Template

Excavation and Trenching Critical Control Checklist

by Kel Peterson, from the Community

This critical control checklist helps supervisors and crews manage risks during excavation and trenching. It guides positive identification of underground services, HV isolation and clearances, permits, benching, battering or shoring for stability, safe plant positioning outside the zone of influence, fall protection and barricading, slew radius exclusion, and emergency readiness. Use it to verify controls, document inspections, and keep workers safe on site.

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With SafetyCulture you can

Digitize any process, procedure or policy

Eliminate mistakes made by paper-based processes

Create and share professional reports instantly

Confirm accountability and compliance with a digital log

About author

Community

This community page makes available free workplace checklists and templates created by other users within the SafetyCulture community. SafetyCulture has re-published this content and where possible, has credited the original author. SafetyCulture has not verified the accuracy, reliability or suitability of any community content. You agree that your use of any of this content is in accordance with SafetyCulture’s Terms and Conditions.

Template
Excavation Safety: Critical Process Confirmation
This excavation safety checklist helps supervisors and crews confirm that all excavation, drilling, and ground‑disturbance activities are performed safely. It covers permits, locating and confirming underground and overhead services, appointing a competent supervisor, and implementing controls such as shoring, benching, or battering. It includes checks for safe access and egress, emergency response procedures, site security to prevent unauthorized entry, operator competency and training, equipment separation, and periodic inspections to monitor stability, protecting workers and the public.
by Rob Feasey, from the Community
Downloads: 30+
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Template
RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist
This RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist helps site representatives verify compliance with excavation requirements on road and civil projects. It covers risk assessments and SWMS, earth retention methods (benching, battering, shoring), angles of repose, engineer approvals for shoring and trench covers, identification of underground and overhead services, supervision by competent persons, barricading, safe access and egress, no working alone procedures, emergency planning, scheduled inspections, control of the zone of influence, plant and traffic risks, and potential confined space hazards. Use it to record findings and follow-up actions.
by Steve Clark, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
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Template
Reilly Contractors Excavation Inspection Checklist
This excavation inspection template supports site HSE for trenching and excavation work. It covers crew hazard assessments, plant prestarts and alarms, permits and Dial Before You Dig checks, construction signage and service protection, access and egress, benches, battering or shoring, spoil placement and setbacks, pedestrian and plant separation, traffic management plan compliance, PPE and seasonal considerations, and corrective actions. Use it to document compliance with the excavation code of practice and reduce risks to workers and the public.
by Ryan Mcgurk, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
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Template
K and W Underground Site Inspection Report
This underground site inspection checklist supports safe excavation and utility work by guiding teams to confirm permits and tickets, identify and mark services such as electrical, gas, water, sewer, and communications, and maintain required approach distances. It covers trench safety over five feet, including battering, benching, shoring, or competent person inspections. It also includes barricading and signage requirements, vehicle exclusion, access and egress every 25 feet, safe spoil placement, photo evidence, actions, assignees, due dates, and sign-off.
by Rick Brasfield, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
Get

Excavation Safety: Critical Process Confirmation

This excavation safety checklist helps supervisors and crews confirm that all excavation, drilling, and ground‑disturbance activities are performed safely. It covers permits, locating and confirming underground and overhead services, appointing a competent supervisor, and implementing controls such as shoring, benching, or battering. It includes checks for safe access and egress, emergency response procedures, site security to prevent unauthorized entry, operator competency and training, equipment separation, and periodic inspections to monitor stability, protecting workers and the public.

by Rob Feasey, from the Community

30+

Get

Template

RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist

This RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist helps site representatives verify compliance with excavation requirements on road and civil projects. It covers risk assessments and SWMS, earth retention methods (benching, battering, shoring), angles of repose, engineer approvals for shoring and trench covers, identification of underground and overhead services, supervision by competent persons, barricading, safe access and egress, no working alone procedures, emergency planning, scheduled inspections, control of the zone of influence, plant and traffic risks, and potential confined space hazards. Use it to record findings and follow-up actions.

by Steve Clark, from the Community

10+

Get

Template

Reilly Contractors Excavation Inspection Checklist

This excavation inspection template supports site HSE for trenching and excavation work. It covers crew hazard assessments, plant prestarts and alarms, permits and Dial Before You Dig checks, construction signage and service protection, access and egress, benches, battering or shoring, spoil placement and setbacks, pedestrian and plant separation, traffic management plan compliance, PPE and seasonal considerations, and corrective actions. Use it to document compliance with the excavation code of practice and reduce risks to workers and the public.

by Ryan Mcgurk, from the Community

10+

Get

Template

K and W Underground Site Inspection Report

This underground site inspection checklist supports safe excavation and utility work by guiding teams to confirm permits and tickets, identify and mark services such as electrical, gas, water, sewer, and communications, and maintain required approach distances. It covers trench safety over five feet, including battering, benching, shoring, or competent person inspections. It also includes barricading and signage requirements, vehicle exclusion, access and egress every 25 feet, safe spoil placement, photo evidence, actions, assignees, due dates, and sign-off.

by Rick Brasfield, from the Community

10+

Get

Excavation and Trenching Critical Control Checklist

About author

You might also like

Excavation Safety: Critical Process Confirmation

RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist

Reilly Contractors Excavation Inspection Checklist

K and W Underground Site Inspection Report

You might also like

Excavation Safety: Critical Process Confirmation

RMS H12 Excavation Surveillance Checklist

Reilly Contractors Excavation Inspection Checklist

K and W Underground Site Inspection Report