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Groundworks Risk Assessment — Done in 2 Minutes
Excavation, drainage, foundations, trenching — describe the groundworks, we write the risk assessment.
⚠ Near underground services? Always state whether utilities have been located. We’ll include service avoidance procedures, CAT and Genny use, and emergency isolation contacts in your assessment.
The Legal Framework for Groundworks
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) require that health and safety risks are eliminated or controlled throughout every construction project — including groundworks, excavations and drainage work. Under CDM 2015 Regulation 2, all contractors (including sole traders) have duties to plan, manage and monitor their own work. Principal contractors must ensure risk assessments are in place before work begins. On notifiable projects (lasting more than 30 working days with 20 or more workers simultaneously, or more than 500 person-days), a Construction Phase Plan must be in place before groundworks commence.
When working near underground services, HSG47 ‘Avoiding Danger from Underground Services’ (HSE guidance) sets out the safe system of work: obtain service drawings, survey with a CAT and Genny (cable avoidance tool and signal generator) before digging, mark services on site, use safe digging techniques within tolerance zones (500mm either side of a gas main, for example), and have emergency isolation contacts on site. Failing to follow these steps is a leading cause of fatal accidents in groundworks.
Excavation-specific requirements are covered in the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, Regulation 12, which requires that every excavation must be adequately supported to prevent collapse, inspected before work begins and after any event likely to have affected its stability, and that no one works in an excavation unless it is safe to do so.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3) require all employers and the self-employed to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for every work activity. For groundworks contractors, this means a written assessment for every distinct job — not a generic template.
How It Works
1. Describe the Works
Tell us the job — excavation depth, location, plant used, proximity to services or structures.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant groundworks risk assessment tailored to your specific project.
3. Instant Download and Use
Download immediately. Use on site, share with your principal contractor, or include in your CDM documentation.
What It Covers
Every groundworks risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your specific job.
Excavation depth, side support and collapse prevention
Underground utilities and services (gas, electric, water, telecoms)
Overhead power lines
Plant and machinery (excavators, dumpers, rollers)
Groundwater and flooding during excavation
Working near existing structures and foundations
Confined spaces (manholes, deep excavations)
Spoil management and site logistics
Public and pedestrian safety adjacent to works
CDM coordination obligations
Works For
Whether it’s a small drainage job or a full basement excavation, Anyrisks covers it.
What Customers Say
“Our principal contractor asked for a risk assessment before we broke ground. Anyrisks had it done in minutes — excavation controls, service avoidance, everything.”
Mark T.
Groundworks contractor, Midlands
“We do a lot of drainage installs — each one needs its own risk assessment. Anyrisks makes it quick to generate a tailored document for each job.”
Darren K.
Drainage contractor, Yorkshire
“Used it for a basement excavation near existing foundations. It flagged all the structural risks and CDM requirements — exactly what we needed.”
Phil R.
Civil engineering firm, South East
Join thousands of UK businesses getting risk assessments done in minutes.
You’ll be delighted with your Risk Assessment, or your money back.
Anyrisks vs DIY Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers CDM obligations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Includes underground service avoidance | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your excavation and site | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What CDM 2015 duties apply to a groundworks contractor?
Under CDM 2015, all contractors (including sole traders) must plan, manage and monitor their own work so it is carried out without risks to health and safety. Groundworks contractors working under a principal contractor must cooperate and comply with the principal contractor’s Construction Phase Plan. For notifiable projects, the principal contractor must produce the Construction Phase Plan before groundworks commence. Anyrisks’ groundworks assessments are aligned with CDM 2015 and flag notifiable project thresholds.
What does HSG47 require for working near underground services?
HSG47 ‘Avoiding Danger from Underground Services’ (HSE guidance) requires: obtaining up-to-date service drawings before starting, surveying the area with a CAT and Genny (cable avoidance tool and signal generator), marking located services on the ground surface, using safe digging techniques within tolerance zones (typically 500mm either side of the service), and having emergency isolation contacts available on site. Anyrisks’ groundworks assessments include service avoidance procedures as a standard section.
Do I need a permit to dig?
On sites where a principal contractor is in control, a permit-to-dig system is typically required before any excavation near known services. Anyrisks’ assessment will reference this requirement. For independent jobs, a written safe system of work referencing HSG47 is the minimum standard.
What if I’m working in groundwater or flood conditions?
Mention the site conditions when describing the job. Anyrisks will include controls for groundwater, battered excavations, sumping and pumping, and monitoring for water ingress.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the job — excavation depth, location, plant, proximity to services — and Anyrisks produces a complete groundworks risk assessment. £29, no subscription.