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Health, Safety, & Environment Manual 1 of 12
Procedure No.: First Issue date: Rev.:
(Safe Work Procedures)
HSEM(SWP) 01-10-03 C
– 3.0 Piling Works
Issuing Department: Approval: Previous Rev. Date: Current Revision
Singapore Operations Japa Rusdi 10 May 07 Date: 10 May 07
19 Apr 12
Table of Contents
1.0 PURPOSE........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 SCOPE................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
3.0 DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES.........................................................................................................................................................3
5.0 PROCEDURE..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.1. Technology Application.............................................................................................................................. 3
5.2. Subcontractor Selection............................................................................................................................. 3
5.3. Initial Inspection......................................................................................................................................... 3
The current applicable version of this publication resides on Jacobs’ Intranet. All copies are considered to be uncontrolled.
HSEM(SWP) – 3.0 Page 2 of 12
Piling Works Rev. C, 19 Apr 12
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this work instruction is to ensure the health and safety of all personnel involved
with, and working around, drill rig and other pile driving/extracting operations.
This Procedure sets forth the minimum procedures to be followed for drill rig and other pile driving/
extracting operations.
2.0 SCOPE
This Procedure applies to employees and on-site contractors engaged in operations covered by
the Company HSE program.
One or more of the subjects listed in the References section of this Procedure may also apply to
piling operations. Ensure that appropriate topics from the pertinent Procedures are reviewed and
followed.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
Cable Tool Rig method of drilling is an old technique. The technique is also known as percussion,
churn-drilling, or spudding. Cable tool rigs operate by repeatedly lifting and dropping a string of
down-hole tools.
Rotary Drilling utilizes a technique in which the drill pipe and attached bit are continuously turned
against the face of the hole. A fluid in the form of air, water, mud (bentonite and water), polymer,
or a combination of these is used to lift the cuttings to the surface, to cool and lubricate the bit, and
to keep the hole open. As the rotary bit is advanced, the fluid is forced down the center of the drill
rods and out of the bit.
Reverse Circulation Drilling is essentially the same as rotary drilling, although, as the name
implies, the fluid is forced down through an outer casing and back up to the surface through the
drill stem to a cyclone.
Hollow-Stem Augers (HSA) are essentially a form of continuous flight augers in which the helices
(flights) are welded around a hollow, tubular steel center. A cutting bit is on the lead auger. The
auger is a conveyor that lifts cuttings to the surface by rotation of the auger.
Casing Hammer Drilling uses the principles of rotary drilling in combination with a hammer
system that drives a welded casing to maintain an open bore hole.
Sonic Drilling is a relatively new technology. An extensive hydraulic system causes a counter-
balanced device to articulate rapidly at the rate of typically 20,000 to 30,000 cycles per second.
This oscillating energy is transferred to a drill stem forcing the rods into the ground.
Direct Push Technology is a hydraulic or pneumatic ram that forces the drill rod into the ground.
The weight of the vehicle serves as the counter-weight for the ram system.
Hydraulic Vibratory Driver/Extractor is used to drive or extract pipes, sheet piles and various
piles profiles unto or out of ground. As the pile is vibrated, the surrounding soil vibrates, reducing
resistance between the pile and the surrounding soil. Mounted on top of the gearbox are sets of
rubber suppressors that prevent the vibration from reaching the crane line. Mounted on the bottom
of the gearbox is the clamp attachment, which grips the pile and allows the vibro to drive or extract
the pile. A smaller vibro unit can be attached to an excavator to drive in or extract smaller piles.
Air/Steam Pile Hammers – The cycle begins at impact, the valve is rotated in such a way as to
admit steam or air into the cylinder and below the piston. This accelerates the ram upward. This
continues until the exhaust wedge on the slide bar actuates the trip and rotates the valve to close
off the steam or air inlet and opens the area of the cylinder below the piston to the atmosphere
where the compressed air or steam is exhausted. The ram continues its free rise upward,
decelerating with gravity until the top of the piston passes the relief ports and closes in the dashpot
at the top of the cylinder. This trapped air compresses and brings the rising ram to a halt. The ram
then makes a free drop to impact. Shortly before impact the intake wedge rotates the valve to
admit steam or air to the cylinder and the cycle starts once again.
