You may
be required to comply with this code if you intend to operate a business
involved in excavation work, including work done as an excavation contractor or
as the manager or controller of a site at which excavation work is carried out.
Excavation work means work involving the removal of soil or rock from a site to
form an open face, hole or cavity using tools, machinery or explosives. If you
intend to conduct a business or undertaking tasks that involve excavations
at the workplace you must manage risks associated with all kinds of
excavations, no matter how deep.
This Code of Practice is a Compliance Code.
Compliance Codes are made to provide practical guidance to persons who have
occupational health and safety duties or obligations. Compliance with this Code
of Practice is not mandatory. Failure to comply with a Compliance Code does not
give rise to civil or criminal liability. However, meeting the requirements of
a Compliance Code means that you have fulfilled your occupational health and
safety duties and obligations in relation to the matters covered by the
Compliance Code.
The Code includes specific duties in relation to high-risk
excavations. If you intend to conduct high risk excavation you will require
a Safe Work Method Statement. High risk construction work includes any work
connected with an excavation that is carried out in or near a shaft or trench
with an excavation of depth of greater than 1.5 metres or, a tunnel.
Further
information on standards with which persons involved in excavation work are
required to comply can be found in the Construction Work Code of Practice.
Please
consult the Contact Officer for more information and to ascertain the level of
compliance (if any) that may be required.
