collection of cess at rates not exceeding 2% of the cost of construction incurred by an employer. The collection of funds and administration of the Welfare Boards would be the responsibility of concerned State Governments.

GOVERNMENT POLICY
Governments policy is to ensure that the intended benefits and advantages reach the construction workers at the earliest and in full measure. The difficulties experienced in implementation of these Act(s) will become more evident once the implementation of various provisions of the Act(s) and Rules by the Central as well as State Governments pick up momentum. Based on the experience gained by way of implementation of the Act(s) and Rules, corrective steps, if any, will be taken to make them more responsive to the welfare needs of the construction workers.

ENFORCEMENT

The Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 . ( 28 of 1996 )
An Act is provide for the levy and collection of a cess on the cost of construction incurred by employers with a view to augmenting the resources of the Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards constituted under the Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act,1996. It extends to the whole of India and come in to force on the 3rd day of November, 1995. Under the Act 1% cess shall be collected from every employer where the cost of construction is more than Rs. 10 lakhs. The proceeds of the cess so collected shall be paid by the local authority or the State Government collecting the cess to the Board after deducting the cost of collection of such cess not exceeding 1% 0f the amount collected. Further, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any employer or class of employers in a State from the payment of cess payable under this Act where such cess is already levied and payable under any corresponding law in force in that State. Responsibility for enforcement of the Act primarily lies with the State Governments/UTs.

Safety Rules & Regulations Safety topics

Ref: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/buildings.htm

Site organisation - Everything you need to know about organising a safe and healthy construction site. Slips, trips and falls - Assess, eliminate and control the risks of slips, trips and falls on construction sites. Work at height - The hierarchy of controls for working at height, from working at ground level, using towers, scaffolds, platforms and ladders and, as a last resort, fall restraints and safety netting. Structural stability - Assess the risks and prevent unintentional structural collapse during alterations, demolition and dismantling; and the measures you need to take to prevent accidents in excavations. Cranes - All lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person; appropriately supervised; and carried out in a safe manner. Electricity - Work safely with power supplies and electrical equipment; map overhead power lines and underground cables to prevent accidental contact with machinery. Fire - Identify the risks of fire; control combustible materials and ignition sources; and make it clear exactly what to do if fire does break out. Mobile plant and vehicles - Assess the risks, establish competence to operate and control access to telehandlers, excavators, mobile work platforms, dumpers and road vehicles. Demolition - All demolition, dismantling and structural alteration should be carefully planned and carried out by competent practitioners.

Site organisation Everything you need to know about organising a safe and healthy construction site: Traffic management - Ensures that moving vehicles do not present a hazard to people working on, or visiting, the site. Protecting the public - Details the specific measures for protecting members of the public on site and preventing access by unauthorised people, including children. Materials storage and waste management - Guidance on storing materials safely to prevent hazards and make sure that waste is removed and disposed of safely.

Welfare - How to meet your legal requirements for welfare facilities on construction sites, for example providing toilet and washing facilities, drinking water, rest areas, changing rooms and lockers. Administration - The paperwork you need to manage the site legally and safely.

Traffic management on site What you need to do Important statistic On average, each year, about 7 workers die as a result of accidents involving vehicles or mobile plant on construction sites. A further 93 are seriously injured. The law says that you must organise a construction site so that vehicles and pedestrians using site routes can move around safely. The routes need to be suitable for the persons or vehicles using them, in suitable positions and sufficient in number and size. The term vehicles includes: cars, vans, lorries, low-loaders and mobile plant such as excavators, lift trucks and site dumpers etc. The key message is: construction site vehicle incidents can and should be prevented by the effective management of transport operations throughout the construction process. Key issues in dealing with traffic management on site are:

Keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart Minimising vehicle movements People on site Turning vehicles Visibility Signs and instructions

What you need to know Each year within the construction industry, approximately ten people die as a result of being struck by vehicles on site. In addition, there are hundreds of preventable accidents and injuries. Accidents occur from groundworks to finishing works and managers, workers, visitors to sites and members of the public can all be at risk.

