RISK – Falls. Untrained people accessing the area
The distance of a barrier from the edge of an excavation or trench will depend on the nature of the excavation work being carried out.
As a general rule, barricading should be placed at a minimum 1m outside the zone of influence.
Do not enter any barricaded area unless you have received permission from the person in control of that area (e.g. a Spotter, Supervisor or Exclusion Control Officer).
If barricading is being used to protect people from a fall risk, the barricade must be erected at least 2m back from the edge of the excavation.
Regular checks must be made to ensure barricade integrity is maintained and it is effective in preventing unauthorised access.
For more guidance on the types of barricading required, refer to guidance in GMR 2.4.
Where excavations cannot be backfilled, barricading needs to consider the potential for unauthorised public access.
Related GMRs
Related Procedures / Forms