The obligation
PCBUs must manage excavation risks before work starts, including falls into, collapse of, falling objects in, and airborne contaminants in an excavation.
The risk management process covers identifying hazards, managing risks, the hierarchy of control measures, and maintaining and reviewing controls, with WHS Regulation 305 addressing excavation risks. Relevant matters include the nature of the excavation, the possible methods of doing the work, and the means of entry into and exit from the excavation. Where a hazard's risk and effective controls are already well known, the controls can be implemented without a formal risk assessment.
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- What
- PCBUs must manage excavation risks before work starts, including falls into, collapse of, falling objects in, and airborne contaminants in an excavation.
- Source
- safework.sa.gov.au
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excavation
trench collapse
risk control
hierarchy of controls
WHS
SA
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Risk Management Obligations for Excavation Work (SA) is a WHS requirement set out in Excavation work (SA). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). The relevant provision is Excavation work > Risk management.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Risk Management Obligations for Excavation Work (SA) is a WHS obligation under Excavation work (SA). In short, PCBUs must manage excavation risks before work starts, including falls into, collapse of, falling objects in, and airborne contaminants in an excavation.
What changed recently?
Risk Management Obligations for Excavation Work (SA) was last updated on 9 October 2026.
