Procedure Title

Earthworks Risk Management Procedure

Parent Policy
OHS Policy

Date Effective March 2020

Review Date
March 2020

Procedure Owner
Manager, OH&S

Category
Operational

Version Number
1

Content Enquiries
[email protected]

This Procedure applies to any activities under the management and control
Scope
of Monash University in Australia.
The purpose of this Procedure is to provide an overarching framework for the
Purpose
effective management of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) associated
with underground disturbance and the corresponding risks at Monash
University.

Table of Contents
1. Abbreviations ................................................................................................. 2
2. Definitions ...................................................................................................... 2
3. Activities involving Earthworks ....................................................................... 2
3.1. Scoping .......................................................................................................................... 2
3.2. Risk Assessment ........................................................................................................... 2

4. Earthworks Permit-to-work ............................................................................. 3

5. Responsibility for Implementation .................................................................. 4
6. Tools .............................................................................................................. 4
7. Records .......................................................................................................... 4
8. Document History........................................................................................... 4
1. Abbreviations
BPD Buildings and Property Division
OHS Occupational Health and Safety
OH&S Monash Occupational Health and Safety

2. Definitions
A comprehensive list of definitions is provided in the Definitions tool. Definitions specific to this
procedure are provided below.
Authorised Person: A person who is authorised on behalf of the Manager, OH&S, to approve and
issue a certificate in relation to a specific type of prescribed activity.
Approved Person: A person who has been approved by an authorised person to supervise activities
involving prescribed activities.
Contractor: Any person or business engaged by Monash University who enters into a contractual
arrangement to conduct work for Monash University, but whose primary employer is not Monash
University.
Contractor Management: The process of managing work that is being/has been outsourced by
Monash University. In the context of this procedure ‘contractor management’ relates to OHS.
Earthworks: Where there is any potential to disturb underground services either as a result of earth
removal (excavation, trenching, etc.) or through the introduction of equipment underground (staking,
aerating, monitoring, etc.).
Excavations: Any earthworks that involves the formation of:
 a trench (if the excavated depth is more than 1.5 metres)
 a shaft (if the excavated depth is more than two metres)
 a tunnel (if the construction excavation would be deep enough for a person to enter or there
is a health and safety risk to anyone from the excavation)
Ground Level: The present height of the surface of the earth.
Permit-to-work Certificate: Documented evidence of the issuing of a permit-to-work.
Permit Holder: A person who is authorised by both an approved person and the authorised person to
supervise activities involving prescribed activities as documented in a permit-to-work certificate.
Sub-Contractor: Any person engaged by the principal contractor to assist with the contracted works.
Any person subsequently engaged by these persons to assist is also deemed to be a sub-contractor.
Suitably Qualified Person: Person who can demonstrate that, through their experience, knowledge,
qualifications and/or skills, they are competent to perform underground disturbance and determine
safe methods of controlling the risk of fire.

3. Activities involving Earthworks

3.1. Scoping
It is the responsibility of the Operational Manager to ensure that when scoping work to be undertaken,
to the extent that it is practicable, it is determined whether or not the activities will include earthworks.
3.2. Risk Assessment
All hazards associated with earthworks must be identified and assessed. Risks that may arise include:
 Excavating a substantial volume of soil such that the banks could collapse;
 Create a risk of falling from heights (for risk management requirements see Working From
Heights Risk Management Procedure);
  Damaging services that could directly cause harm (e.g. high voltage electrical cabling, gas
piping);
 Disrupting services that could compromise existing safety systems (e.g. damaging fire
monitoring services, data cables, water supplies).
Operational managers must ensure that any risks arising from earthworks are identified, so far as
reasonable, before work commences. If there is an element of doubt, Operational Managers must
consult with the Authorised Person.
Any Operational Manager directing work involving risks arising from earthworks must be approved to
do so using the OHS Prescribed Activities Approval Form.
Risk assessments must be conducted in consultation with the party who will perform the works in
accordance with the OHS Risk Management Procedure. The risk assessment must be documented
and should include consideration and adequate control of risks. A template risk assessment is
available in SARAH.

4. Earthworks Permit-to-work
Any work conducted under the management control of Monash University that may involve earthworks
must have a permit-to-work before commencement unless that work involves:
 Minor soil disturbance using only hand tools to a depth of less than 60 cm from ground level
at the time services may previously have been installed. Where this ground level cannot be
clearly identified, works should not be considered as minor soil disturbance
Permits are requested through Buildings and Property Division.
Permit-to-work requests must be assigned to an Approved Person in accordance with the
requirements of the OHS Prescribed Activities and Permit-to-work Procedure. The Approved Person
is responsible for ensuring that:
 The party conducting the work has demonstrated suitable competency to perform work of
this nature;
 Hazards associated with the work appear to have been identified and risks assessed ;
 The intended work methods appear to be safe and without risk to health; and
 A Permit-to-work is in place before any works commence.
4.4 Conditions on a Permit-to-work
The Permit Holder must ensure that:
1. Existing underground services have been located, so far as practicable, including the use of:
a. Plans and drawings;
b. Scanning technology;
c. Exploratory excavation works; and/or
d. Signage indicating presence of services.
2. Powered plant and equipment is used operated in such a fashion as to minimise the potential
to damage to any service accidently located during earthworks.
3. The edge or bank of any removed soil has been secured to prevent hazardous collapse and
that there is a safe means of entry and exit to the workarea.
4. For excavations, completion of the WorkSafe ‘Notice of intention to perform construction
excavation work’ and evidence of approval from WorkSafe to commence.
5. The work area has been isolated, so far as practicable, from other persons;
6. Emergency procedures are in place for the duration of works.
4.6 Monitoring
The Permit Holder must ensure that all controls identified through risk management are in place.
The Approved Person must conduct monitoring to ensure that, as far as practicable, controls identified
through risk management are in place.
The Authorised Person, The Manager, OH&S, or their representative, may review the conduct of any
work activities relating to earthworks entry without notice.

5. Responsibility for Implementation

It is the responsibility of the Manager, OH&S to ensure that this procedure is implemented.

6. Tools
The following tools are associated with this procedure:

 Nothing at present

7. Records
For OHS Records document retention please refer to:
Monash University OHS Records Management Procedure

Status New

Approval Body Monash University OHS Committee (MUOHSC)

Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004), Victoria
Legislation Mandating
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2017) Victoria
Compliance

Related Policies OHS Policy

Australian and International Standards
Related Documents
OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems -
requirements
AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems –
specifications with guidance for use.
WorkSafe Guidance documents
Compliance Code ‘Confined Spaces’, WorkSafe Victoria September
2008
Monash University OHS documents
PTW Procedure (BPD (Services)
Contractor Management Procedure
Confined Space Register

8. Document History
Version Date of Issue Changes made to document
1 March 2020 Earthworks Risk Management Procedure, v1