What are the WHS requirements for excavation work in Australia?

WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4 sets out specific requirements for excavation work. The PCBU must ensure that excavation work is planned and managed to control the risk of collapse, falling into the excavation, and striking underground services. For excavations deeper than 1.5 metres, the regulations require ground support (shoring, shielding or battering to a safe angle) unless a competent person has assessed the ground and confirmed it is stable. Safe access and egress must be provided within 9 metres of any worker. The excavation must be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift. The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice for Excavation Work provides detailed guidance on compliance.

At what depth is shoring required in an excavation?

Under WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4, excavations deeper than 1.5 metres generally require ground support unless a competent person has assessed the ground conditions and confirmed that the excavation walls will remain stable without support. Even at depths less than 1.5 metres, support may be required if the soil is unstable, waterlogged, previously disturbed, subject to surcharge loading (from spoil piles, vehicles or nearby structures) or affected by vibration. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (for US operations), protective systems are required for excavations 5 feet (1.5 metres) or deeper, with options including sloping, benching, shoring and shielding. The key principle is that the need for support is determined by the actual ground conditions, not solely by depth.

What is Dial Before You Dig and when must it be used?

Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) is a free national referral service (1100.com.au) that provides plans showing the approximate location of underground infrastructure in a nominated area. Plans are provided by asset owners including electricity, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications and other utilities. DBYD must be used before any excavation work to identify services that may be present. The plans show approximate locations only. Once plans are received, the actual location of services must be confirmed on site using non-destructive methods (hand digging, vacuum excavation, ground penetrating radar) before mechanical excavation begins. DBYD requests should be submitted at least seven business days before work starts.

How close to an underground service can you mechanically excavate?

You must not mechanically excavate within the tolerance zone around an underground service. The tolerance zone varies by service type and jurisdiction but is typically 500 mm either side of the service (or 300 mm for hand-dug exposure). Within the tolerance zone, only non-mechanical methods are permitted: hand digging, vacuum excavation (sucker truck) or hydro excavation. This requirement applies to all services, including electricity, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications. Even outside the tolerance zone, the excavator operator must be briefed on service locations and must proceed with caution. Striking an underground electrical cable can cause electrocution, and striking a gas main can cause an explosion.

Is this excavation safety checklist free to download?

Yes. Download and use this excavation safety checklist for free. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital excavation safety checklists linked to site maps, with photo evidence of ground conditions, automated daily inspection reminders and a complete compliance record for principal contractor audits, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

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Free excavation safety checklist (PDF-ready). Underground services, shoring, benching, access, barricades and atmospheric testing. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a excavation safety checklist?

An excavation safety checklist is a structured inspection and planning document used to verify that all safety controls are in place before, during and after excavation work. It covers pre-dig planning (dial-before-you-dig service requests, review of service plans, geotechnical assessment), underground service identification and protection, excavation wall support (shoring, shielding, benching, battering), safe access and egress (ladders, ramps, stairs), edge protection and barricading, atmospheric testing for trenches and deep excavations, plant and equipment exclusion zones, water management (dewatering, weather monitoring), and daily inspection requirements. Under WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4, any person who commissions or carries out excavation work must manage the risks associated with the excavation, including the risk of collapse, falling into the excavation, and striking underground services. For excavations deeper than 1.5 metres, specific controls including ground support or battering to a safe angle are mandatory.

Excavation work is one of the highest-risk construction activities. Trench collapses can bury workers in seconds, with soil weighing over 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre leaving virtually no chance of self-rescue. Underground service strikes (electricity, gas, water, telecommunications) can cause electrocution, explosion, flooding and service disruption affecting thousands of people. These risks are compounded by variable soil conditions, changing weather, vibration from nearby plant and the pressure to maintain production schedules. A thorough checklist ensures that every critical control is verified by a competent person before anyone enters or works near an excavation, and that conditions are re-assessed daily and after any significant change. MapTrack enables construction teams to digitise excavation safety checklists, link inspections to specific dig locations on a site map, attach photo evidence of ground conditions and support systems, and maintain a complete compliance record for principal contractor and regulator audits.

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Benefits of using this excavation safety checklist

Prevention of collapse: the checklist prompts verification of ground conditions, support systems (shoring, shielding, benching, battering) and exclusion zones before anyone enters the excavation.
Underground service protection: structured dial-before-you-dig verification and onsite service location steps reduce the risk of striking electricity, gas, water or telecommunications infrastructure.
Regulatory compliance: documented pre-start and daily inspections demonstrate compliance with WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4 and the Code of Practice for Excavation Work.
Safe access and egress: the checklist verifies that ladders, ramps or stairs are provided within the required distance, ensuring workers can exit quickly if conditions change.
Atmospheric safety: for deep excavations and trenches where atmospheric hazards may exist, the checklist prompts gas testing before entry.
Daily re-assessment: excavation conditions change with weather, vibration and adjacent work. The checklist requires daily inspection by a competent person, catching deterioration before it causes a failure.
Audit trail: completed checklists with photos, test results and sign-offs provide a documented compliance record for principal contractors, regulators and insurers.

