NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING WEEK

Posted: 3rd July 2024

Here at BOA Plant, we recognise National Safe Digging Week 2024 – week commencing Monday 8th July.

This week deliberately falls during the UK’s busiest time for digging, with July statistically the highest risk month for excavating. Projects involving any type of digging is at it’s peak, so what better time to bring awareness and focus to the dangers of digging without crucial safety checks and the importance of searching before you dig.

UK law says you must prevent danger to workers in or near excavations. To maintain the required precautions, a competent person must inspect excavation supports or battering at the start of the working shift and at other specified times. No work should take place until the excavation is safe.

No matter how big or small your project, from major construction to revamping your garden, safe digging is an absolute necessity. It is important to know what is beneath you, as well as overhead; ground conditions; nearby structures; trees; wildlife, to mention just a few important considerations BEFORE any ground is broken.

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive has put a concise set of guidelines in place to assist with the recommended checks – these can be viewed here:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/excavations.htm

Happy & SAFE digging!

01525 289 621 | info@boaplant.co.uk | www.boaplant.co.uk