Safety in Excavations including Temporary works and Ground Support Systems
- Purpose of the course: Learn about excavation hazards, support methods, risk assessment, and statutory inspections. Understand temporary works procedures according to BS5975.
Overview
The Temporary Works Excavation Training course aims to provide participants with knowledge and skills to safely manage excavations. Course objectives include understanding hazards, basic engineering principles, support methods evaluation, risk assessment, and statutory inspections. The one-day course covers historic accidents, statutory aspects, soil mechanics, collapse mechanics, and temporary works procedures.
Who should attend
Engineers, Inspectors
Course Content
The Excavation Safety Trainingcourse provides participants with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to work safely in and around excavations. Working below ground presents unique and serious hazards, and this course is designed to help employers, supervisors, and site operatives understand their responsibilities and apply best practice to prevent accidents. Delegates will learn how to recognise potential dangers, apply safe systems of work, and comply with relevant UK legislation and industry standards.
Participants will explore the causes of historic excavation accidentsand examine the lessons learned to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Excavation Safety Trainingcourse covers key statutory requirements and the Control of Substances, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), ensuring that participants fully understand their legal duties.
Through a detailed review of excavation hazards, soil mechanics, and the engineering principlesbehind ground stability, delegates will gain insight into how collapses occur and how they can be prevented. The course explains how to evaluate support methods, identify additional hazards such as water ingress and buried services, and conduct effective risk assessments.
The Excavation Safety Trainingprogramme also focuses on temporary works procedures(BS5975), statutory inspections, and the responsibilities of competent persons overseeing excavation safety. Delegates will learn to interpret and implement risk control measures, select appropriate support systems, and ensure that excavations remain safe throughout their lifecycle.
By the end of this Excavation Safety Trainingcourse, attendees will have a clear understanding of how to plan, monitor, and manage excavation activities safely and in compliance with UK regulations. This course is ideal for site managers, supervisors, engineers, and anyone involved in excavation or groundworks who wants to strengthen their competence and contribute to a safer working environment.
You can view our Temporary Works courses here.
Who Should Attend
Location
Additional Information
Excavations can be extremely hazardous, with risks like ground collapse, buried services, and water ingress. This course helps you understand those dangers and teaches practical methods to prevent accidents, keeping both workers and projects safe.
Yes. The course covers statutory requirements, CDM regulations, and the responsibilities of competent persons, helping you understand and meet your legal duties while ensuring safe excavation practices.
