PROJECT RISK ASSESSMENT - EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING

Assessors Signature
COMPANY NAME: MUSA G MATHEBULA HOLDING PTY LTD ASSESSMENT DETAILS: Excavation and Trenching
RISK ASSESSOR NAME: CHARLY NKOMO ASSESSMENT DATE: 19/02/2024

STANDARD RISK MATRIX Hazard Effect / Consequence

No impact on overall project May result in overall project May result in overall project May result in overall project May result in overall project
Timeline timeline timeline overrun of less than 5% timeline overrun of between timeline overrun of between timeline overrun of 50% or
5% and less than 20% 20% and less than 50% more
Less than R5m R5m to less than R50m R50M to less than R500m R500m to R5b R5b or more
Investment Return – NPV loss

No impact on quality Minimal quality issues that can be Some quality issues that Significant quality issues that Significant quality issues that
addressed in a short timeframe requires immediate requires senior project requires sponsorship
Quality with minimal interactions management action management interaction intervention with significant
resource and cost implications
for rework
First aid case / Exposure to Medical treatment case / Exposure Lost time injury / Reversible Single fatality or loss of quality Multiple fatalities / Impact on
Safety & Health – Hazard/Risk minor health risk to major health risk impact on health of life / Irreversible impact on health ultimately fatal
health
Minimal environmental harm – Material environmental harm – L2 Serious environmental harm – Major environmental harm – L2 Extreme environmental harm –
Environment – Aspect/Impact L1 incident incident remediable short term L2 incident remediable within incident remediable post LOM L3 incident irreversible
LOM
No legal impact Minor legal concerns with minor Some legal concerns with Serious legal concerns and Legal non-compliance with risk
Legal & Regulatory impact manageable level of impact significant impact on operations of shutdown of operations with
significant cost impacts

Likelihood Risk Rating

The unwanted event has occurred

5
frequently; has a 90% and higher 11 Medium 16 Significant 20 Significant 23 High 25 High
Almost Certain
probability of reoccurring
The unwanted event has a probability
4
of between 60% and less than 90% of 7 Medium 12 Medium4 17 Significant 21 High 24 High
Likely
occurring
The unwanted event has a probability
3
of between 30% and less than 60% of 4 Low 8 Medium 13 Significant 18 Significant 22 High
Possible
occurring
The unwanted event has a probability
2
of between 1% and less than 30% of 2 Low 5 Low 9 Medium 14 Significant 19 Significant
Unlikely
occurring
The unwanted event has never
1
occurred, has a probability of less than 1 Low 3 Low 6 Medium 10 Medium 15 Significant
Rare
1% of occurring
1 2 3 4 5
Consequence
Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic

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 Residual
Risk Rating Action
No Task Hazard Risk / Consequences Existing & Proposed control Measures Risk Rating
assigned to
L C RR L C RR

1 Trenching Impact with plant and Damaging other utilities. At all stages of the excavation, a competent person
underground services. Striking yourself or someone must supervise the work and the workers given clear
else with digging tools. instructions on working safely in the excavation. If
plant is being used above the trench, then no
4 4 21 operatives should be in the trench when the machine 2 4 14
is in use. Area must be scanned for underground
services & permit to excavate issued before work
commences. Hand digging only in the vicinity of
underground services.
2 Trenching Lone Working Injuries Excavation work is a minimum two-man operation.
4 4 21 Out of hours working is still a two-man operation by 2 4 14
competent personnel.
3 Trenching Vehicles and traffic collisions Personal Injury, disability, or Vehicles should be kept away as far as possible using
/Excavation possible fatality warning signs & barriers forming pedestrian routes.
Multiple Staff Injury, Area should be illuminated at night.
disability, or possible fatality. 4 4 21 2 4 14
Accident, possibly fatal.
Damage to property.

4 Trenching Hazardous substances in ground Personal Injury and Any hazards found before or after work has started
/Excavation disability. should be registered in the inspection report and
Multiple Staff Injury. 2 4 14 remedial measures taken by contractors. Exhaust 2 3 9
fumes should not be sited near the top of the
excavation.
5 Trenching with Digging with picks & spades - Damaging other utilities. Trenching training provided.
Hand Tools dust-over. Exertion -underground Striking yourself or someone Supervision at all times
utilities. else with digging tools. 2 4 14 Keep eyes on target and concentrate. PPE to be worn 2 3 9
at all times. Water shall be used to limit the amount of
dust.

