An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What an excavation permit is
An excavation permit is a controlled authorisation for digging, trenching or breaking ground, confirming that buried services have been located, the sides will be supported or battered, and people and vehicles are kept clear of the edge. It links the work to the precautions needed to prevent collapse, contact with services and falls into the excavation.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides which excavation work needs a permit and what it must record.
Purpose
- Authorise excavation only after services and ground risks are assessed.
- Confirm support, battering or shoring and edge protection are planned.
- Set out how buried services were located and avoided.
- Record that the dig was controlled and inspected.
Who completes it
- An authorised issuer competent in excavation risk.
- The person leading the dig, who accepts the conditions.
- A competent person inspects the excavation as required.
- The employer decides who is competent to issue, accept and inspect.
When it is used
- Before excavation, trenching or breaking ground begins.
- Where buried services, unstable ground or deep digging are possible.
- For a stated period, with inspection kept up as the dig proceeds.
- Whenever the employer’s system designates the task as permit-controlled.
Typical fields
- Permit number, location, depth and extent of the excavation.
- Service location method, drawings and detection results.
- Support, battering or shoring and edge or barrier protection.
- Access, spoil placement and vehicle exclusion arrangements.
- Issuer and acceptor signatures, and inspection sign-offs.
- Example fields only — adapt to the ground, the services and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Digging before services are located and physically confirmed.
- Unsupported sides that can collapse without warning.
- Spoil, plant or loads placed too close to the excavation edge.
- No inspection regime as conditions and weather change.
Document workflow
An excavation permit is typically raised under the permit to work system after a risk assessment, and overlaps closely with a ground disturbance permit and a permit to dig. A confined space entry permit may apply once a deep excavation behaves as a confined space.
See the related documents below for what is commonly required before, used with and completed after an excavation permit.
Retention (high level)
Completed excavation permits are usually kept for a period afterwards as a record of how the dig was controlled, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Excavation permits are commonly completed, signed and stored as PDFs alongside service drawings. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the permit official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Define which excavation work needs a permit and how services are located.
- Ensure support, edge protection and exclusion are planned before digging.
- Arrange competent inspection of the excavation at the right intervals.
- Keep completed permits and service records together as evidence.
Worker notes
- Do not dig without a valid permit and confirmed service locations.
- Keep clear of unsupported sides and away from the edge.
- Stop and report any sign of collapse, water or an unexpected service.
Country considerations
Rules on excavation, service avoidance and inspection vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling excavation risk, for competent inspection, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any work and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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