Requirements, laws and regulations

Main requirements: risk assessment, training, an excavation plan at depths > 1.25 m, inspection of the excavation, securing of the walls, placement of excavated material and escape routes.

Quote (Norwegian original)“Før det graves dypere enn 1,25 meter skal arbeidsgiver sørge for å utarbeide en plan for gravingen.”

Practical guidance on safe planning and execution: sketches, inspections, escape routes and access to the trench.

Quote (Norwegian original)“Graves det dypere enn 1,25 meter skal det utarbeides en plan for arbeidet som bygger på kartleggingen og risikovurderingen som er gjort.”

Requirements for a safe physical working environment: protection against collapse, slides and slips. Applies to all types of trench work.

The client's HSE responsibilities: HSE plan (SHA-plan) and coordination of high-risk work. Duty to give written notice of particularly hazardous work.

Legal basis for the HSE plan and for coordinating risks between the parties on a construction site.

Practical guidance on clearing the work area against utility networks and ordering cable detection before digging.