COMPANY NAME

LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Method Statement Information - please delete before use

Method Statement Examples
The following document is an example of a Method Statement carried out for a
specific task and should be used as a guide to help you complete your Method
Statement. Such document should be completed by a competent person. Please
ensure you amend any safe systems of work to suit your organisation and
environmental details. For more information on how to create a Method
Statement please go to https://www.hsdirect.co.uk/free-info/method-
statement.html or call us on 0114 2444461.

Other required documentation

This document should then be used in conjunction with an associated Risk
Assessment and and related COSHH assessments for any associated chemicals
to provide a comprehensive set of safety documentation for the task you are
carrying out.

Personalising the document

The logo, Task Description, Location, Date of review, Company address, etc are
in the document header. To change these details simply double click over the top
of the logo which will open the header and footer for editing. If you experience
any difficulty personalising this document get in touch.

Disclaimer
All information and advice is given in good faith. We cannot accept any
responsibility for your subsequent acts or omissions. If you have any doubts
queries or concerns, you should refer to the relevant regulations and take further
professional advice. Please delete all red text prior to use. If you are still unsure
and/or you are dealing with tasks of a very hazardous nature we advise that you
seek further professional advice.

DO NOT PROVIDE THIS PAGE TO YOUR CLIENT

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Project / Contract

Contractor

Site Address

Project Start Date

Expected Duration

Projected Completed Date

Name Title Signature Date

Document
Author

Emergency Contact Details

Contact

Tel

Mobile

Data Protection Statement

The information and data provided herein shall not be duplicated, disclosed or
disseminated by the recipient in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever
without the prior written permission from YOUR COMPANY

Use this page to highlight the significant hazards your staff and others will be
exposed to, also highlight the most important preventative/control measures that
must be taken, HAZARDS and CONTROL MEASURES will be taken from your RISK
ASSESSMENT. You can also highlight quality and environmental issues. The
following are examples; please delete/enter your own

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Staff Information Sheet

Please read the entire sheet before beginning the procedure, if you have any questions
please contact your manager or safety representative.

The following method statement has been developed to provide a safe system of
work and must be adhered to at all times, any significant deviation from this
system must first be authorised by your manager or safety representative.
Please read the entire sheet before beginning the procedure, if you have any
questions please contact your manager or safety representative.
The main hazards to your safety and health are:
1. Falling from height.
2. Injury from incorrect manual handling.
3. Injury from slips, trips and falls.
4. Injury from the incorrect actions of other contractors on site.
5. Injury to members of the public during operations.
6. Injury from machine hazards.
7. Exposure to vibration.
Preventative measures you must take:
1. You must be competent to carry out the task.
2. You must be competent and have received training in the task.
3. Barriers and/or warning signs must be placed around the work area, where risk
assessment has deemed necessary.
4. Visitors and other members of staff are prohibited from entry unless accompanied by a
competent person; all visitors will be issued with personal protective equipment where
appropriate.
5. You must not lift beyond your capabilities, get help if necessary.
6. You must follow all directions given by the manager or his agents.
Personal protective equipment you must wear:
1. Hard hat (at all times outside)
2. Safety boots (at all times)
3. Hi-visibility vests (when working on building site or near the highway)
4. Hearing protection (when operating machinery)
5. Overalls
Environmental protection measures you must take:
1. You must dispose of waste and packaging to the designated area provided for waste.
2. Hazardous substances and packaging must be disposed of in compliance with
manufacturer and local authority guidance.
3. Consideration must be given to potential for exposure to asbestos in buildings
constructed before 2000.
Quality Control
1. Adhere strictly to the following procedure to ensure quality of service.

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

2. If in doubt contact your manager for clarification before proceeding.

Add in other relevant sections such as the items listed below. Your risk assessment will
tell you which control procedures must be in place (remove any that do not apply to you).

