Description
Permit to Dig
All ground disturbance work on company premises are subject to a Permit to Dig.
A permit to dig is defined as a specialised safe system of work through which certain activities can only be carried out by an authorised person.
Permits to Dig are an essential and important way of ensuring the health and safety of employees contractors and others. They go towards ensuring a company fulfils their duty of care.
A Permit to Dig may only be issued by a Competent Person. It can be issued for up to five days and it is the responsibility of the competent person to ensure:
- Those permitted to work have sufficient information, where possible, to plan excavation work safely. This means knowing the location of cables and underground services in most instances.
- Those permitted to work have sufficient information, where available, about the ground conditions and stability of adjacent structures to ensure a safe means of excavation.
- Qualified design engineers are consulted when there is a risk excavation could compromise the stability of adjacent structures.
- All other information which could be relevant to the chosen method of excavation is provided for the contractor.
- That a permit to dig meeting company procedures is issued
- Works are properly monitored for full safety compliance
- Permits are closed as required by company procedure
