Safety checklist — Deep foundations / Piles
Pile driving, helical piles and micropiles. Based on Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
12 items- ✓
PPE worn: hard hat, hearing protection (plugs + muffs), steel-toed boots, glasses
- ✓
Underground services located before any ground penetration (CSTC 3.15.1)Critical
ℹ️ CSTC 3.15.1: locate before digging. Info-Excavation: 1-800-663-9228.
- ✓
Foundation plan reviewed — location, depth and bearing capacity
- ✓
Pile driver / hydraulic hammer or drill inspected and stabilized
- ✓
Safety perimeter marked around driving equipment
- ✓
Overhead lines: 5.2.1 distances where section V appliesCritical
ℹ️ CSTC 5.2.1: 3/5/8/12 m. 5.1.2 excludes, among others, services under 750 V.
- ✓
Piles inspected — integrity, length and diameter conform
- ✓
No one under the pile or hammer during driving (CSTC 3.10.4 (4))Critical
ℹ️ 3.10.4 (4): no one under a load or a part that could fall.
- ✓
Communication by signals between operator and ground crew
- ✓
Check refusal and bearing capacity per specifications
- ✓
Vibrations monitored — check impact on adjacent structures
- ✓
Misaligned piles reported immediately to engineer
After work
4 items- ✓
Piles cut to proper elevation if required
- ✓
Driving report completed (depth, refusal, blow count)
- ✓
Load tests performed per spec (static or dynamic)
- ✓
Pile heads protected before footing pour
16 verification items — use this checklist on-site with the app
Use on-site — freePDF reports, history and team management in the app
For information only — this is not legal advice. OK Sécurité is an independent company with no affiliation to the CNESST: we are not mandated, endorsed or certified by it. Completing a checklist here does not by itself establish your compliance — your exact obligations depend on your job site and your prevention program. Where there is any discrepancy, the official text published by Légis Québec or the CNESST prevails.
More checklists — Heavy Work
More safety checklists
Risks and prevention — Deep foundations and piles
Pile driving generates noise levels that can exceed 120 dB, well above the 85 dB RSST threshold without protection. Double hearing protection (plugs + muffs) is often necessary. Ground vibration may affect adjacent structures.
Helical piles and micropiles require drilling machinery whose swing radius must be barricaded. Workers must never stand in the drill's pivot zone. Machine stability on soft ground must be verified before each installation.
Precast piles suspended by crane pose a dropped-load risk. Rigging must be checked, signals agreed upon, and the perimeter cleared before any lift.
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