Awareness only — does not authorise you to perform this work or replace employer-specific practical training and competent-person assessment.
Ground Works
Excavation & Trenching Safety
UAE excavation hazards, NOCs, GPR scanning, shoring and battering, confined space considerations, and the competent person inspection regime.
v2.0Updated 15 Feb 2026ADOSH-SF v4.1 (February 2026)Learning Objectives
- Identify the UAE authorities requiring NOCs before excavation.
- Apply GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) scanning before breaking ground.
- Select shoring, battering or benching based on soil and depth.
- Recognise when a trench becomes a confined space.
- Conduct the daily competent person inspection.
Awareness Video
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1. NOCs & Utilities
Before any excavation on a UAE site, NOCs are required from DEWA/ADDC/SEWA, Etisalat/du, Empower, ADNOC (fuel lines) and the municipality. Utility drawings are cross-checked with GPR scan. Trial pits by hand-digging expose services.
2. GPR Scanning
GPR is mandatory before breaking ground on brownfield sites. Positive scan = utility present = do not dig until utility is confirmed and de-energised or diverted. Negative scan does not replace hand-digging trial pits.
3. Shoring & Battering
Trenches deeper than 1.2 m require support: shoring (hydraulic props, trench boxes), battering to the angle of repose, or benching. Choice depends on soil type, water table, adjacent loads and depth.
4. Confined Space
Any excavation deeper than 1.2 m with restricted access or potential for atmosphere accumulation (e.g. contaminated ground, adjacent gas main) is a confined space. Confined space PTW, gas monitor, rescue plan and standby person are mandatory.
5. Access & Egress
Ladder within 7.5 m of every worker, secured, extending 1 m above the excavation edge. No jumping in or climbing out on shoring.
6. Competent Person Inspection
Daily inspection by a competent person before shift start, after rain, after any collapse or loading change. Recorded in the excavation register. Excavation red-tagged if any deficiency is found.
Knowledge Assessment
1. NOCs before excavation on a UAE site are required from:
2. GPR scanning is mandatory:
3. Trenches deeper than what depth require support?
4. A trial pit is best excavated by:
5. A ladder in an excavation must be within what distance of every worker?
6. A trench > 1.2 m deep with restricted access is treated as:
7. Excavation inspections must be recorded:
8. If a positive GPR scan is returned:
9. A negative GPR scan means:
10. Battering an excavation means:
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