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6 Personal Protective The requirements of specific PPE Injuries PPE requires to be assessed by Construction
Equipment [PPE]. not assessed. manager/supervisor to include but not limited to the
PPE not issued to employees. follows:
• Hardhat
PPE not worn.
• Overalls
PPE in bad state of repair. • Reflector vest.
• Safety shoes.
5 3 20 • Eye protection
2 3 9
• Ear protection.
• Dust mask.
• Gloves.

PPE will be issued against a signature; and

PPE will be inspected monthly and copies of issue and
inspection will be kept on site.
7 Barricading No barricading, open holes and Public unaware of open PPE to be worn at all times. Use hand tools with core.
trenches trenches causing injury. 2 5 19 2 3 9
Damage to vehicles.
8 Excavations Public, personnel and fauna Personal Injury and Barricading and barriers
injury disability. Notification
Traffic hazards Multiple Staff Injury. Minimise open trench
Night-time hazards Procedures and processes to avoid trench entry
Underground services such as Lighting 2 3 9
power, water, Surveillance and/or security
telecommunications Shoring
Pipe damage Minimise trench depth where possible
9 Excavation Moving plant collapsed Injury / Fatality Ensure that all operators and supervisors are trained
excavation Ensure regular usage of respirators or dust masks
Working in confined spaces Suffocation by soil when working in manholes
Unfit operator Inhalation of gasses Ensure that all open areas are barricaded properly
Exposure to dust during Accidents / damage to Adhere to safe working procedure at all operations
excavation property Ensure proper barricading of excavtions
Exposure to noise of machinery Dust inhalation 4 3 12 Ensure that all operators are declared fit by an 2 3 6
Open areas Hearing loss Occupational Medicine Practitioner.
Injuries/fatality Provide all employees with dust masks or use wet
method
Provide employees with ear plugs and train them on
how to use them
Safe working procedures must be adhere to.

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10 Loading and §Falls from height Injury / Fatality Safe lift plan in place for lifts by mobile crane.
unloading Crushing Operator trained to the approved standard
Vehicles should never be overloaded. Load should be
evenly distributed, secured and not protruding
beyond the sides or back of the vehicle.
Ground workers to wear high visibility vest at all times
and hard-hats.
5 3 12 Warning signs will be wear erected to alert 4 2 9
pedestrians of unloading/Loading Operations.
Ground workers to keep clear of plant at all times and
not to approach until signaled to do so by the trained
operations are underway.
All plant and equipment will be equipped.
The use of mobile phones will be prohibited during
lifting operations.
11 Laying pipes Entrapment due to fall/roll of Damage to property Operator trained to the approved standard as per the
pipe. construction regulation.
Operators direct field of vision Hand injuries Vehicles should never be overloaded. Loads should be
obscured by load leading to evenly distributed, secured and not protruding
contact with other persons or Back injury beyond the sides or back of the vehicle.
plant. Heavy duty gloves to be worn by operatives handling
Failure of lifting equipment. skids.
Inadequate supervision. Body injury to fatality All engines guards and covers to be in position and
Untrained operatives secured.
Use of mobile phones by 5 3 15 Loads to be tipped only on suitably level ground to 3 3 9
operators. prevent overturning of skip.
Displacement of load Traffic management must be in place where
Person being struck by loading/unloading is being carried out on public roads.
suspended pipe causing serious
injury of harm.
Defective and broken skids
causing crushing of limbs of
entrapment of body parts.
Manual Handling.
12 Excavation Exposure to dust during Environmental Implement the use of wet method to reduce dust
excavation Pollution emissions
Respiratory track disorder Train all workers on symptoms of occupational lung
disease
Provide all workers with relevant PPE
4 3 12 2 3 6
Train all workers on usage of respiratory protection
devices
Enforce usage of respiratory protection devices during
cutting and / or splitting of bricks.
Provide periodic lung function testing

