Earthwork is one of the first big steps on any building site. Before anything goes up, something has to come out – and that means moving soil, rock, or whatever’s in the way. Whether it’s digging foundations, levelling the ground, or building up embankments, it all falls under earthworks.
You’ll see excavators, bulldozers, dumpers and rollers getting to work, shifting tonnes of material to get the site ready. It’s dirty, heavy work – but it sets the stage for everything that comes after. Mess this part up, and the whole build can suffer.
Earthworks cover loads of different tasks: digging out trenches, creating drainage systems, grading land, building up slopes, laying foundations – even protecting embankments from erosion. On big sites, it’s a full-scale operation. On smaller jobs, it might be one digger and a lot of coordination.
In the UK, there are strict rules about how this work should be planned and carried out – including safety around deep excavations, working near services, and soil stability. That’s why skilled plant operators are essential. Knowing how to move the ground is one thing. Doing it safely and accurately is another.
At Construction and Plant Training Services, we train people for real earthmoving jobs. From CPCS digger tickets to groundwork awareness, we cover the tools, the machines, and the risks. Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your skills, we’ll help you get site-ready and HSE-compliant.
