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Permit to Dig Safety Checklist

Free Safety Checklist template · Category: ConstructionView all Safety Checklist templates
Use our Checklist creator tool to create customised workplace safety documents. Learn more about Permit to Dig Safety Checklist Template below
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Checklist Questions

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Risk Assessment Description:

This permit to dig safety checklist template helps site managers, supervisors and operatives ensure that all excavation work is carried out safely, legally and in line with best practice.

It covers the full range of checks required for a safe digging operation, including risk assessment and permit authorisation, up‑to‑date service drawings, CAT or Genny scans, trial holes, equipment inspection, competence of operators, supervision, ground conditions, weather, exclusion zones, shoring, personal protective equipment and emergency arrangements. The checklist aligns with HSG47 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, reflecting current HSE guidance on underground works.

Use this checklist for:

  • Pre‑dig planning – confirm permits, service information and risk assessments are in place.
  • On‑site excavation checks – verify ground conditions, equipment, PPE and safe working methods.
  • Post‑dig sign‑off – ensure the area is made safe, records updated and permits closed.

Each item is answered Yes, No or N/A – any No answer must be resolved before digging proceeds or before the work is considered complete.

To use the checklist, the responsible person should review each question, record the answer and take corrective action for any No response before work continues.

Fully editable and shareable – customise the questions to your site, download as a PDF and share with your team.

Compliant with: HSG47; Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Sample PDF Document Image:

Checks covered in this Permit to Dig – Excavation and Groundworks checklist

This Permit to Dig – Excavation and Groundworks safety checklist template covers 21 checks. Customise the questions to your workplace, then download a professional, print-ready PDF with Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space.

#Checklist item
1Has a risk assessment for the excavation work been completed and briefed to all operatives?
2Is a valid Permit to Dig issued, signed by an authorised person and within its validity period?
3Are up‑to‑date service drawings and underground utility maps available on site?
4Has a CAT scan or Genny scan been carried out and are the results reviewed before digging?
5Have trial holes been excavated to verify the location of services where required?
6Is the excavator or hand‑digging equipment inspected and certified for use today?
7Is the excavator’s undercarriage, hydraulic system and safety guards in good condition and free of leaks?
8Are all operators trained, competent and authorised to carry out the digging task?
9Is a competent supervisor present throughout the excavation?
10Is the ground condition suitable for the planned depth and method of excavation?
11Are weather conditions (rain, wind, temperature) safe for the planned digging activity?
12Is the excavation area clearly marked and exclusion zones established with barriers or signage?
13Are underground services identified, isolated where possible and protected from accidental damage?
14Is hand‑digging being used near services where mechanical digging is prohibited?
15Are shoring, trench boxes or other support systems in place where required for trench depth?
16Is the correct personal protective equipment (hard hat, high‑visibility vest, gloves, steel‑toe boots, eye protection) being worn by all operatives?
17Are emergency rescue plans and first‑aid arrangements communicated to the crew?
18Is a means of communication (radio, phone) readily available for emergency contact?
19Is the area around the excavation kept free of unnecessary materials and waste?
20Upon completion, has the excavation backfilled, compacted and the site restored to a safe condition?
21Have all permit records, scan results and inspection checklists been filed and the Permit to Dig formally closed?

Frequently asked questions

Are these safety checklist templates really free to download?

Yes — completely free. Customise any checklist to your workplace and download a professional, print-ready PDF in minutes. No paywall — a free account is all you need to download.

What format do the safety checklists download in?

Checklists download as a professional PDF, ready to print and complete on-site — each question has clear Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space. You choose portrait or landscape at download. Word and spreadsheet formats are being added.

Can I customise the checklist questions to my workplace?

Yes — fully. Add your own questions, edit or remove any of the pre-written ones, and reorder them to suit your site, task or inspection before you download.

Are the safety checklists suitable for UK workplaces?

Yes. The checklists are written around UK health and safety good practice and HSE guidance, and are suitable for inspections, audits, toolbox checks and routine workplace monitoring.

Do I need an account to use the checklist templates?

You can build and preview a checklist without an account. To download the PDF you'll need a free account — it takes less than a minute, costs nothing, and also lets you save checklists to your dashboard and edit them later.

Can I add my company logo and branding to the checklist?

Yes — add your company logo, colours and details on Standard and Pro plans, so the exported checklist carries your own branding. Guests and Free downloads carry Health & Safety Zone branding.

How do I complete the checklist once it is downloaded?

The exported checklist is a blank, ready-to-use document: print it and tick Yes, No or N/A against each question and write any comments in the notes space, then sign and date it in the sign-off section.

What types of safety checklist can I create?

We are building specialist checklists across a wide range of subjects and industries — fire safety, workplace inspections, equipment and machinery checks, site inductions, vehicle checks, PPE, first aid and more. Browse by category to find the right one.

How often should safety checklists be completed?

It depends on the activity and your risk assessment — many checks are daily, weekly or monthly, while others are done before each task or shift. Completed, dated checklists provide a useful record of your monitoring.

Are the checklists a substitute for a risk assessment?

No. A checklist is a monitoring and inspection tool that complements your risk assessments and method statements — it helps confirm that controls are in place and working. Use them alongside your risk assessments.

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