Excavation Method Statement Template 2026
Create OHSA-compliant excavation method statements for South African tenders. Covers Site survey and setting out, Topsoil stripping, Bulk earthworks, and more.
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AI generates your complete excavation method statement in under 2 minutes.
OHSA Compliant
Meets Construction Regulations 2014 and OHSA Construction Regulations 2014 (Reg 13) requirements.
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Download as PDF or Word. Ready for tender submission.
What's Included in a Excavation Method Statement
Standard Sections
- Excavation Plan
- Underground Service Location
- Excavation Sequence
- Shoring and Support
- Access and Egress
- Dewatering Measures
- Backfill Specification
- Safety Measures
Common Activities Covered
- Site survey and setting out
- Topsoil stripping
- Bulk earthworks
- Trench excavation
- Foundation excavation
- Shoring and support installation
- Dewatering
- Backfilling and compaction
Excavation Hazards & Safety Requirements
Common Hazards
- •Trench collapse/cave-in
- •Falling into excavations
- •Underground service strikes
- •Flooding and water ingress
- •Vehicle and plant accidents
- •Hazardous atmospheres
- •Manual handling injuries
- •Noise and vibration
Required PPE
- •Hard hat
- •Safety boots (steel toe)
- •High-visibility vest
- •Gloves
- •Safety glasses
- •Hearing protection
- •Respiratory protection (as needed)
Applicable Regulations & Standards
CIDB Classes applicable: CE, GB
Excavation Method Statements in South Africa
Excavation and earthworks are governed by the OHSA Construction Regulations 2014 (Regulation 13) and to the SANS 10400-B for foundation work. Excavation work is consistently in the top 5 causes of construction fatalities in South Africa, primarily from trench collapses and striking underground services. Government infrastructure tenders for roads (SANRAL), water (DWS), and municipal services always require detailed excavation method statements. Key requirements include: service detection methodology (using GPR, EM locators, and plans), shoring/battering calculations signed by a competent person (or Pr.Eng for >3m deep), dewatering plans, and spoil management. CIDB classes CE or GB apply. Geotechnical reports are typically provided by the client in tender documents, and your method statement must reference and respond to the reported soil conditions. Compaction testing per TMH1 (Technical Methods for Highways) is mandatory for all fill work on road and infrastructure projects.
Method Statement Writing Tips for Excavation
Tip 1: Start with your service detection methodology: describe the 3-step process (plans search → EM/GPR survey → hand-dig trial holes within 1m of detected services)
Tip 2: Reference the geotechnical report and show how your excavation method addresses the identified soil conditions (rock, clay, sand, water table level)
Tip 3: Specify battering or shoring for different trench depths: vertical cuts <1.5m in stable ground only, battering 1:1 for clay, 1:3 for sand, engineered shoring >3m
Tip 4: Detail your dewatering method (wellpoints, sump pumps) and how you manage discharge water to avoid environmental impact per NEMA Water Act requirements
Tip 5: For backfill and compaction, specify layer thickness (max 150mm for structural fill), compaction equipment by layer, and testing frequency per TMH1
Common Mistakes in Excavation Method Statements
Relying only on plans to locate underground services without physical verification — plans are often inaccurate by up to 2m
Entering trenches >1.5m without shoring in place — the most common fatal mistake in SA excavation work. "The soil looks stable" is not a risk assessment
Not specifying compaction layer thickness and testing frequency — achieving overall compaction without layer-by-layer testing does not meet COLTO or TMH1 standards
Failing to address dewatering disposal — pumping turbid water into stormwater drains or watercourses triggers NEMA Water Act offences
Using road base material requirements for pipe bedding — these are different specifications and mixing them up is a common tender error
Key Legislation for Excavation Method Statements
| Regulation / Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OHSA Construction Regulations 2014, Reg 13 | Excavations: requires competent person supervision, shoring for >1.5m in unstable ground, barricading, edge protection, safe access, daily inspections, and engineer design for >3m deep. |
| TMH1 (Technical Methods for Highways) | Standard test methods for road materials including compaction testing (Mod AASHTO), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), grading analysis, and Atterberg limits. |
| COLTO Standard Specifications | Committee of Land Transport Officials specifications for roadworks and earthworks. Defines material classes, compaction requirements, and construction tolerances used in all SANRAL tenders. |
| NEMA National Water Act 36 of 1998 | Dewatering discharge and turbid water management near watercourses requires a Water Use Licence or General Authorisation. Construction stormwater management plan required. |
Excavation Method Statement FAQ
At what depth must shoring be installed in trenches?
What compaction standard is required for road earthworks?
Do I need a geotechnical report for my tender submission?
What is the service detection standard for excavation?
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