Inadequate planning and control is the root cause of many construction vehicle accidents. Keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart The majority of construction transport accidents result from the inadequate separation of pedestrians and vehicles. This can usually be avoided by careful planning, particularly at the design stage, and by controlling vehicle operations during construction work. The following actions will help keep pedestrians and vehicles apart: Entrances and exits - provide separate entry and exit gateways for pedestrians and vehicles; Walkways - provide firm, level, well-drained pedestrian walkways that take a direct route where possible; Crossings - where walkways cross roadways, provide a clearly signed and lit crossing point where drivers and pedestrians can see each other clearly; Visibility - make sure drivers driving out onto public roads can see both ways along the footway before they move on to it; Obstructions do not block walkways so that pedestrians have to step onto the vehicle route; and Barriers - think about installing a barrier between the roadway and walkway.

Minimising vehicle movements Good planning can help to minimise vehicle movement around a site. For example, landscaping to reduce the quantities of fill or spoil movement. To limit the number of vehicles on site: provide car and van parking for the workforce and visitors away from the work area; control entry to the work area; and plan storage areas so that delivery vehicles do not have to cross the site.

People on site Employers should take steps to make sure that all workers are fit and competent to operate the vehicles, machines and attachments they use on site by, for example:

checks when recruiting drivers/operators or hiring contractors; training drivers and operators; managing the activities of visiting drivers.

People who direct vehicle movements (signallers) must be trained and authorised to do so. Accidents can also occur when untrained or inexperienced workers drive construction vehicles without authority. Access to vehicles should be managed and people alerted to the risk. Turning vehicles The need for vehicles to reverse should be avoided where possible as reversing is a major cause of fatal accidents. One-way systems can reduce the risk, especially in storage areas. A turning circle could be installed so that vehicles can turn without reversing. Visibility If vehicles reverse in areas where pedestrians cannot be excluded the risk is elevated and visibility becomes a vital consideration. You should consider: Aids for drivers - mirrors, CCTV cameras or reversing alarms that can help drivers can see movement all round the vehicle; Signallers - who can be appointed to control manoeuvres and who are trained in the task; Lighting - so that drivers and pedestrians on shared routes can see each other easily. Lighting may be needed after sunset or in bad weather; Clothing - pedestrians on site should wear high-visibility clothing.

Signs and instructions Make sure that all drivers and pedestrians know and understand the routes and traffic rules on site. Use standard road signs where appropriate Provide induction training for drivers, workers and visitors and send instructions out to visitors before their visit. Protecting the public What you need to do

The law says you must conduct your business without putting members of the public at risk. This includes the public and other workers who may be affected by your work. The project client or co-ordinator should provide information about:

boundaries adjacent land usage access; and measures to exclude unauthorized persons

This will influence the measures contractors take. Key issues are:

Managing site access Hazards causing risk to the public Vulnerable groups

What you need to know All construction sites require:

Measures to manage access through defined boundaries; and Steps to exclude unauthorised people.

While the numbers of children being killed or injured on construction sites has reduced, there is no room for complacency. Each year, two or three children die after gaining access to building sites, and many more are injured. Other members of the public are seriously injured by:

Materials or tools falling outside the site boundary. Falling into trenches; or Being struck by moving plant and vehicles.

The clients pre-construction information should include:

project boundaries; adjacent land use; access; and measures to exclude unauthorised people.

Managing site access

Site boundaries: You need to define boundaries physically, where necessary, by suitable fencing. The type of fencing should reflect the nature of the site and its surroundings. Determining the boundary is an important aspect of managing public risk. You need to:

planning what form the perimeter will take; providing the fencing; and maintaining the fencing.

Questions you need to ask yourself include: What is the nature and type of the construction work? How heavily populated is the area is? Who will need to visit the site during the work? Will the site attract children? What are the site characteristics (e.g. existing site boundaries, location, proximity to other buildings).

Typically, in populated areas, this will mean a two-metre high small mesh fence or hoarding around the site. Authorisation: The principal contractor must take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised people accessing the site. People may be authorised to access the whole site or be restricted to certain areas; You must explain relevant site rules to authorised people and do any necessary site induction; You may need to supervise or accompany some authorised visitors may need while they are on site or visiting specific areas.

Hazards causing risk to the public Many hazards have the potential to injure members of the public and visitors. Consider if they exist on your project and how you will manage them. Falling objects - You must make sure objects cannot fall outside the site boundary. On scaffolds you can achieve this using toe-boards, brick guards and netting. You may also need fans and/or covered walkways.