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13 Excavation Exposure to excessive noise and NIHL Conduct induction to alert employees on all risks
possible vibration Hand arm associated with their tasks.
Vibration Ensure regular maintenance of mobile plant to reduce
Environmental noise noise.
Provide employees exposed to noise with ear plugs
including the operator and ensure that they are
4 3 12 trained on how to use them. 2 3 5
Encourage employees to report any discomfort to
their supervisor.
Enforce the usage of safety gloves to reduce the
vibration.
Ensure that all machineries are well maintained to
reduce vibration and noise.
14 Excavation Moving machinery Injury/ fatality Ensure that all operators and supervisors are trained.
Ensure clear operational sites.
Incompetent operator Damage to property Maintain speed limit.
Periodic medical examination to ensure good visibility,
good physical and psychologically fitness of operators.
Daily pre-inspection must be conducted by a
5 3 15 3 3 9
competent person on all equipment before use.
Provide appropriate lights and or reflectors where
plant are left unattended.
Adhere to all operating procedures.
Ensure daily inspections of open excavations.
Ensure that the excavator is well maintained.
15 Excavation Manual excavation Hand injuries Train all workers on correct load handling of heavy
Back injury objects e.g. usage of leg lift instead of back lift,
incorrect body posture etc.
Using defective shovels and picks Body injury to fatality Encourage all workers to report any unfit condition or
ergonomic related condition or ergonomic related
condition to prevent injury.
Ensure supervision by construction supervisor during
lifting of stockpile.
3 3 9 2 3 6
Provide a reasonably practicable works pace to
prevent work fatigue and unnecessary muscle
stretching.
Ensure that all tools are inspected daily prior to use.
Ensure that all defective tools are removed from the
site.
Adhere to safe working procedures.
Provide employees with relevant PPE.

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16 Excavation Manual handling of pipes Back injury Ensure good housekeeping to prevent slipping tripping
Musculoskeletal disorder and falling.
osteoarthritis Tendonitis Train all workers on correct load handling of heavy
objects e.g. usage of leg lift instead of back lift,
incorrect body posture etc.
Encourage all workers to report any unfit condition or
ergonomic related condition to prevent injury.
4 3 12 Ensure supervision by construction supervisor during 2 3 6
lifting of stock pile.
Provide a reasonably practicable works pace to
prevent work fatigue and unnecessary muscle
stretching.
Adhere to all operating procedures.
Ensure usage of relevant PPE.

17 Excavation Dust during excavation Hand injuries Ensure supervision by construction supervisor.
Back injury Ensure that all tools are inspected daily prior to use.
Body injury Ensure that all defective tools are removed from the
3 3 9 2 3 6
site.
Adhere to safe working procedures.
Provide employees with relevant PPE
18 Excavation Usage of defective hand tools Hand injuries Ensure supervision by construction supervisor.
Back injury Ensure that all tools are inspected daily prior to use.
Body injury Ensure that all defective tools are removed from the
3 3 9 2 3 6
site.
Adhere to safe working procedures.
Provide employees with relevant PPE.
19 Excavation Dust during excavation Environmental pollution Train all workers on symptoms occupational lung
respiratory track disorder. disease
Provide all workers with relevant PPE.
Enforce usage of respiratory protection devices during
4 3 12 2 3 6
cutting and/or splitting of bricks
Train all workers on usage of respiratory protection
devices.
Provide periodic lung function testing.
20 Excavation with Failure to identify underground Caving in stress loading the Ensure excavation work permit shall be taken from
help earth moving services. soil, excavated material close local authority in place prior to start activity.
equipment Failure to follow excavation
Property damage Manual trail pit to locate or identify underground
(underground services) services.
4 3 12 4 1 4
Cable avoidance to locate underground services prior
to start excavation.

Regular maintenance

PPE should wear all the time.

