Excavation, Earthwork and Filling Method Statement

WORK PROCEDURE
SUBJECT:
EXCAVATION, EARTHWORK AND FILLING

BY:
QA/QC ENGINEER
APPROVED BY:
QEHS MANAGER

ACTION
1.

VERIFY

SCOPE
This procedure provides a standardised framework for the
control of excavation, earthwork and filling to ensure
compliance with conditions of contract and contract
specifications.

2.

PROCEDURE

.1

All excavation, earthwork and filling will be carried out in

accordance with the specification detailed in the project
contract documentation. In any circumstances where
specifications are not provided or they are in any way
incomplete, the matter shall be referred back to consultant
for additional information.

.2

Method Statement
A method statement will be prepared and approved where
deemed necessary, and may include:

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)

Site plan showing the location of spoil heaps for

temporary storage and if appropriate permanent
storage area.
Type of plant and equipment to be used.
Means for keeping excavations free of water.
Method of trench supports.
Method and sequence of excavation to ensure that
no damage is caused to adjoining structures and
property. If there is potential for damage to adjoining
structures and property, the type of preventative
measures should be indicated.
Temporary
support
arrangement
of
adjacent
structures and services passing through the site.
Method of compacting fill and testing procedure.
Health and Safety requirements.
Any other special requirements.

Project
Manage
r

Project
Manage
r

Method
Statemen
t

.3

.4

Existing Utilities
i)

Liaise with all public utility companies e.g. water,

electricity, telephone sewerage and surface water
etc. to ensure that all the available information on
the location of utilities and underground services
through and adjacent to the site of the excavation is
obtained.

ii)

Ensure that utilities and underground services are

located on site using markings, which are clearly
visible. Ensure those plant operators and operatives
involved with the activity are fully aware of the
location of the various utilities and underground
services and their respective depths.

iii)

Where deemed necessary, excavate trial holes to

establish the precise location and depth of services.

iv)

Plant operators must be aware of overhead cables.

Use height control indicators where necessary.

Markings
Project
Enginee
r
Trial
Holes
Project
Enginee
r

Survey
Site
Engr./
Surveyo
r

Disposal of Surplus Excavated Material

Prior to any surplus excavated material being removed from
the site, documentary evidence of approval to tip must be
obtained
beforehand
from
the
relevant
government/municipal departments and the owner of the
land where the material is to be tipped.

.6

Drawing/
N.O.C.

Site Survey and Grid of Levels

Prior to commencement of any excavation work, a level
survey will be carried out to confirm the information
included on the contract drawings and to provide an
accurate record of existing ground levels for the calculation
of quantities.

.5

Project
Manage
r

Adjoining Structures and Property

Prior to the commencement of excavation work, a detailed
dilapidation survey will be undertaken to record the existing

Approval
to Tip
Project
Manage
r

This survey should be carried out in co-ordination with and

involving
the
participation
of
the
Consultants
representative
and
the
representative
of
the
owners/occupiers of the adjacent property.

.7

Dilapidatio
n

Survey

Survey

Excavation Work
i)

Excavation shall be allowed to progress to the

designed formation level less 50mm (unless specified
otherwise). The remaining 50mm shall be carried out
by further careful excavation to avoid disturbing the
formation level.

Project
Enginee
r

ii)

After reaching the designed formation level,

Consultants representative shall be requested in
writing to inspect and approve the formation prior to
the commencement of any subsequent activities.

QA/QC
Project
Enginee
r/

iii)

Great care shall be taken to minimise noise, vibration

and dust pollution, which can cause nuisance and
damage, particularly if the site is located in a built-up
area.

iv)

.8

Const.
Manage
r

Sides of all excavations should be properly supported

using an appropriate method as detailed in the
Method Statement.

Filling
i)

ii)

iii)

Prior to commencement of filling, the Consultants

representative shall be requested in writing to
inspect and approve the fill starting level.
Filling shall be carried out using approved materials
in accordance with the specification which can either
be selected from the material on site or imported
from selected and approved sources.
Filling shall be carried out as per approved method
and as per the contract specification.

Site
Safety
Project
Enginee
r/Site
Safety

Inspection
Request

Method
Statement
Method
Statement

Inspection
Request

QA/QC

Project
Enginee
r
Project
Enginee
r

Source
Document
s
Method
Statement

PROJECT:

SITE NO.:

CHECK SHEET FOR EXCAVATION AND FILL TO FORMATION

SUBCONTRACTOR

Sheet No.

MAIN CONTRACTOR

SECTION OF WORK _____________________________ LOCATION _________________

STAGE
EXCAVATION
TO FORMATION

ITEM
1. Record existing GLs before excavation.
2. Check level profiles.
3. Check for location of buried utilities e.g.
foundations, drains, cables, duct, telephone
lines,
sewerage lines.
4. Check temporary support/batters to sides
of
excavation.
5. Record soft spots, obstructions,
groundwater etc.
and how dealt with.
6. Check suitability of formation including test
results (CBRs, PLT etc).
7. Check and record final levels.
8. Obtain consultants approval for founding
level.
9. Check approval to tip.

FILL TO
FORMATION

Checked
by
SE
SU
SE
SE/SSO
SE
SE
SU
QA/QC
PE

APPROVAL TO PROCEED

CM

1.
2.
or

SU

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Record existing GLs before fill.

Check existing services located, protected
raised as specified.
Check level profiles.
Check fill material is as specified.
Record source and approval.
Check fill material laid and compacted to
specification. Record test results.
Check final levels and record.
Obtain consultants approval.

APPROVAL TO PROCEED

DATE

SE
SU
PE
PE
SU
QA/QC
CM

CM Construction Manager, QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control, PE - Project

Engineer, SE - Site Engineer, SU Surveyor, SSO Site Safety Officer