Permit to dig template UK — excavation permit you can use tonight
Need a permit to dig template before you break ground? Here is what principal contractors usually ask for, and an editable excavation permit you can download now.
What a permit to dig is for
A permit to dig (excavation permit) is the site control that stops anyone opening the ground until underground services have been checked and a competent person has authorised the work.
HSE guidance in HSG47 (Avoiding danger from underground services) is the document principal contractors work from. CDM 2015 still requires the work to be planned and managed. On most UK sites you will not start a trench, trial hole or mechanical dig without a signed permit.
What the template must let you record
- Location, depth and type of excavation
- Service drawings, CAT and genny scan, and a hand-dig hold point
- Collapse, services, spoil and public-protection controls
- Who is authorised to dig, and who signs it off
- When the permit expires and what happens if the scope changes
Which one to buy
- Tonight's excavation: the permit to dig template at £3.99.
- Groundworker / civils set: the groundworker pack at £14.99.
- Documents all year: membership at £69/year.
A permit does not replace a task risk assessment. Tailor it to the actual ground, drawings and scan results before anyone digs.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download a permit to dig template for the UK?
SafetyPod sells an editable permit to dig for £3.99. The groundworker pack is £14.99. Instant email download, no subscription.
Is a permit to dig a legal requirement?
There is no single regulation titled 'permit to dig'. HSE HSG47 and CDM 2015 still require excavations to be planned and underground services identified. Most principal contractors will not let you break ground without a signed permit.
What is the difference between a permit to dig and a risk assessment?
The risk assessment sets out hazards and controls. The permit is the daily authorisation that those controls are in place for this hole, on this shift.
Do I need a subscription?
No. Pay once and keep the file. Membership is optional if you need documents all year.