This chapter describes minimum requirements for safely conducting piling operations

and building cofferdams, including driving both load-bearing piles and sheet piles.

Saudi Aramco (SA) General Instructions (GIs):

GI 2.100, Work Permit System

GI 7.025, Heavy Equipment Operator Testing and Certification

GI 7.030, Inspection and Testing Requirements for Elevating/Lifting Equipment

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Engineers

(ASSE):

ANSI/ASSE A10.19, Safety Requirements for Pile Installation and Extraction

Operations

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):

29 CFR 1926.603, Pile Driving Equipment

29 CFR 1926.802, Cofferdams

12.3.1 Crane operators shall have a valid Saudi Arabian Government (SAG)
heavy equipment license and a valid SA certificate per GI 7.025.

12.3.2 Work permits per GI 2.100 shall be issued when conducting piling
operations. See Chapter I-4, Work Permit System, of this manual.

12.3.3 Overhead and underground utilities shall be properly located and marked
prior to start of work.

12.3.4 Personnel handling piles or working on piling operations shall wear hard
hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, stout gloves and be equipped with
suitable ear protection to protect against the actual noise levels they will be
exposed to. See Chapter I-3, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

12.3.5 Steam/air hoses leading to the hammer or jet pipe shall be securely
attached to the hammer with a 6 mm (1/4 inch) chain or cable to prevent
whipping in the event a joint at the hammer breaks.
12.3.6 A properly rated safety chain/cable or equivalent means shall be provided
for other hose connections to prevent whipping in case the coupling
becomes disconnected.

12.3.7 Piling operations shall be supervised at all times. The crew shall be
properly trained in piling operations.

12.3.8 Guys, outriggers or counterbalances shall be used as necessary to maintain

stability of the pile driving rig.

12.3.9 The ram shall be blocked, residual air or steam pressure relieved and lines
disconnected before maintenance work begins on the hammer.

12.4.1 Before work begins, a piling operations plan shall be developed that
includes, but is not limited to:

A. The scope and purpose of the piling operation.

B. Soil analysis reports of the area.

C. The precise location and nature of any overhead and underground utilities
or other obstructions in the area.

D. Pile driving methods and safety precautions to be used.

12.4.2 Pile driving equipment shall be verified to be of adequate capacity to

perform the operation.

12.4.3 An inspection shall be performed and repairs made as necessary before pile
driving equipment is used.

12.5.1 When cranes are to be used for driving piles with a drop hammer or driving
piles below the level of the crane using extended leaders, the distance of
the hammer from the center point of the crane shall be determined and this
distance used to calculate the crane’s safe working load.

12.5.2 Outriggers shall be used to maintain stability of the crane. See Chapter III-
7, Cranes and Lifting Equipment, for additional requirements.

12.6.1 The ground supporting a crane or pile driving rig shall be firm and level.

12.6.2 Digger mats or hard-core standing shall be provided if the ground could
sink or collapse.
12.7.1 Sufficient timber or steel shall be used for the construction of pile gates.

12.7.2 Pile gates shall have proper ladder access. When pile gates are 1.8 m (6 ft)
or higher, sufficient handrails or full-body harnesses with lanyards shall be
used. See Chapter II-5, Fall Protection.

12.8.1 Pile driving and associated equipment used on-site shall be inspected
before work starts each day and per GI 7.030.

12.8.2 Air compressors or steam boilers shall be inspected and all hoses/couplings
checked for leaks and general condition.

12.8.3 Steam and air hoses shall be inspected to ensure they are properly fitted
with regulator valves and quick acting shut-off valves for emergencies.

12.8.4 Hammers and extractors shall be inspected (e.g., for loose bolts) at the
beginning of each shift.

12.8.5 Equipment inspection records shall be maintained.

12.9.1 Stop blocks shall be provided for the leads to prevent the hammer from
being raised against the head block.

12.9.2 Guards shall be provided across the top of the head block to prevent the
cable from coming out of the sheaves.

12.9.3 Fixed leads shall be provided with ladder and adequate attachment points
(e.g., rings) so that the loft worker may engage his lanyard to the leads.
Loft platforms shall be protected with standard guardrails.

12.10.1 Pitching

A. Piles shall only be lifted and positioned in the pile gate, or onto the leaders
or rig, with sound lifting gear adequate for the purpose.

