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Excavations

Excavations on site can vary widely in size from a small trial pit for investigatory purposes (refer to site investigations) to large holes (for foundations) or tunnelling. In all cases the material is removed either by hand or machinery. It may be removed to a landfill site or stored elsewhere on the construction site.

Key environmental issues include:

• avoid contaminated or silt-laden water from the excavation polluting watercourses or groundwater
• waste disposal (especially if hazardous material)
• discovery of archaeological finds (necessary to contact local authority on discovery of human remains)
• occurrence of contaminated land (issues of appropriate containment and removal)
• noise created by heavy machinery operations
• recycling of excavated spoil (can be used to created temporary and/or permanent noise barrier)
• effects on local ecological habitats by altering ground conditions.

Note:

See also: Site investigation and sampling to assess contamination

Key references:

• CIRIA C650 Environmental good practice on site.
• CIRIA R179 Ground engineering spoil: good management practice.

Go to relevant Guidance.

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