Safety Statement for a Groundworks Contractor: Key Hazards and Controls
A Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor must address the specific hazards of excavation, earthmoving, buried services, and plant operations.
# Safety Statement for a Groundworks Contractor: Key Hazards and Controls Groundworks is one of the most hazardous phases of any construction project. Excavation, earthmoving, piling, drainage installation, and foundation work all involve significant risks that must be identified, assessed, and controlled. A Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor must reflect these specific hazards — a generic document that could apply to any type of contractor will not meet the legal requirements or protect workers effectively. This guide explains what a Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor must include, the key hazards that must be addressed, and how to ensure the document is suitable and sufficient for the work being carried out. ## What Is a Safety Statement? A Safety Statement is a written document that sets out how a company manages health and safety. Under Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, every employer in Ireland must prepare a written Safety Statement based on a risk assessment of the hazards in the workplace. The Safety Statement is not a one-size-fits-all document. It must be specific to the employer's undertaking — the type of work they carry out, the hazards they encounter, and the controls they use. For a groundworks contractor, this means the Safety Statement must address the specific hazards of excavation, earthmoving, and related activities. A Safety Statement that consists of generic text downloaded from the internet, with the company name inserted at the top, does not meet the legal requirements. The HSA has made clear that Safety Statements must be tailored to the specific workplace and activities of the employer. ## The Key Hazards for a Groundworks Contractor Groundworks involves a distinctive set of hazards that differ significantly from other types of construction work. The following are the key hazards that must be addressed in a Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor. ### Excavation Collapse Excavation collapse is one of the most serious hazards in groundworks. An unsupported excavation can collapse without warning, burying workers under tonnes of soil. Fatalities from excavation collapse occur regularly in Ireland and across Europe. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to assess ground conditions before excavating - The requirement to support excavations of 1.25 metres or more in depth, or shallower excavations where the ground conditions or other factors create a risk of collapse - The methods of support to be used (trench boxes, sheet piling, battering, benching) - The requirement to inspect excavations before each working shift and after any event that may have affected their stability - The exclusion of workers from excavations during machine excavation ### Plant and Vehicle Movements Groundworks involves intensive use of excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, and other heavy plant. The risk of workers being struck by plant or vehicles is significant. The Safety Statement must address: - The separation of pedestrian and vehicle routes - The use of banksmen when plant is reversing - Speed limits on site - The exclusion zones around operating plant - The requirement for all workers to wear high-visibility clothing ### Buried Services Striking a buried gas main, electricity cable, or water main during excavation can cause explosions, electrocution, flooding, and other serious consequences. Groundworks contractors must identify the location of buried services before excavating. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to obtain up-to-date service drawings before excavating - The use of cable avoidance tools (CAT and Genny) to locate buried services - Safe digging distances from known services - The procedure to follow if a service is struck or damaged ### Falls into Excavations Open excavations create a risk of falls for workers and members of the public. Excavations must be protected to prevent falls. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to provide edge protection (barriers, covers, or baulks) around open excavations - The requirement to provide safe means of access and egress from excavations (ladders, steps) - The exclusion of the public from the vicinity of open excavations - The requirement to cover or protect excavations at the end of each working day ### Manual Handling Groundworks involves significant manual handling — lifting pipes, kerbs, blocks, and other heavy materials. Manual handling injuries are among the most common causes of absence in the construction industry. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to assess manual handling tasks - The use of mechanical aids (lifting equipment, trolleys, pipe clamps) to reduce manual handling - Manual handling training for workers - The maximum weights to be lifted manually ### Noise and Vibration Groundworks involves the use of noisy plant and vibrating equipment — excavators, compactors, breakers, and piling rigs. Workers may be exposed to noise and vibration levels that require controls and health surveillance. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to assess noise and vibration exposures - The use of quieter plant and equipment where possible - The provision of hearing protection where noise levels exceed the lower exposure action value - Health surveillance for workers exposed to noise or vibration above the relevant action values ### Contaminated Ground Groundworks on brownfield sites or near former industrial areas may involve exposure to contaminated soil or groundwater. Contaminants may include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, or biological hazards. The Safety Statement must address: - The requirement to carry out a ground investigation before starting work on potentially contaminated sites - The controls to be used when working in contaminated ground (PPE, hygiene facilities, waste management) - The procedure for dealing with unexpected contamination ### Working Near Water Groundworks near rivers, canals, or in areas with a high water table creates a risk of drowning. Excavations can fill rapidly with water, and workers can fall into open water. The Safety Statement must address: - The risk assessment for work near water - The controls to be used (barriers, life-saving equipment, buddy system) - The emergency procedures in the event of a worker entering the water ## Structure of a Safety Statement for a Groundworks Contractor A well-structured Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor should include the following sections: **1. Company details and policy statement.** A brief statement of the company's commitment to health and safety, signed by the owner or managing director. **2. Organisation and responsibilities.** Who is responsible for health and safety in the company? What are the specific responsibilities of directors, managers, supervisors, and workers? **3. Risk assessments.** A summary of the risk assessments carried out for the key activities, with reference to the detailed risk assessment documents. For a groundworks contractor, this must include risk assessments for excavation, plant operations, buried services, manual handling, noise, vibration, and any other significant hazards. **4. Safe systems of work.** The safe systems of work for high-risk activities — excavation support, working near buried services, working near water, and so on. **5. Arrangements for consultation.** How does the company consult with workers on health and safety matters? **6. Training arrangements.** What training is provided to workers? Who is responsible for ensuring workers are trained? **7. Emergency procedures.** What are the emergency procedures in the event of an accident, fire, or other emergency? **8. Accident reporting and investigation.** How are accidents and near misses reported and investigated? **9. Health surveillance.** What health surveillance is provided for workers exposed to noise, vibration, or other occupational health hazards? **10. Review arrangements.** When and how will the Safety Statement be reviewed? ## Keeping the Safety Statement Up to Date A Safety Statement must be reviewed whenever there is a reason to believe it is no longer valid — for example, when the company takes on a new type of work, when there is a change in legislation, or when an accident or near miss reveals a gap in the existing arrangements. For a groundworks contractor, the Safety Statement should also be reviewed when the company moves to a new site, because ground conditions, buried services, and other site-specific hazards vary from project to project. The HSA recommends that Safety Statements are reviewed at least annually, even where no specific trigger for review has arisen. ## Conclusion A Safety Statement for a groundworks contractor must be specific to the hazards of groundworks — excavation collapse, plant movements, buried services, falls into excavations, manual handling, noise, vibration, contaminated ground, and work near water. A generic document will not meet the legal requirements or protect workers effectively. If you need assistance preparing or reviewing a Safety Statement for your groundworks business, Safety Check can help. We have extensive experience in construction safety and can prepare a Safety Statement that is tailored to your specific activities and meets the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Contact us at [safetycheck.ie/contact](https://www.safetycheck.ie/contact). ## References [1] Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, Section 20. Available at: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/act/10/enacted/en/html [2] Health and Safety Authority - Safety Statement. Available at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/general_safety_and_health_management/safety_statement/ [3] Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Available at: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/si/291/made/en/print [4] Health and Safety Authority - Excavations. Available at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/construction/safety_topics/excavations/