Excavate, prepare and form foundations for vehicle restraint systems

This standard describes how to excavate, prepare and form foundations for vehicle restraint systems (VRS). It covers excavating, preparing and forming foundations for VRS in accordance with instructions and specifications. 

If you are using equipment or machinery you need to be trained, and hold current certification where required, in line with relevant legislation. 

This standard is suitable for VRS installers working on highways.

1. carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements and company policies and procedures
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. carry out your work in accordance with instructions and specifications
4. select and prepare the required tools, equipment and resources
5. check to confirm that a safe working environment has been established
6. use industry recommended working practices to excavate and prepare the ground in line with the required instructions and specifications
7. place concrete and compact to form for foundation strength, size, profile and finish for vehicle restraint systems in accordance with instructions and specifications
8. establish required provision to support the future installation of posts
9. use, maintain and store tools, equipment and resources safely and in a clean and serviceable condition
10. monitor and maintain signs and protective barriers in good working order within your level of responsibility
11. dispose of waste and excess materials safely to minimise environmental risk, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements
12. carry out your work in a manner that causes minimal impact to the surrounding area, other users of the site and anyone else who may be affected

1. the relevant environmental and health and safety requirements associated with excavation work
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the task to be carried out
3. the relevant requirements and procedures for gaining access to the site
4. the reasons for traffic management when working adjacent to highways and other transport systems
5. the types of signs and protective barriers used in the fencing industry
6. the health and safety requirements associated with sign and barrier installation, including permit-to-work schemes
7. where to obtain the instructions and specifications required to carry out your work
8. the types of tools and equipment used for excavating post holes and strip trenches and how to prepare, use and maintain these safely and correctly
9. the procedures to follow when uncharted services or substructures are located
10. the procedures to follow if services or substructures are damaged
11. how and when temporary supports should be used to support excavations
12. the precautions to take when shafts or hidden substructures are located
13. the methods and ratios used for mixing, placing, compacting, finishing and curing concrete
14. the methods used for forming pockets in concrete for future installation of posts
15. the techniques used for casting-in fixing items
16. how to form a foundation in soft or unstable ground
17. the limits of your responsibility when dealing with difficulties that arise during the work
18. the storage requirements for tools, equipment and resources
19. the storage requirements for signs and protective barriers
20. the relevant legal requirements controlling the disposal of waste and excess materials
21. how to minimise the impact of your work on the surrounding area, other users of the site and anyone else who may be affected

Instructions and specifications could include:

• plans/drawings
• schedules
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturers guidelines
• customer requirements
• quality standards e.g. BSI, CE
• verbal instructions