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific HSE Program implementation responsibilities are stated in HSEM 1.4. Additional
management, staff, employee, and subcontractor responsibilities are stated in individual
procedures that address responsibilities specific to the HSE topic.
5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1. Technology Application
5.1.1. There are numerous drilling/piling technologies commonly available on the market
today such as, hollow-stem auger, air-rotary casing hammer, dual tube rotary, sonic rotary,
and direct push technology. Each drill rig or piling equipment has specific and various
capabilities depending on the tools applied. For example, the same drill rig that was used
for well installation via HSA can be used to drill structural footings with a bucket auger.
Evaluate the work and apply the most appropriate technology.
5.1.2. Likewise, terminology can vary between manufacturers, consultants, drillers,
geologists, and HSE professionals and regions of the country. Make terms clear and
concise. It is important that the drilling/piling team work from common terms to avoid any
misunderstanding.
5.1.3. Site access must be considered in selecting the drilling technology. Access
restrictions such as terrain, ecologically sensitive areas, utilities, overhead obstructions,
airport flight lines, etc. may influence the strategy for the selection of the type of drill/pile
rig.
5.1.4. Sonic drill rigs should not be used where there is the potential for unexploded
ordnance.
5.2. Subcontractor Selection
5.2.1. In the request for proposal (RFP) process, the Subcontractor Safety Questionnaire
must be included. This document is used as a tool to advise management of historical
safety performance of the prospective bidder.
5.2.2. Once proposals are received, review the safety questionnaire. By using safety
performance, rate the proposals based on the information provided.
5.2.3. To minimize company liability, inclusion of Jacobs’ general terms and conditions
within the subcontract are mandatory.
5.2.4. The client may also have specific requirements, such as those specified relevant
statutory bodies such as JTC, Mindef, LTA or Airport Authority. Ensure such requirements
are included in the piling’s subcontract.
5.2.5. The Jacobs Corporate and Singapore Operation HSE program and the Site-
Specific Health and Safety Plan (HSP) must be referenced and/or included in the
subcontract.
5.2.6. Subcontractors shall be required to follow HSEM 13.1, Subcontractor Safety.
5.4.11. Always the hammer is lower choked or blocked in the leads or lowered to the
ground whenever piling rig is not in use.
5.4.12. The pile/drill rig operator must not attempt any lift if conditions are inadequate or
hazardous.
5.4.13. Spreader bars, eye pads, personnel baskets, and lifting devices of all kinds will be
evaluated and approved by the Site Manager and inspected by the Authorized Examiner
prior to use.
5.5. Pile/Drill Rig Set-up Procedures
5.5.1. Ensure compliance with the utility clearance process prior to mobilizing the drill
rig. Refer to HSEM (SWP) 2.0.
5.5.2. Adequately prepare pile/drill pad and stabilize rig to prevent rig turnover.
5.5.3. A firm, level foundation capable of supporting the load and drill rig shall be
provided and maintained. Avoid areas where extensive fill is required to level the pad.
Compaction is necessary if significant amounts of fill are needed.
5.5.4. Where there is surface contamination, use clean fill or gravel to cover areas of
contamination and provide a level work area. Cover material may be considered
contaminated at the conclusion of work in the area. The cost of remediation may be
increased due to the increase in the quantity of contaminated materials to be treated. To
minimize cost, rather than placing a material cover over contaminated surface materials,
simply decontaminate the drill rig and associated equipment that may have become
contaminated from contact with the contaminated ground surface before leaving the site.
See HSEP 8.9, Drilling in VOC Contaminated Soil, for additional precautions.
Temporary insulation sleeves, which may be installed on the power line: (Note
that there is also considerable hazard involved in this procedure, and the use of
temporary sleeves must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)
Angle borings; and
Warning flags or other suitable devices that may be positioned to define the
allowable operating radius of the equipment, while adjacent to personnel or
equipment.
5.7. Equipment Operation – Angle Borings
5.7.1. Angle borings are typically used when a sample point cannot be accessed from a
vertical position. Examples of these are:
Under power lines
Under building foundations,
Under river channels, or
Where extremely high levels of contamination pose a health or fire hazard for the
drilling crew.
5.7.2. The approximate vertical depth is calculated based on the cosine of the angle of
the boring and the angled length of the borehole.