B. Quick release shackles shall be inspected before each use.

C. When hollow sections or concrete piles are lifted with chains or wire
slings, timber or burlap packing shall be placed between the lifting gear
and the pile.

D. Hardwood wedges shall be used for adjusting piles while pitching.

Softwood wedges shall not be used.
 E. Adequate access, such as a cradle or a properly secured ladder, shall be
provided for the top man when pitching sheet piles. The top man shall wear
stout gloves when pitching.

12.10.2 Pile Driving

A. Personnel shall be kept away while pile driving is in progress.

B. The emergency shut-off valve and the crane or winch controls shall be
manned at all times during pile driving.

C. A supervisor shall be present and be positioned so that he can be seen by

both the crane (or winch) operator and the operator manning the
emergency shut-off valve.

D. A hand signal system shall be used between the supervisor, winch/crane

operator and valve operator, so that emergency shutdown does not depend
on verbal communication.

E. Piles, leaders and machines shall be aligned when driving raking piles.

F. Hammers shall not be touched until valves are closed and the system is
depressurized.

G. Operators shall take precautions to ensure that hammer exhaust and earth
vibration are not a threat to the surrounding area.

H. If the head of a pile becomes distorted through driving, no attempt shall be

made to clear it from the leaders by lifting or booming up. The pile head
shall be cut off and the debris cleared from the leaders.

12.11.1 Hammer-driven piles shall not be extracted by lifting or booming up with a

crane. Steam, air or electric operated extractors shall be used.

12.11.2 Extractor wedges shall be inspected for good condition and replaced when
worn.

12.11.3 Personnel shall not walk under suspended piles.

12.12.1 Cofferdams shall:

A. Be strong enough to withstand forces caused by water, soil conditions and

floating debris.

B. Be as watertight as possible, although some leakage is expected and may

require pumping.
12.12.2 Steel sheet piling used for cofferdams shall be driven to the design
specifications (e.g., specified depth).

12.12.3 Cofferdams in excess of 1.2 m (4 ft) in depth shall be designed by a

degreed structural engineer. This includes horizontal wales and struts used
for bracing for sheet piling.

12.12.4 Deviations from the design during the actual construction of the cofferdam
shall be approved by the design engineer.

12.12.5 Sump pumps, equipment and machinery shall be mounted on a

cantilevered platform outside the cofferdam.

12.12.6 Internal supporting structures shall be secured against unintentional

dislodgment.

12.12.7 Emergency evacuation warning signals shall be provided and related

procedures developed. Notices shall be posted at the entrance to the work
area as well.

12.12.8 Locking devices on wedges shall be used to prevent their unintentional

removal and possible collapse of the structure.

12.12.9 Before Work Begins

A. Cofferdams constructed in a navigable waterway or which would constitute

an obstruction or hazard to the operation of small boats shall be approved
in advance by the manager of the SA Marine Department.

B. The proponent manager of the intended project/construction shall be

responsible for coordinating approval with the required SAG agencies
through SA Affairs.

12.12.10 Cofferdam Construction

A. Cofferdam construction work shall be performed in strict compliance with

the design drawings and specifications.

B. Construction shall be performed by properly trained craftsmen in

accordance with accepted work practices.

C. Cofferdam walkways, ramps or bridges shall have at least two exit points.
These shall be provided with standard guardrails.

D. Enclosed cofferdam structures shall be provided with a means of

emergency exit for personnel performing work inside the structures.

E. Unexpected soil or hydrographic conditions encountered during

construction shall be reported immediately to the design engineer for
evaluation and possible modification of the structure.
 F. Actions shall be taken to control flooding of the work area if overtopping
of the cofferdam by high waters is possible.

G. Significant leaks shall be reported immediately to the person in charge of

the operations.

H. Personnel shall immediately evacuate the area when a large leak cannot be
sealed or if there is an indication that the piling has moved. The design
engineer shall be immediately notified of these conditions.

12.12.11 Cofferdam Inspections

A. Inspections shall be performed daily or after any weather condition or

incident which might affect the integrity of the cofferdam.

B. Wedges shall be inspected at the start of each shift.

C. Sump pumps and intake fastenings shall be inspected at the start of each
shift.