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What to include in a excavation safety checklist

This excavation safety checklist covers 11 key areas:

Excavation details: date, time, location on site (referenced to site plan or grid), excavation purpose, dimensions (length, width, depth), soil type (as per geotechnical report or competent person assessment).
Pre-dig planning: Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) request submitted and plans received, service plans reviewed and marked on site, non-mechanical exposure of services within tolerance zone completed, excavation permit issued (if required by site management plan).
Underground services: types of services identified in the area (electricity, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications, other), location method (plans, ground penetrating radar, potholing), services marked on ground, exclusion zones established around identified services, service owners notified if required.
Ground support: method selected (shoring, shielding, benching, battering or combination), designed or certified by a competent person (for excavations over 1.5 m), installed before entry, condition checked (no visible cracking, bulging, water seepage or undermining).
Access and egress: ladders, ramps or stairs provided within 9 metres of any worker in the excavation (WHS Regulations requirement), secured and extending at least 1 metre above the excavation edge, in good condition.
Edge protection: barricades, guardrails or physical barriers installed around the excavation perimeter, signage in place (excavation warning, no entry without authorisation), spoil and materials stored at least 1 metre from the edge.
Atmospheric testing: required for trenches deeper than 1.5 m where atmospheric hazards may exist, gas detector calibrated and in test date, readings recorded (O2, LEL, CO, H2S), safe levels confirmed before entry.
Plant and equipment: exclusion zones established to prevent plant from operating too close to the excavation edge, spotter assigned if plant is working near the excavation, underground service tolerance zones observed.
Water management: dewatering plan in place (if groundwater is present), weather forecast reviewed (heavy rain can destabilise excavation walls rapidly), water accumulation in the excavation managed.
Daily inspection: competent person has inspected the excavation at the start of each shift and after any significant event (heavy rain, vibration, adjacent excavation, extended break), inspection findings recorded.
Sign-off: excavation supervisor or competent person sign-off confirming all controls are in place and the excavation is safe for work, date and time.

How to use this excavation safety checklist

Complete pre-dig planning: submit a Dial Before You Dig request, review service plans, conduct a geotechnical assessment and determine the ground support method.: At least seven business days before excavation, submit a free Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) request at 1100.com.au. DBYD will return plans from all asset owners with infrastructure in the area. Review the plans and mark the approximate location of services on the ground using the appropriate colours (red for electricity, yellow for gas, blue for water, white for telecommunications). For excavations deeper than 1.5 metres, engage a competent person (geotechnical engineer for complex sites, or an experienced excavation supervisor for straightforward conditions) to assess the soil type, groundwater conditions and stability, and to design or select the ground support method (shoring, shielding, benching or battering to a safe angle). Document the method and any engineering certification on the checklist.
Locate and expose underground services before mechanical excavation begins. Use non-destructive methods within the tolerance zone.: Before starting mechanical excavation, positively locate all services identified on the DBYD plans. Within the tolerance zone (typically 500 mm either side of the marked service location), use non-mechanical methods: hand digging, vacuum excavation (sucker truck) or hydro excavation. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can assist in identifying service locations but should not be relied upon as the sole method. Once services are positively located and exposed, mark their exact position, depth and type on the ground and on the checklist. Establish exclusion zones around live services and brief the excavator operator on their locations.
Install ground support, edge protection and safe access before anyone enters the excavation. Verify spoil storage distance and plant exclusion zones.: For excavations deeper than 1.5 metres, install the designed ground support system (shoring, trench shields or verified battering angle) before any person enters the excavation. Install edge protection (guardrails, barricades or physical barriers) around the entire perimeter to prevent falls into the excavation. Place ladders, ramps or stairs so that no worker in the excavation is more than 9 metres from a point of egress, with the ladder extending at least 1 metre above the excavation edge. Store spoil and materials at least 1 metre from the excavation edge to prevent surcharge loading and material falling into the excavation. Establish plant exclusion zones so that heavy equipment does not operate close enough to the edge to destabilise the walls.
Conduct atmospheric testing if the excavation is deeper than 1.5 metres and atmospheric hazards may be present. Record gas readings on the checklist.: Deep excavations, excavations near landfill, sewer lines, fuel storage or contaminated land, and excavations with poor natural ventilation may contain hazardous atmospheres (oxygen deficiency, flammable gases, toxic gases). Before any person enters, use a calibrated multi-gas detector to test for oxygen (O2), lower explosive limit (LEL), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Record the readings on the checklist. Safe entry levels are: O2 between 19.5% and 23.5%, LEL below 5%, CO below 30 ppm, H2S below 10 ppm. If readings are outside safe levels, ventilate the excavation and re-test before entry. Continuous monitoring is recommended for excavations with known atmospheric risks.
Inspect the excavation daily at the start of each shift and after any significant event. Re-assess controls and record findings on the checklist.: A competent person must inspect the excavation at the start of each work shift and after any event that could affect stability: heavy rain, adjacent excavation or demolition, vibration from pile driving or heavy plant, extended work break (overnight or weekend), or any sign of wall movement or cracking. During the inspection, check the condition of the ground support (no cracking, bulging, leaning or undermining), verify that edge protection is intact, check for water accumulation, confirm access and egress points are clear and serviceable, and review plant exclusion zones. Record the inspection findings on the checklist with the date, time and the competent person name. If any deficiency is found, stop work in the affected area until the issue is rectified.
Backfill and reinstate the excavation when work is complete. Remove support systems in the correct sequence and restore the surface.: When the excavation work is complete, backfill in controlled layers, compacting as specified by the project requirements. Remove shoring or shielding in a controlled sequence, working from the bottom up and never removing support ahead of the backfill level. Restore the surface to the required standard, reinstate any temporary fencing or barriers, and confirm that underground services are intact by visual inspection or pressure test (for water and gas). Complete the final entry on the checklist, noting the backfill date, compaction method, any services reinstated and the competent person sign-off.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

