- Engage a competent person to determine the safe batter angle for the soil type
- Assess the ground conditions including soil type, moisture, and groundwater level
- Allow adequate space on site for the batters when planning the excavation layout
- Inspect battered excavations at the start of each shift and after rain
- Keep spoil heaps and heavy loads well back from the top of the batter
- Install dewatering if groundwater or surface water is affecting slope stability
- Monitor the batter face for signs of cracking, bulging, or seepage
- Reduce the batter angle if conditions are wetter or weaker than expected
- Fence the top of battered excavations to prevent people and plant from the edge
- Record inspections and any changes to the batter angle in the site records
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- DON'T guess the batter angle — always have it determined by a competent person
- DON'T excavate vertical faces as a shortcut when batters are specified
- DON'T stockpile materials or park plant close to the top of the batter
- DON'T ignore tension cracks or slumping at the top of the excavation face
- DON'T allow workers at the base of a batter showing signs of instability
- DON'T assume a batter is safe after heavy rain without re-inspection
- DON'T steepen the batter to save space unless approved by the designer
- DON'T leave battered excavations open and unprotected overnight
- DON'T rely on vegetation or turf to hold a batter face in place
- DON'T enter any excavation that has not been inspected that day
See also: Trench Collapse Prevention | Excavation Inspection Requirements
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