Delivery and other site vehicles - Make sure pedestrians cannot be struck by vehicles entering or leaving the site. Obstructing the pavement during deliveries may force pedestrians into the road, where they can be struck by other vehicles. Scaffolding and other access equipment - Prevent people outside the boundary being struck while they are erecting, dismantling and using scaffolding and other access equipment. Storing and stacking materials - You can reduce the risks associated with the storage of materials by storing materials within the site perimeter, preferably in secure compounds or away from the perimeter fencing. Openings and excavations - People can be injured if they fall into excavations, manholes, stairwells or from open floor edges. Youll need to put up barriers or covers. Other hazards include

slips, trips and falls within pedestrian areas; plant machinery and equipment; hazardous substances; electricity and other energy sources; dust, noise and vibration; and road works.

Vulnerable groups The elderly, children and people with certain disabilities may need special attention. Work in premises such as schools and hospitals needs careful thought and planning. Some children are drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play. You must do everything you can to keep them out of the site and away from danger. The following specific steps are particularly relevant to child safety: Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day. Barrier off or cover over excavations and pits. Isolate and immobilise vehicles and plant and if possible lock them in a compound. Store building materials (such as pipes, manhole rings, and cement bags) so that they cannot topple or roll over. Remove access ladders from excavations and scaffolds. Lock away hazardous substances.

Materials storage and waste management What you need to do The law says you must keep every part of your construction site in good order and every place of work clean. The objective is to achieve what is usually called a good standard of housekeeping across the site. In addition, all contractors must plan, manage and monitor their work so it is carried safely and without risks to health. This includes careful planning on how the site will be kept tidy and housekeeping actively managed. The standard of housekeeping you achieve on site will be afffected by how effective you are at:

Materials storage Waste management

What you need to know Each year around 1000 trips or slips on construction sites involve someone fracturing bones or dislocating joints. These incidents can cause permanent disablement and have a huge impact on both work and personal life. Many of are caused simply because there is something in the persons way, such as building materials or waste. Remember: sensible management of materials can reduce waste, reduce cost whilst improving site safety and helping to protect the environment.

Materials storage Safe and efficient materials storage depends on good co-operation and coordination between everyone involved including, client, contractors, suppliers and the construction trades. On all projects the arrangements for materials storage should be discussed and agreed between contractors and the project client. Larger notifiable projects should have arrangements for materials storage included in the Construction phase plan. Top tips for materials storage on smaller projects: Storage areas - designate storage areas for plant, materials, waste, flammable substances e.g. foam plastics, flammable liquids and gases such as propane and hazardous substances e.g. pesticides and timber treatment chemicals;

Pedestrian routes do not allow storage to spread in an uncontrolled manner on to footpaths and other walkways. Do not store materials where they obstruct access routes or where they could interfere with emergency escape; Flammable materials - will usually need to be stored away from other materials and protected from accidental ignition; Storage at height - if materials are stored at height e.g. on top of a container, make sure necessary guard rails are in place if people could fall when stacking or collecting materials or equipment; Tidyness - keep all storage areas tidy, whether in the main compound or on the site itself; and Deliveries - plan deliveries to keep the amount of materials on site to a minimum.

Waste management There is other legislation governing the proper disposal of waste, ranging from low risk waste through to hazardous waste . These laws are enforced by the Environment Agency and Local Authorities. However, all waste produced can also present a real safety hazard to workers on site if it is not properly managed throughout the project. You need to decide at an early stage: How - wastes streams produced during building work will be managed in a timely and effective way; and Who - is responsible for collecting and disposal of specific wastes produced on site. Problems often arise when company and individual duties are not made clear before work starts.

Top tips for waste management on smaller projects: Flammable materials - make sure that all flammable waste materials (such as packaging and timber offcuts) are cleared away regularly to reduce fire risks; Work areas - make clearing waste a priority for all trades. Check that everyone is aware of what is required that it is being done; Skips - waste materials need storing safely before their removal from the site so make sure that you allow sufficient space for waste skips and bins etc. Plan where the skips can be positioned and how often they will need to be collected; Waste within buildings - consider waste generated inside the building and whether you need to provide wheeled bins or chutes etc. to enable it to be brought out of the building safely;