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21 Excavation Failure to remove excavation soil Stress loading the soil, Excavated material shall be removed from edge of
excavated material close to trench before entering in trench.
Vibration from other edges Excavated soil shall be kept 1 meter away from the
construction equipment. edge of trench.
Operative trap due to Daily inspection trench by supervisor.
Poor slope/ Benching collapse of trench. Ensure construction machinery with vibration shall
3 3 9 3 1 3
stopped if operative working inside trench.
Ensure excavation is stopped or bench as per soil
condition.
Emergency rescue plan should be on plan.
Toolbox talk, training.
Excavation checklist.
22 Excavation Failure to provide audible reverse Property damage due to Construction vehicle/ machinery shall be inspected
alarm, beacon light and mirror. collision. prior to deploy on site and ensure reverse alarm,
3 3 9 mirror and beacon light is in working condition. 3 1 3
Lack of reinspection
Toolbox talk, training should be implemented.
Insufficient barricade and traffic Injury to employee working Barricade and signage around loading area.
signs at loading area. on site due to struck with Flagman shall be present on site to provide direction /
machinery/ vehicle. signal to operator / driver.
Stress loading the soil excavated 4 3 12 Ensure vehicle shall be 1 meter away from the edge of 4 1 4
material close to edges. trench while loading soil.
Ensure no none inside the trench while off excavating
trench.
Loading excavated Mechanical failure Property damage due to Vehicle maintenance as per manufacturer’s
23
soil overturn. recommendation. Loading as per vehicle capacity and
Overturn due to overloading and 3 3 9 in the center of vehicle. 3 1 3
loose / uneven ground condition Injury / Fatality Offloading at level and compacted ground
while offloading material
Poor supervision Injury / property damage Supervisor must be available on site for excavation
activity.
3 3 9 3 1 3
Safe excavation training shall be provided to
supervisor and engineer prior to start activity.

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24 Backfilling and Fall from elevated heights. Stress loading the soil, Inspect site to be worked on and assess the hazards
compaction Striking persons or objects falling excavated material close to prior to start backfilling activities.
debris vehicles overturning. edges. Ensure barricading in place to prevent unauthorized
Manual handling. Poor planning persons or animal away.
Collision with vehicle use of
machinery. Serious injury to workers and Flagman to be provided for plant equipment’s.
Noise dangers of underground possible fatality.
services. Trained competent persons to use the machines.
Movements of vehicle. Damage to both plant and
Workers walking walking behind structures. Machine to be checked daily for any defects which
machines while operating. must be corrected before the machine start work.
Defective machinery /plant. Possible serious injury to
Poor visibility of plant / workers. Daily checklist to be used on all plant and machinery.
machinery operator. Checks to be done by trained competent persons.
Unauthorized use of compaction Workers can be run over, or
equipment. structures can be damaged. Ensuring that everyone in the immediate area is
Plant/ machinery falling into aware of the machines operrating.
edges of manual handling
backfilling area. If operator vision is restricted a flagman to be used.
Immobilize(remove keys) all equipment to prevent
4 4 16 4 1 4
unauthorized person from attempting to use it.
Only trained competent persons are permitted to use
the equipment/plants.
Correct personal protective equipment to be used
always while operating the machines.
Site inspection by a responsible engineer and daily
backfilling activities must be monitored.
Ensure that heavy machines are kept away from the
edges of backfilled area.
Only trained competent persons are permitted to use
the equipment/plants.
Daily inspection to be carried out for equpment’s.
Check and ensure the functionality of machine horn,
reverse horn, flashing lights.
Always ensure the safe system of work.

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25 Working in adverse Heat stress, heat exhaustion, Lack of monitoring Ensure that the required training and education is
weather conditions heat stroke provided and education is provided and undertaken
by supervisors, first aiders and employees.
Ensuring engineering control measures are
implemented to eliminate the risk of heat exposure as
far as reasonably practicable.
Ensuring an effective heat stress program is
implemented.
Ensuring availability of drinking water to all workers
and ensure the availability of rehydration drinks at
site.
Ensuring that work is self-placed and provide
appropriate rest breaks for the heat stress conditions.
Ensuring that workers suffering a suspected case of
4 3 12 heat illness have immediate access to medical 4 1 4
attention.
Allowing non-acclimatized workers( new arrivals or
workers returning from vacation) time to acclimatize
for 5 -7 days before starting hard work in a hot
environment in summer.
Eating a well -balanced diet and adding a little extra
salt to their meals.
Recognizing the signs of heat illness. The hazards of
consuming alcohol, tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks
which may increase fluid loss.
Explanation of the self-assessment of hydration using
the urine charts.
The importance of rest and recovery and getting good
night’s sleep

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