Top soil management

1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This procedure is for ensuring topsoil management is done during the construction and its
associated infrastructural facilities. This addresses removal, storage, and replacing
excavated topsoil. The objectives of top soil management is to
a) optimize the recovery of topsoil for reuse
b) prevent degradation of fertile soil
c) identify stockpile locations and dimensions
The scope of the procedure includes all the areas/operations of the sites, where excavation
is carried out by Gammon or its subcontractors and where it has direct control or can have
an influence

2 DEFINITION
Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil that has the highest concentration of organic
matter and microorganisms and is where most of the Earth's biological soil activity occurs. It
is the most fertile area of the soil. Plants generally concentrate their roots in and obtain
most of their nutrients from this layer. The actual depth of the topsoil layer can be measured
as the depth from the surface to the first densely packed soil layer known as subsoil

3 PROCESS DESCRIPTION
3.1 Top soil management
3.1.1 Topsoil shall be stripped from areas that will be disturbed by excavation, filling or
compaction by equipment. The level to which the top soil shall be removed shall depend
on the soil type in the area. To ascertain this adequate soil cores shall be taken in
several locations within each area or as specified by the client.

3.1.2 Topsoil shall not be stripped from areas that will only be used for storing topsoil or
subsoil.

3.1.3 Based on the soil depth the following is the minimum soil depth that is to be considered

a) 60 cm of total soil depth removal over bedrock (combined topsoil and subsoil);

b) 20 to 30 cm of total soil depth removal over loose rock;

c) 20 to 25 cm of total soil depth removal over normal earth

3.1.4 Stockpiling
a) Topsoil shall be stored where it will not be compacted by vehicles or contaminated
and shall be stored in a manner that will minimize its loss; and shall not be mixed
with subsoil and mixing will be prevented by physical means.
b) Stripped topsoil shall be kept free from vehicular and plant movement. Topsoil and
subsoil stacks shall be placed to ensure that they are free draining. Gaps shall be left
in the topsoil stack to permit reasonable access across and at low areas where
surface water may be held against the stack.

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 Top soil management
c) Topsoil shall be stored in a stockpile not more than 2m high with side slopes <45°,
drained with open ditches. The surface of the stockpile shall be lightly compacted to
reduce rainfall penetration but not enough to promote anaerobic conditions.
d) Stockpiles shall be protected by temporary seeding to prevent loss. Within 30days of
stockpile formation. It will be stabilized by vegetation within 12 months by permanent
vegetation if it’s not used, to prevent erosion.
e) The stockpile shall be protected from flooding by placing berm around the outside.
Under no circumstances shall topsoil be used as padding material.

3.1.5 Handling
a) Soil handling under wet conditions will be avoided other than in areas having sandy
soils.
b) Soils those are plastic when wet shall not be worked with till their moisture content
decreases.

3.1.6 Reinstatement
a) Spreading topsoil can prevent proper grading or seeding. Top soil shall be spread to
a minimum compacted depth of 10 cm. For long-term growth of vegetation without
irrigation, minimum soil depth should be 20 to 30 cm over loose sand or rock
fragments, and 60 cm of soil depth is desired over bedrock. The above criteria apply
with respect to site condition and client approval.

3.1.7 A register shall be maintained for top soil management listing the quantities of soil that
was removed and reused.

3.1.8 Top soil management shall be done for all sites without any exception. In case
there is any deviation required, please contact the Systems and Processes
department in HO for approval.

3.2 Responsibility
Project Manager, concerned site engineer / Project HSE Committee Members

4 REFERENCES
None

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