Unstable ground toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our unstable ground page and the 153 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Soft, uneven or sloping ground that can let equipment, scaffolds or ladders sink, tip or move.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Assess ground conditions before bringing in plant or erecting scaffolds, considering recent rain, fill and nearby excavations.
- Use ground mats, sole boards or outrigger pads to spread loads on soft or uneven ground.
- Keep plant, materials and spoil back from excavation edges and embankments.
- Get geotechnical or engineering advice where ground stability is uncertain, such as near trenches, fill or retaining walls.
- Re-check ground after rain, and stop work if plant, scaffolds or ladders start to sink or shift.
Questions for the crew
- Where could unstable ground come up on this job today?
- The most effective control is: “Assess ground conditions before bringing in plant or erecting scaffolds, considering recent rain, fill and nearby excavations”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for unstable ground are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of unstable ground, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.