Organising site welfare

What you need to do The law says that clients and contractors have responsibilities regarding welfare facilities on construction projects. Contractors provide welfare facilities and clients must ensure this happens. The pre-construction information prepared by the client should include the arrangements for welfare provision. On notifiable projects (longer than 30 days or 500 person days), the client must ensure the construction phase does not start unless they are satisfied that there are arrangements for welfare facilities to be provided. Contractors must maintain the facilities throughout the life of the project. The nature and scale of facilities required will depend on the size, location and type of project. Facilities include:

Toilets Washing facilities Drinking water Changing rooms and lockers Facilities for rest

What you need to know Everyone who works on any site must have: access to adequate toilet and washing facilities; a place for preparing and consuming refreshments; and somewhere for storing and drying clothing and personal protective equipment.

If mobile teams work at a number of locations over a few days (e.g. road repair and cable-laying gangs), these facilities can be provided at a central location accessible within a reasonable distance or time. Decisions and action on welfare facilities need to be taken at an early stage of project planning. Toilets Toilets should be suitable and sufficient, ventilated, lit and kept in a clean and orderly condition. Washing facilities must be provided so that workers can use them immediately after using the toilet or urinal, even if they are provided elsewhere.

Washing facilities General washing facilities must be suitable and sufficient, kept clean and orderly and with basins or sinks large enough for people to wash their face, hands and forearms. The facilities should include: clean hot and cold, or warm, running water; soap or other suitable means of cleaning; towels or other suitable means of drying; and showers where the nature of work is particularly dirty or there is a need to decontaminate.

Drinking water Drinking water must be provided or made available at readily accessible and suitable places. Cups are required unless the supply is in a jet from which people can drink easily. Changing rooms and lockers Changing rooms are needed where workers have to wear special clothing for the purposes of their work and cannot be expected to change elsewhere. The rooms must be provided with seating, means of drying and keeping clothing and personal effects secure. Facilities for rest Rest rooms or rest areas are required equipped with tables and seating (with backs) sufficient for the number of persons likely to use them at any one time. There should be arrangements for meals to be prepared and eaten, plus means for boiling water. In cold weather, heating should be provided. Administration What you need to do The law on construction health and safety requires action to protect those at work on site and members of the public who may be affected. The key safety and health topics which require attention are covered in these webpages. There are a number legal requirements concerning notifications, risk assessments, safety plans and examination reports etc. that must be also produced or submitted.

Key aspects are:

Notifications Risk assessments CDM plan and file Thorough examination reports Inspection reports Method statements Injuries and dangerous occurrences

What you need to know The required notifications, assessments and reports etc. are necessary to support the practical steps taken to secure health and safety on site. You must have systems in place to ensure that these requirements are met and that the required paperwork is in order and submitted or available to Inspectors and others as required.

Notifications CDM projects - the co-ordinator appointed by the project client must ensure that notice of the construction project is given to HSE as soon as the co-ordinator is appointed. Tower cranes - all conventional tower cranes erected on construction sites must to be notified to HSE, normally by whoever has the responsibility for ensuring that the crane is thoroughly examined by a competent person

Risk assessments General assessment - employers are required to make an assessment of the health and safety risks to which employees and others are exposed on construction sites. The significant findings must be recorded where five of more people are employed. Specific assessments certain regulations require risk assessments for specific hazards and state in more detail what is required. These include: work at height; hazardous substance (COSHH); manual handling; noise; vibration and lead.

CDM plan and file Construction phase plan - the principal contractor must prepare and then update the construction phase plan throughout the project. The document

is designed to help plan, manage and monitor the construction work so it can be carried out safely. Health and safety file - the co-ordinator must prepare a file containing information relating to the project which is likely to be needed for safety during any subsequent construction work. Thorough examination reports There are strict legal requirements concerning the thorough examination of all lifting equipment e.g. cranes and slings etc. Records of thorough examinations and tests must be: readily available to enforcing authorities; secure; and capable of being reproduced in written form. Inspection reports Excavations, scaffolds, ladders and fall arrest systems etc must all be inspected at specified times with reports prepared and retained. Method statements The arrangements for carrying out demolition or dismantling must be recorded in writing before the work begins. This is usually achieved by means of a method statement that can be generated from a risk assessment. Such statements are prepared for many higher risk construction activities e.g. roof work. Injuries and dangerous occurrences Death and injury accidents that occur on site must be recorded and reported to HSE in certain cases under Riddor. The same applies to specified dangerous occurrences. Slips and trips What you need to do Contractors and others in control of construction sites must manage work so that people can move safely around the site. Your site should be kept in a clean and orderly condition so as to reduce the chance of injury through slips and trips. Everyone can make a contribution to reducing slips and trips on site. If you see a risk, sort it, or report it to someone who can. Key aspects of construction slips and trips include:

Uneven surfaces Obstacles Trailing cables

Wet or slippery surfaces Changes in level

What you need to know Several thousand construction workers are injured each year following a trip or slip whilst at work on a building site. Around 1000 of these injuries involve someone fracturing bones or dislocating joints. Most could be avoided by the effective management of working areas and access routes, such as stairwells, corridors, footpaths and site cabins. Involving the workforce can help identify problem areas and increase the reporting of near misses. Everyone can make a contribution to reducing slips and trips see it, sort it. Uneven surfaces Many slips and trips occur when people are walking on uneven surfaces. The risk can be reduced by providing walkways that are;

clearly designated as a walkway; provided with good conditions underfoot; signposted and provided with adequate lighting.

You can also use mechanical lifting aids rather than carrying unwieldy loads that block the view ahead and make sure everyone wears suitable footwear with a good grip. Obstacles Other slips and trips happen because there is something in the persons way, such as building materials or waste. You can help avoid these incidents by:

Housekeeping - everyone keeping their work and storage areas tidy; Deliveries - planning deliveries to minimise the amount of materials on

site; Waste - designating areas for waste collection, providing skips and bins where needed and making clear the responsibilities for waste removal.

Trailing cables If you can use cordless tools you may not need to use cables. Where you need cables for temporary lighting or mains-powered tools, run them at high level, especially along corridors

Wet or slippery surfaces Treat slippery surfaces with stone (mud) or grit (for ice) or provide temporary covering. Signpost any slippery areas and make sure footwear with a good grip is worn. Changes in level Where you cannot avoid small changes in level, such as in doorways, consider installing ramps. If you cannot do this, use signs to warn workers to look out for the change in level. Working at height Managing work at height follows a hierarchy of controls avoid, prevent, arrest which begins with the question can the work be done safely from the ground? Fall restraints and safety netting should only be considered as a last resort if other safety equipment cannot be used. 1. Assessing work at height - Assess the risks, take precautions, and issue clear method statements for everyone who will work at height. 2. Roof work - Plan safe access, and prevent falls from edges and openings. 3. Fragile surfaces - The hierarchy of controls for working on or near fragile surfaces is avoid, control, communicate, co-operate. 4. Ladders - When its appropriate to use ladders and the three key safety issues position, condition and safe use. 5. Tower scaffolds - Select the right tower for the job; erect, use, move and dismantle the tower safely; ensure that it is stable; inspect it regularly; prevent falls. Structural stability Assess the risks and prevent unintentional structural collapse during alterations, demolition and dismantling; and the measures you need to take to prevent accidents in excavations. 1. Structural stability in alterations demolition and dismantling - Key issues include survey and assessment, preventing structural collapse, arrangements for demolition and consulting building control departments 2. Structural stability in excavations - Making excavations safe so that people are not injured by collapse of excavation, by material falling on them, or by falling into the excavation. Structural stability during alteration, demolition and dismantling What you need to do

The law says that all alteration, demolition and dismantling work should be carefully planned and carried out by competent people to avoid unplanned structural collapse. The law requires commercial clients to provide contractors with relevant information about a buildings structure, including stability and structural form and any significant design assumptions, suggested work methods and sequences. The contractor must then use that information to plan and carry out the work safely. Key requirements are:

Survey and assessment Preventing structural collapse Arrangements for demolition Consulting building control departments

What you need to know Workers and passers-by can be injured by premature and uncontrolled collapse of structures, and by flying debris. Survey and assessment A competent person should do a thorough structural survey and assessment before any potentially load- bearing parts of a structure are altered. The structural survey should consider:

The age of the structure; previous use; type of construction; and any nearby buildings or structures.

