All site activities must be risk assessed. Generic assessments and safe systems of work must be made site specific.

Any activity involving the penetration of ground must be fully risk assessed by a competent person1 prior to the commencement of works. The Permit to Dig provides a safe system of work for any operation which penetrates, lowers or disturbs the existing ground level to a depth greater than 100m (unless work is in a footway and where a permit is ALWAYS required including footways through green areas).

Examples of activities which are considered to be excavation works includes, but is not limited to:

• Trenching.
• Playground refurbishment.
• Digging.
• Staking.
• New shrub bed.
• Fence posts.
• Sign installation.
• Using line pins.
• Directional boring.
• Waste bin installation.
• Trial holes and ground surveys.

Contractors have a responsibility for provision and maintenance of safe systems of work to ensure, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their activities. This includes using the relevant information provided by the client, or their competent person, to locate the underground services prior to commencement of work.