Quality Control Plan Template

Excavation Quality Control Plan Template 2026

Create comprehensive quality control plans for excavation work. Includes inspection test plans (ITPs), hold points, and QA/QC checklists.

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AI creates your complete excavation QCP with ITPs in minutes.

ISO 9001 Aligned

Quality management system principles built in.

Hold Points Defined

Critical inspection points for your specific work scope.

Excavation Quality Checkpoints

ITP Inspection Points

Service location records
Daily excavation inspections
Shoring inspection
Compaction test results
Final dimension verification

Quality Control Measures

Survey and level verification
Underground service location confirmation
Excavation dimensions check
Shoring adequacy inspection
Compaction testing
Final level verification

What's Included in Your Excavation QCP

Quality Control Plan

Project quality objectives
Roles and responsibilities
Document control procedures
Non-conformance management
Corrective action procedures

Inspection Test Plan (ITP)

Activity-specific inspections
Hold, witness & review points
Acceptance criteria
Reference standards
Required documentation

Applicable Standards

OHSA Construction Regulations 2014 (Reg 13)

SANS 10400-H (Excavation)

Service location requirements

ISO 9001 Quality Management

CIDB Requirements (CE, GB)

Excavation Activities Covered

Site survey and setting out

Topsoil stripping

Bulk earthworks

Trench excavation

Foundation excavation

Shoring and support installation

Dewatering

Backfilling and compaction

Excavation Quality Control 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.

QCP Critical Points for Excavation

✓Service detection: maintain a service detection register showing date, method, operator, and results. Photograph every hand-dig trial hole exposure

✓Trench dimensions: verify width and depth against design before any pipe laying or concrete work. Survey data recorded on as-built drawings

✓Shoring inspection: daily by competent person before any person enters. Record condition, bracing integrity, and soil moisture changes

✓Compaction: test per layer with nuclear density gauge or sand replacement method. Achieve ≥95% Mod AASHTO for structural fill, ≥93% for general fill. Record every test

✓Bedding: verify material grading, thickness (typically 100mm), and compaction before pipe placement. Photograph and record for each pipe section

Common Excavation QCP Mistakes to Avoid

✗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 Quality Control

Legislation / Standard	QCP 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 Quality Control Plan FAQ

At what depth must shoring be installed in trenches?

Construction Regulation 13 requires shoring at depths >1.5m unless the sides are battered to a safe angle determined by a competent person based on soil type. For depths >3m, engineer-designed shoring is required regardless of soil conditions.

What compaction standard is required for road earthworks?

SANRAL and COLTO specify ≥95% Modified AASHTO density for structural fill layers (subbase, subgrade) and ≥93% for general fill. Each layer must not exceed 150mm compacted thickness and must be tested individually.

Do I need a geotechnical report for my tender submission?

The client typically provides the geotechnical report in tender documents. Your method statement must reference and respond to its findings — showing how your excavation methodology addresses the identified soil conditions, water table level, and any geotechnical recommendations.

What is the service detection standard for excavation?

Best practice (and most tender requirements) follow a 3-step process: (1) desk study of municipal and utility plans, (2) electromagnetic and ground-penetrating radar survey by a qualified operator, (3) hand-dig trial holes to physically expose any detected services within the excavation zone.

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Excavation Method Statement →Excavation HIRA Template →Excavation Tenders →