This information should be used to determine the steps required to prevent any collapse. Preventing structural collapse A competent person should decide the method and design of temporary supports. Temporary support provided must be designed, installed and maintained to withstand foreseeable loads and structures should never be overloaded. Arrangements for demolition

Demolition or dismantling arrangements should be written down before the work begins. This safe system of work may be in the form of a safety method statement identifying the sequence required to prevent accidental collapse of the structure. In addition to the design and method of temporary supports a safe system of work may include: Establishing exclusion zones and hard-hat areas, clearly marked and with barriers or hoardings; covered walkways; using high-reach machines; reinforcing machine cabs so that drivers are not injured; and training and supervising site workers.

Consulting building control departments You should consult the building control department of the local authority in the area where a building is located before any structural alterations are made to a building. The local authority is the enforcing body for building regulations. Structural stability during excavations What you need to do The law says you must prevent danger to workers in or near excavations. To maintain the required precautions, a competent person must inspect excavation supports or battering at the start of the working shift and at other specified times. No work should take place until the excavation is safe. Commercial clients must provide certain information to contractors before work begins. This should include relevant information on: Ground conditions underground structures or water courses; and the location of existing services. This information should be used to during the planning and preparation for excavation work.

Key issues are:

Collapse of excavations Falling or dislodging material Falling into excavations

Inspection

What you need to know Every year people are killed or seriously injured by collapses and falling materials while working in excavations. They are at risk from:

Excavations collapsing and burying or injuring people working in them; material falling from the sides into any excavation; and people or plant falling into excavations.

Remember:

No ground can be relied upon to stand unsupported in all circumstances. One cubic metre of soil can weigh as much as one tonne.

Trenchless techniques should always be considered at the design stage as they replace the need for major excavations. Underground and overhead services may also present a fire, explosion, electrical or other hazard and will need to be assessed and managed. Collapse of excavations Temporary support Before digging any trench pit, tunnel, or other excavations, decide what temporary support will be required and plan the precautions to be taken. Make sure the equipment and precautions needed (trench sheets, props, baulks etc) are available on site before work starts. Battering the excavation sides Battering the excavation sides to a safe angle of repose may also make the excavation safer. In granular soils, the angle of slope should be less than the natural angle of repose of the material being excavated. In wet ground a considerably flatter slope will be required. Falling or dislodging material Loose materials may fall from spoil heaps into the excavation. Edge protection should include toeboards or other means, such as projecting trench sheets or box sides to protect against falling materials. Head protection should be worn. Undermining other structures Check that excavations do not undermine scaffold footings, buried services or the foundations of nearby buildings or walls.

Decide if extra support for the structure is needed before you start. Surveys of the foundations and the advice of a structural engineer may be required. Effect of plant and vehicles Do not park plant and vehicles close to the sides of excavations. The extra loadings can make the sides of excavations more likely to collapse. Falling into excavations Prevent people from falling Edges of excavations should be protected with substantial barriers where people are liable to fall into them. To achieve this, use: Guard rails and toe boards inserted into the ground immediately next to the supported excavation side; or fabricated guard rail assemblies that connect to the sides of the trench box the support system itself, e.g. using trench box extensions or trench sheets longer than the trench depth.

Inspection A competent person who fully understands the dangers and necessary precautions should inspect the excavation at the start of each shift. Excavations should also be inspected after any event that may have affected their strength or stability, or after a fall of rock or earth. A record of the inspections will be required and any faults that are found should be corrected immediately. Construction design and management (CDM) The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) can help you to: improve health and safety in your industry have the right people for the right job at the right time to manage the risks on site focus on effective planning and manage the risk - not the paperwork

Everyone controlling site work has health and safety responsibilities. Checking that working conditions are healthy and safe before work begins, and ensuring that the proposed work is not going to put others at risk, require planning and organisation. This applies whatever the size of the site.

What do I need to do? CDM 2007 places legal duties on virtually everyone involved in construction work. Those with legal duties are commonly known as 'dutyholders':

Clients CDM co-ordinators Designers Principal contractors Contractors Workers

Summary of duties Frequently asked questions

General CDM 2007 Notification/F10 Domestic clients/householders Clients (others) CDM co-ordinators Designers Principal contractors Contractors Competence and training

CDM - What you need to know What happens if I don't comply? What's in it for me? Legal requirements CDM Do's and Don'ts Competence What you need to know if you are doing or having construction and building work carried out How do I find out more? The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: The health and safety learning legacy