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Excavation Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Excavation work carries serious collapse and utility strike risks. Describe the excavation depth, soil type, proximity to services and site access. We generate a fully written, CDM-compliant excavation risk assessment covering all relevant regulations and HSE guidance in minutes.
Used by groundwork contractors, civil engineers, utility installers and construction firms across the UK
⚠️ Excavating deeper than 1.2 metres or near buried services? Mention it — we'll include shoring/battering requirements, CAT and Genny scanning procedures, safe digging protocols and all controls required under CDM 2015 and HSE guidance HSG185.
Legal requirements for excavation work
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) place a legal duty on contractors and principal contractors to identify and manage risks from excavation work. Regulation 22 specifically requires that excavations are inspected by a competent person before each shift, after any event likely to affect strength or stability, and at least every seven days. A written record of these inspections must be kept on site and made available to the HSE on request.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires all employers and self-employed persons to assess risks to workers and others affected by their work. For excavation work, this means documenting how you will prevent collapse, utility strikes, falls into the excavation, and access/egress hazards. A written risk assessment is mandatory and must be specific to the site, soil conditions and depth of excavation.
HSE guidance HSG185 (Health and Safety in Excavations) sets out the practical measures required to prevent death and injury. Between 2018 and 2023, the HSE reported an average of 8 fatalities per year from excavation collapses and buried service strikes. The most common causes are inadequate support, failure to locate services, and lack of safe access. Anyrisks assessments reference HSG185 and include all required controls.
If the excavation is deep, narrow or has restricted access, the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 may apply. You must assess whether entry constitutes confined space work and include atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and emergency protocols where required.
How it works
1. Describe the excavation
Tell us the depth, soil type, location of buried services, site access, whether you are hand digging or using machinery, and any specific hazards such as groundwater or unstable ground. If you are working alone or in a confined space, mention it and we will include appropriate controls including lone working procedures.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant excavation risk assessment referencing CDM 2015, HSG185 and the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 where relevant.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to the principal contractor, include it in your RAMS pack, or file it for CDM compliance. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every excavation risk assessment is written in full — covering all collapse, service strike and site hazards relevant to your excavation work.
Collapse risk — shoring, battering and support requirements
Buried services — CAT and Genny scanning, safe digging procedures
Utility strike emergency protocols (gas, electric, water)
Deep excavations over 1.2 metres — HSG185 compliance
Falls into excavation — barriers, signage and edge protection
Access and egress — ladder placement, step distance requirements
Groundwater ingress and pumping procedures
Adjacent structures — undermining and subsidence risk
Mechanical excavation — exclusion zones, banksman, operator competence
Hand digging near services — safe digging tools and techniques
Confined space entry — atmospheric testing, rescue, Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
Soil type and stability assessment (clay, sand, gravel, made ground)
CDM 2015 Regulation 22 — competent person inspection requirements
Vehicle and plant movements on site
Works for
From shallow utility connections to deep foundation trenches, Anyrisks covers every type of excavation work.
What customers say
"We do a lot of domestic drainage work — every job now needs a proper excavation risk assessment. Anyrisks gives me something site-specific in minutes, covering service strikes and shoring. Saves me hours every week."
Tom R.
Groundwork contractor, Yorkshire
"Principal contractors won't let us on site without RAMS. Anyrisks covered CAT and Genny scanning, battering requirements and CDM inspection procedures — exactly what the site manager wanted."
David L.
Civil engineering contractor, Scotland
"I use it for every utility connection job. References HSG185 and CDM 2015, includes safe digging procedures and emergency contacts for gas and electric strikes. Exactly what we need for compliance."
James K.
Utility installation specialist, South East
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| CDM 2015 and HSG185 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Soil type and depth-specific controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Service strike emergency procedures included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shoring and battering requirements calculated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Confined space controls where applicable | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does this meet CDM 2015 requirements for excavation work?
Yes — excavation risk assessments are written to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, specifically the duty to identify and manage collapse, buried services and access hazards. Principal contractors and the HSE expect documented assessments for all excavation work.
Does it cover utility strikes and service location?
Yes — describe the location and type of services (gas, electric, water, telecoms) and the assessment will include CAT and Genny scanning requirements, safe digging procedures and emergency contact protocols under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Can I use it for deep excavations over 1.2 metres?
Yes — state the depth and soil type and the assessment will include shoring or battering requirements, competent person supervision, and compliance with HSE guidance HSG185 (Health and Safety in Excavations). Deep excavations require additional controls and these are automatically included.
Does it cover confined space entry in excavations?
If the excavation is deep, narrow or has restricted access, mention this and confined space controls will be included — atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 will be referenced where applicable.
Is it accepted by principal contractors and site managers?
Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced risk assessment in the standard format expected by principal contractors, site managers and CDM coordinators. The format is professional and meets industry expectations across construction and civil engineering projects.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the excavation depth, soil type, proximity to services and site access, and Anyrisks produces a complete, CDM-compliant excavation risk assessment instantly.
Does it cover both hand digging and mechanical excavation?
Yes — describe whether you are using hand tools, a mini digger, or a full-size excavator and the assessment will cover the relevant controls, including operator competence, exclusion zones and banksman requirements.
Can I include multiple excavation locations in one assessment?
You can describe multiple excavations if they are similar in depth, soil type and hazards. If the excavations differ significantly (e.g. shallow utility connection plus deep foundation trench), generate separate assessments for clarity and site-specific control measures.