This approved code of practice consists of two major parts.

Part One covers trenches and excavations. Fatal accident records relating to trench collapses highlight the need for employees to be protected against such failures. With proper precautions, accidents and injuries can be avoided. This section also includes recommendations intended to assist engineers who may be involved in the design of shoring.

Part Two covers shafts, drives and the construction of large-diameter shafts for piling, where persons enter for inspection or other work purposes.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD
SUMMARY OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT AND REGULATIONS

Regulations
Approved codes of practice
Employers' duties
Hazard management
Information for employees
Employers to involve employees in the development of health and safety procedures
Training of employees
Safety of people who are not employees
Employees' and self-employed persons' duties
Accidents and serious harm (Recording and notification)
Notifiable works

INTRODUCTION

2. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

3. SCOPE

PART ONE: TRENCHES AND OPEN EXCAVATIONS

4. GENERAL SAFETY PROVISIONS

4.1 Legal requirements
4.2 Modes of failure
4.3 General requirements
4.4 Other safety precautions
4.5 Blasting

5. RECOMMENDED SAFE PRACTICES FOR EXCAVATIONS

5.1 Before excavation
5.2 During excavation

6. METHODS OF SHORING

6.1 Protection and support systems
6.2 Safety considerations: Do's and Don'ts
6.3 Trenching: Safety check list

7. OPEN EXCAVATIONS

7.1 General
7.2 Protection and support systems
7.3 Safety considerations

PART TWO: SHAFTS AND DRIVES FOR FOUNDATIONS

9. SCOPE

10. GENERAL

10.1 Safety in shafts and drives
10.2 Shafts and drives associated with mines, quarries or tunnels
10.3 Methods of support
10.4 Site investigation

11. PRECAUTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF DRILLED LARGE-DIAMETER SHAFTS FOR PILING AND OTHER PURPOSES

11.1. General precautions
11.2 Surface equipment and attendance
11.3 Lining through water-bearing and unstable overburden
11.4 Collapse of shaft
11.5 Descent into unlined shafts
11.6 Provision of loose safety lining and other protection
11.7 Emergency procedures
11.8 Safety harnesses
11.9 First aid kit

12. VENTILATION, GAS HAZARDS, SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS

12.1 Checking air quality
12.2 Presence of gas in shafts

APPENDIX: THE BUILDING ACT AND REGULATIONS

Building consent requirements
Building Act 1991
Building Regulations
Acceptable solutions
Other conditions imposed by Territorial Authorities

BIBLIOGRAPHY