What must be included in a rams for this work?

Full scope and description of excavation of foundation trenches for new-build and extension construction. Site-specific hazard identification and risk ratings. Risk control: trench collapse during foundation excavation — especially in clay soils after rain. Risk control: striking unexpected underground obstructions or contamination. Risk control: concrete pour operations creating manual handling and contact burn risks. PPE and RPE requirements for all personnel. Emergency procedures and response arrangements. Competency requirements and training records. Communication and briefing procedures. Supervision and monitoring arrangements. Review schedule and sign-off by competent person

RAMS for Foundation Excavation — UK

UK construction-safety guidance by the Riskora Editorial Team

Anyone planning foundation excavation on a UK site faces the same starting question: how is the work going to be controlled? Excavation works carry one of the highest fatality rates in UK construction, driven by collapses, service strikes, and falls into open trenches. In the case of foundation excavation, the regulatory anchor is straightforward — CDM 2015 requires a RAMS for all foundation work. That is what a RAMS for this work is for: turning the regulations and the site-specific risks into a single, briefable document.

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Example RAMS

Full scope and description of excavation of foundation trenches for new-build and extension construction
Site-specific hazard identification and risk ratings
Risk control: trench collapse during foundation excavation — especially in clay soils after rain
Risk control: striking unexpected underground obstructions or contamination

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When This Document Is Required

CDM 2015 requires a RAMS for all foundation work. Building control will expect evidence of safe working methods as part of the construction notification. The RAMS must address trench support, dewatering, and concrete placement.

What Must Be Included

Full scope and description of excavation of foundation trenches for new-build and extension construction
Site-specific hazard identification and risk ratings
Risk control: trench collapse during foundation excavation — especially in clay soils after rain
Risk control: striking unexpected underground obstructions or contamination
Risk control: concrete pour operations creating manual handling and contact burn risks
PPE and RPE requirements for all personnel
Emergency procedures and response arrangements
Competency requirements and training records
Communication and briefing procedures
Supervision and monitoring arrangements
Review schedule and sign-off by competent person

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a generic template without adapting it to the specific excavation of foundation trenches for new-build and extension construction conditions
Not reviewing the document when site conditions change
Missing sign-off from a competent person before work begins
Failing to consider trench collapse during foundation excavation — especially in clay soils after rain
Not addressing striking unexpected underground obstructions or contamination
Not briefing all workers on the document content before work starts

Example Scenario

In one recent case, a main contractor's site team has been appointed to carry out this work and the principal contractor has asked for a fully documented RAMS before site access is granted. They walk through the guided builder, accept the suggested hazards for foundation excavation that fit, override the ones that do not, capture the project details in one pass, and send the finished document straight from Riskora to the client. The finished document explicitly addresses trench collapse during foundation excavation — especially in clay soils after rain, which the principal contractor would otherwise expect to see written into the pack.

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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.

Riskora is an assistive document preparation tool. All documents generated must be reviewed, verified, and approved by a competent person before use on site. Riskora does not replace professional safety judgment, and no output should be treated as a legal compliance guarantee.