An excavation safety checklist should be completed before any excavation work begins and inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift. Additional inspections are required after heavy rain, adjacent ground disturbance, blasting or pile driving vibration, or any sign of wall instability.

AS 3798 (Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments) and WHS Regulations 2011, Chapter 6, Part 6.4, set out requirements for excavation safety, including benching, battering, shoring and the identification of underground services. Organisations should maintain a register of all open excavations on site, with each excavation linked to its permit, inspection dates and responsible person, so that no excavation is left uninspected overnight or over a weekend.

Frequently asked questions

What are the WHS requirements for excavation work in Australia?: WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4 sets out specific requirements for excavation work. The PCBU must ensure that excavation work is planned and managed to control the risk of collapse, falling into the excavation, and striking underground services. For excavations deeper than 1.5 metres, the regulations require ground support (shoring, shielding or battering to a safe angle) unless a competent person has assessed the ground and confirmed it is stable. Safe access and egress must be provided within 9 metres of any worker. The excavation must be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift. The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice for Excavation Work provides detailed guidance on compliance.
At what depth is shoring required in an excavation?: Under WHS Regulations Chapter 6 Part 6.4, excavations deeper than 1.5 metres generally require ground support unless a competent person has assessed the ground conditions and confirmed that the excavation walls will remain stable without support. Even at depths less than 1.5 metres, support may be required if the soil is unstable, waterlogged, previously disturbed, subject to surcharge loading (from spoil piles, vehicles or nearby structures) or affected by vibration. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (for US operations), protective systems are required for excavations 5 feet (1.5 metres) or deeper, with options including sloping, benching, shoring and shielding. The key principle is that the need for support is determined by the actual ground conditions, not solely by depth.
What is Dial Before You Dig and when must it be used?: Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) is a free national referral service (1100.com.au) that provides plans showing the approximate location of underground infrastructure in a nominated area. Plans are provided by asset owners including electricity, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications and other utilities. DBYD must be used before any excavation work to identify services that may be present. The plans show approximate locations only. Once plans are received, the actual location of services must be confirmed on site using non-destructive methods (hand digging, vacuum excavation, ground penetrating radar) before mechanical excavation begins. DBYD requests should be submitted at least seven business days before work starts.
How close to an underground service can you mechanically excavate?: You must not mechanically excavate within the tolerance zone around an underground service. The tolerance zone varies by service type and jurisdiction but is typically 500 mm either side of the service (or 300 mm for hand-dug exposure). Within the tolerance zone, only non-mechanical methods are permitted: hand digging, vacuum excavation (sucker truck) or hydro excavation. This requirement applies to all services, including electricity, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications. Even outside the tolerance zone, the excavator operator must be briefed on service locations and must proceed with caution. Striking an underground electrical cable can cause electrocution, and striking a gas main can cause an explosion.
Is this excavation safety checklist free to download?: Yes. Download and use this excavation safety checklist for free. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital excavation safety checklists linked to site maps, with photo evidence of ground conditions, automated daily inspection reminders and a complete compliance record for principal contractor audits, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 4678 - Earth-retaining structures
WHS Regulations 2011 - Chapter 6 Part 6.4 (Excavation work)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P - Excavations
AS 1726 - Geotechnical site investigations
Safe Work Australia - Code of Practice: Excavation work
AS 4576 - Guidelines for earthworks for commercial and residential developments

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