5.7.3. An angle of less than 30 degrees (measured between the ground surface and the
mast) is usually not acceptable except for short drilling distances. This is due to the
rotation of the auger causing the drill stem to “walk” away from the desired sample point,
which can endanger personnel or cause equipment damage.
5.7.4. Although angle borings are useful, they can have difficulty in achieving the desired
results, particularly in soils with cobbles or boulders. These obstructions can deflect the
drill stem to an undesired position.
5.7.5. With these restrictions in mind, pay careful attention when drilling or angle boring
under utilities or other known obstructions to prevent inadvertent contact.
5.8. Maintenance and Repairs
5.8.1. To ensure safe operations, the pile/drill rig and ancillary equipment should receive
routine maintenance in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
5.8.2. A lock-out/tag-out process is required prior to any maintenance activity or repair.
When a drive head cannot be completely lowered to the drill table, the drive head should
be properly blocked and supported.
5.8.3. The mast must be lowered when head works repairs are being performed. If this
is impossible, follow fall protection practices.
5.8.4. Welding and cutting repairs on the pile/drill rig pose flammability hazards and may
cause high strength steel to be damaged. There should not be open flames within 15m of
combustible materials such as diesel fuel tanks. If this distance cannot be maintained,
place noncombustible welding mats over tanks or other combustibles to protect from
sparks and hot slag. Protect hydraulic lines as well.
5.8.5. A qualified welder familiar with the weld grades, weld types, and material specified
in the pile/drill rig design should perform all welding on pile/drill rigs or its components.
5.8.6. Machine guards must be utilized and maintained on the drill rig to protect
personnel from belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, flywheels, or
other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment or other hazards.
5.8.7. Always replace guards after servicing the rig or equipment. When a pinch point
cannot be guarded, paint the point bright yellow and post an appropriate warning sign.
Provide a safe distance barrier and allow only authorized personnel to enter the zone.
5.9. Personal Protective Equipment
5.9.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be viewed as the last line of defense
against mechanical and chemical hazards. The use of PPE does not guarantee freedom
from injury. In many cases, PPE mitigates, but does not eliminate, forces of impact,
abrasion, etc.
5.9.2. In addition to chemical protective clothing that may be required for the site, all
personnel must wear SS 98 or equivalent type of hardhats, SS 473 standard safety
glasses with side shields or goggles, and SS 513 or equivalent safety footwear. Bump
hats, sport glasses, and tennis shoe style safety shoes are not acceptable.
5.9.3. Because of the noise levels typically associated with operation of a piling
operation, hearing protection is required in the area.
5.10. Inclement Weather
Adverse weather conditions requiring immediate suspension of field activities are:
5.10.1. Thunderstorms and Lightning
A 30-minute stand down period is maintained from the last observed lightning to allow
proper distance for the storm to pass.
Take shelter in buildings or hard top vehicles with the windows rolled up and away
from trees, power lines, bodies of water, and the drill mast, etc
If caught outside, place hands over ears and squat down with feet close together and
flat on the ground. Always attempt to be lower than the highest object around but do not
lie on the ground.
8.0 FIGURES
Drill/Pile Rig Inspection Form
Protective Systems/Equipment
Are all guards, etc. in place around pinch points, moving
26.
machinery etc. and in good repair?
Are mechanical pinch points on drilling rig properly
27.
labeled/color coded?
Is there adequate fall protection equipment available if
28.
climbing the mast is necessary?
If derrick platform is more than 1.2m (4 ft.) above grade, is
29.
it equipped with safety railing and toe boards as required?
Are signs stating caution/danger shock or electrocution
30.
hazard in place on the mast?
Is there a possibility for exhaust fumes from the drilling rig
31.
to accumulate and affect worker’s health?
Is adequate lighting, in accordance with WSH Act and
32.
SS567 installed for night operations?
Are all workers wearing proper hard hats, safety boots,
33.
and safety glasses?
Are there an adequate number of fire extinguishers,
34.
portable eye wash(es), and first aid kit(s) on site?
Programs/Plans
Are assured grounding procedures for equipment and
35.
power tools being followed?
Are drillers following a “code of safe practices” developed
36.
by the contractor?
Is there a safe procedure in place for guiding drill rods or
37.
pipe sections into racks or onto transport vehicle?
38. Is a certified CPR/First Aid trained individual with the rig?
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