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

General Precautions
List all the different aspects of the task and under each heading explain how you
will control the significant hazards, if you think about this part carefully you may
be able to produce a generic document that will cover you for the majority of
tasks you do, just changing the step by step procedure for each different task.
Staff and Training
The works will be carried out by staff from YOUR COMPANY. All members of staff are
experienced and have been deemed competent to carry out tasks requested of them. List
your staff qualifications; e.g. CSCS, PASMA, PAL / IPAF, City and Guilds etc. A responsible
person will be appointed to each job who will supervise all works and be responsible for
quality and safety. Apprentices and young workers will be supervised at all times and are
not allowed to carry out tasks for which they have not been trained.
Vehicle Safety
All company vehicles are subject to a planned maintenance and inspection program. Staff
responsible for vehicles will carry out daily and weekly checks to ensure continued
roadworthiness. All drivers will comply with road traffic regulations and the Highway Code.
All loads will be securely fastened to the vehicle by competent persons prior to travel.
PPE
All site workers will wear hard hats, safety boots and hi-visibility vests at all times; other
items of PPE such as dust masks, eye protection, ear protection and gloves are available
to be worn as and when necessary.
Preparation and Induction
A risk assessment will be prepared for each task which will be discussed with members of
staff, any queries or concerns will be dealt with prior to starting work. Staff will be
inducted on to site and will be expected to follow all rules and safety procedures.
Manual Handling
All members of staff have been instructed on the potential dangers of manual handling and
staff will not lift items or equipment beyond their capabilities. Heavy or awkward items
will be broken down into smaller units or dual lifted where this is not possible. It is the
responsibility of the site foreman to assess every situation that requires manual handling
and enforce control procedures where he/she deems necessary; where practical,
mechanical aids should be available and used.
Please also download Manual Handling at Work a short guide from the HSE
First Aid
It is the responsibility of the company to ensure adequate first aid provision for its staff.
Adequate means provision of a trained first aider, suitable first aid equipment and/or the
provision of an appointed person at the minimum. A trained first aider will be a suitable
person who has attended a recognised course and attends a refresher course every year
and a full course every 3 years. An Appointed Person is a person provided by the employer
to take charge of the situation (e.g. to call an ambulance) if a serious injury/illness occurs
in the absence of a first aider. Principal Contractors will ensure sufficient first aid cover
for sites under their control.
Access and Egress

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

On construction sites, the Principal Contractor is responsible for providing safe access
and egress to the site; YOUR COMPANY staff will ensure safe access and egress is
maintained for themselves and other contractors/members of the public in the area they
are working in. Good standards of housekeeping will be maintained by all staff. Warning
notices and barriers will be deployed as required. Debris will be cleared away on a regular
basis and the site left clean and tidy at the end of a shift or task.
Working at height
Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of work-related death in the UK.
Do not jump from vehicles, always use the access steps and handrail provided.
Contractor/Visitor Safety
YOUR COMPANY will liaise with other contractors' staff on a day to day basis and ensure
they are aware of the risks present during the works. Staff and contractors will not leave
any area of work in a dangerous condition or with risks to themselves, other contractors,
tenants, or visitors; all tools and equipment will be cleared to secure storage at the
completion of each shift. Scaffold, ladders and any other access to height will be made
inaccessible.
Concealed and Overhead Services (Example text)
In the case of concealed services, all areas will be CAT scanned prior to the start of work.
Liaison between YOUR COMPANY, the site management and the contractor must take
place and reference to drawings and plans should be made where available.
For overhead services warning signs will be posted and the raising of jibs, plant loaders
etc. and other equipment will not be permitted without the use of a work permit.
Vehicles working in the area of overhead services will operate with a banksman at all
times.
Refuelling Procedure on Site for Plant Machinery and Equipment
Fuel for all YOUR COMPANY equipment is carried in explosive proof metal containers and
secured in the van. Plant and machines will be refuelled away from the van, visitors, and
members of the public. Fuel is transferred from the proprietary containers by certified fuel
transfer unit or through a funnel into the machine tank. Caution will be exercised to
prevent overfilling and spillages will be cleared up immediately. Return the fuel can to the
van and ensure it is clamped in position and the van locked Smoking is not permitted in
any of YOUR COMPANY vehicles at any time, including during operation of plant equipment
and machines on or off clients' premises.
Welfare (Example text)
The Principal Contractor is responsible for providing adequate washing, toilet, drying and
refreshment facilities for staff and subcontractors; staff and contractors are responsible
for ensuring that such welfare facilities are maintained in a clean and wholesome manner.
This will be your responsibility when you are the Principal Contractor, it may be necessary
occasionally for your company to identify suitable local amenities.
Other headings for the aspects of the task and your company may include:
Background and Preparation
Inductions
Permits to Work
Machinery Shutdown and Lock Off Procedures

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Site Access and Egress

Manual Handling
Safety of Other Contractors and Members of the Public
For all the above titles enter what control procedures you either have in place or will put in
place to ensure the safety of workers, visitors and anyone else who is affected by your
operations.

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Task Description

Use of excavator on site

Describe in detail the step by step tasks or process to be followed in order to complete the
task safely. Delete any that do not apply to your situation.
Step by Step Process
Loading - Unloading of Excavatoron Trailer
Step by Step Procedure
1. Put on PPE, i.e. hi-vis, hard hat, and safety boots.
2. Make sure that weight capacity of the trailer is not exceeded by the weight of the
excavator.
3. Ensure that the trailer is on even ground and that there is adequate space to carry out
the task.
4. Competent trained operator will drive the excavator onto the trailer; a banksman will
oversee the operation.
5. Where practical loading and unloading should not be done of the public highway.
6. Clean off excessive mud etc. before loading.
7. Make sure that the trailer stabilisers are in place and locked off and that the brakes
have been applied. If in doubt chock the wheels.
8. Lower the rear of the trailer to form a ramp.
9. A competent trained operator will drive the excavator onto the trailer; a banksman will
oversee the operation.
10. The excavator's brakes will be applied and the excavator will be ratchet strapped
onto the trailer.
11. The trailer ramp will be lifted and locked into position.
12. The towing vehicle will be connected via the tow bar to the trailer and the stabilisers
will be retracted.
13. All electrical connections will be made and checked for correct operation.
Unloading
1. Follow steps 4-7 above.
2. The trained operator will drive the excavator off the trailer; a banksman will oversee
the operation.
3. The trailer ramp will be lifted and locked into position.
4. Do not leave keys in the tow vehicle or plant when left unattended.
Working fromExcavatorPlant
Step by Step Procedure
1. Only trained operatives are to drive the excavator.
2. Excavator is not to be used close to edges or excavations that may collapse (sand
earth).
3. Parking and or standing area for excavators must be positioned and cleared for easy
access.

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

4. Ensure all members of staff are aware of and competent with excavator operations.
5. Check for overhead obstructions.
6. Operatives of an excavator must be aware of the SWL with men and equipment, and
that this will not be exceeded.
7. Excavator, when raised to its limit, the suitable height must be conducive to safe
working.
8. Enabling operative to work from excavator without leaning or climbing out cab.
9. A competent operative will control other plant i.e. concrete skip etc. during the
operation.
10. Do not lower arm of plant until you are certain the area under the excavator is clear.
Grading of Ground by Excavators
1. Work area will be scanned for live services.
2. Ground will be levelled by excavators, as per plans.
3. Levelled area will be compacted and left free from trip hazards.
Test and Handover
1. Test all equipment for successful operation.
2. Snagging works will be carried out to client satisfaction.
3. Handover to client.

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Sign Off Sheet

I have read and understood the contents of this Method Statement. Anything I did
not understand has been explained to me to my satisfaction. I agree to follow the
Method Statement and understand that any instructions are provided for my
safety and the safety of others.

Print Name Signed Date

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 COMPANY NAME
LOGO
METHOD STATEMENT : Excavator use
Address: Landline: Mobile: Email:

Further Information
As your business develops, Health and Safety becomes harder to manage. HS
Direct and EL Direct were set-up with you in mind.

We work with thousands of small to medium-sized businesses - delivering

practical guidance to ensure your company grows in line with the law and has all
the support needed.

Our experienced team can help, assessing your current H&S and Employment
Law procedures, highlighting compliance issues that could leave you open to
incidents, claims and financial penalties.

We can recommend actions and documents that can help, as well as longer-term
solutions and systems to maintain safety excellence day in, day out.

For 15 years, we've helped clients reduce risk and run safer, more compliant
businesses.

Let's talk about what we can do for you.

Your feedback is important to us, so we'll give you a call in the coming days to
ensure you could find everything you needed today.

If you'd like to speak to us in the meantime about anything you've seen on our
website or the services below please don't hesitate to give us a call.

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