EXCAVATION SAFETY

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

Name

Designation

Date

Signature
Amendment Sheet

23.12.2019 Document no. and format no. updated.

01
Procedure reviewed to check the adequacy
00 18.08.2016 Issued for Implementation
 1.0 Contents
1.0 Purpose........................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Scope............................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Abbreviations & Definitions............................................................................................ 1
3.1 Abbreviations........................................................................................................... 1
3.2 Definitions................................................................................................................ 1
4.0 Roles & Responsibilities.................................................................................................. 4
4.1 Project Manager / Unit Head.................................................................................. 4
4.2 Civil Engineer / Maintenance Engineer................................................................... 4
4.3 Supervisor................................................................................................................ 4
4.4 HSE Team................................................................................................................. 4
5.0 Procedure........................................................................................................................ 4
5.1 Hazards of Excavation & Trenching......................................................................... 4
5.2 Control of Excavation Hazard.................................................................................. 5
5.3 Prior to Excavation and trenching Activity.............................................................. 5
5.3 Work Permit............................................................................................................. 6
5.4 Precautionary Measures for Excavation.................................................................. 6
5.5 Roads, Streets, and Sidewalks................................................................................. 6
5.6 Inspection of Trenches............................................................................................ 7
5.7 Execution of the Work............................................................................................. 7
5.8 Completion.............................................................................................................12
5.9 Backfilling & Reinstatement..................................................................................12
5.10 Inspections..............................................................................................................13
5.11 Training...................................................................................................................13
5.12 Records....................................................................................................................13
Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the precautions and conditions considered
necessary for safety of the personnel involved in excavation & trenching work as well as
integrity of above / underground services &/or facilities where such excavation work shall be
carried out.

Scope
The procedure is applicable to all activities & facilities where excavation is carried out for
maintenance, construction or inspection need.

Abbreviations & Definitions

Abbreviations
ft - Feet
H - Horizontal
HSE - Health, Safety and Environment
HSEMS - Health, Safety and Environment Management System
Kpa - Kilo Pascal
LTHE - Larsen and Toubro Hydrocarbon Engineering Limited
m - Meter
mm - Millimetre
PPE - Personnel Protective Equipment
tsf - Tonnes per Square Foot

Definitions

Authorised Gas Tester

Authorised gas tester shall be
• Equipped with the knowledge to use the multi gas detector to conduct gas tests for
oxygen
levels, flammable and toxic gases safely.
• Trained and skills must be assessed either internally or through approved training consultant.

Benching
A method of protecting personnel from sidewall cave-in by excavating the sides of an
excavation to form one or more of a series of horizontal steps, with a vertical rise between
each step.

Backfilling
It is an activity to fill-in (with soil) a trench that is no longer needed and returning the area
around its original condition.
Cave - ins
It is collapse of the trench side walls due to weight of the adjacent soil. A cave - in can drop
several cubic meters of soils on trench worker.

Competent Person
One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards by way of training and/or
experience in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or
dangerous to employees, and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.

Excavation
An excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth’s surface
formed by earth removal.

Manual Excavation
The excavation without using any powered equipment or excavating machinery such as
backhoe, loader, Jack Hammer etc.

Mechanical Excavation
The excavation work using powered equipment or excavating machinery such backhoe,
loader, Jack Hammer etc.

Metal Detector
It is a device to screen the excavation area to mitigate the risk of damaging unknown
pipelines, cables and utilities.

Protective Systems
Methods used to protect personnel from sidewall cave-in, materials that could fall or roll
into the excavation, or collapse of adjacent structures. Protective systems include sloping,
benching, and shoring.

Shoring
Hydraulic, timber, or mechanical systems that support the sides of an excavation, which is
designed to prevent sidewall cave-ins.

Sloping
A method of protecting personnel from sidewall cave-in by forming sides of an excavation
that are inclined away from the excavation. The safe angle of slope required varies with
different types of soil, exposure to the elements, and superimposed loads.

Soil Classification
A method of categorizing soil and rock deposits as Types A, B, and C in decreasing order of
stability. Soil type is determined by an analysis of the soil's properties and how it performs
under exposure to the elements and superimposed loads. If the type of soil cannot be
accurately determined, then Type C soil is to be assumed for design of protective systems.

Stable Rock
Natural solid mineral matter that can be excavated with vertical sides and remain intact
while exposed.

Trench
A trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and is
no wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters).

Trench Shield
A structure that protects personnel inside it by withstanding the forces imposed by sidewall
cave-in on two (2) sides.

Type A Soil
Cohesive soils with an unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 ton per square foot (tsf) (144
kPa) or greater are classified as Type A. Examples of cohesive soils are: clay, silty clay, sandy
clay, clay loam, and, in some cases, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam. Cemented soils,
such as marl, are also considered Type A. However, no soil is Type A if one or more of the
following conditions are true:
• The soil is fissured.
• The soil is subject to vibration from heavy traffic, pile driving, or similar effects.
• The soil has been previously disturbed.
• The soil is part of a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the excavation on a
slope of four horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or greater.
• The material is subject to other factors that would require it to be classified as a less
stable material.

Type B Soil
Soils classified as Type B are:
• Cohesive soils with an unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tsf (48 kPa)
but less than 1.5 tsf (144 kPa).
• Granular cohesionless soils including angular gravel (similar to crushed rock), silt, silt
loam, sandy loam, and, in some cases, silty clay loam and sandy loam clay.
• Soil that meets the unconfined compressive strength or cementation requirements
for Type A - but is fissured or subject to vibration.
• Dry rock that is not stable.
• Material that is part of a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the
excavation on a slope less steep than four horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) but only if
the material would otherwise be classified as Type B.

Type C Soil
Soils classified as Type C are:
• Cohesive soils with an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tsf (48 kPa) or less.
• Previously disturbed soil (e.g., fill) is to be considered as Type C soil.
• Granular soils, including gravel, sweet sand, desert sand, and loamy sand.
• Submerged soil or soil from which water is freely seeping.
• Submerged rock that is not stable.
• Material in a sloped layered system where the layers dip into the excavation or a slope
of four horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or greater.

Roles & Responsibilities

Project Manager / Unit Head

The Project Manager is responsible for the management of all excavation activities on the site
and for ensuring that excavation activities are carried out in a safe manner.

Civil Engineer / Maintenance Engineer

The Civil Engineer / Maintenance Engineer will carry out the following activities:
• prior to any excavation being dug, carry out a prior survey of the area to establish the
presence of any underground utilities;
• evaluate the effects of the excavation on buildings or constructions nearby;
• establish ground conditions, e.g. the type of ground involved, clay, sand etc. and
compaction qualities and water table;
• identify the presence of any overhead-underground lines and other obstructions;
• identify the need for any permits that are required in the area and arrange for them;
• brief the personnel carrying out the work of any adjacent operations that may impact
on the work, the presence of overhead and underground utilities;
• identifying all underground facilities;
• In case digging will uncover material that have the potential to be hazardous to
health, excavation will be immediately stopped up to the nature of material will be
clarified and required safety measures applied.

Supervisor
Supervisor will be responsible for the following:
• briefing personnel doing the work on the safe working practices required;
• application of any work permits that are provided;
• provision of equipment that is capable of carrying out the work safely, has been
maintained and is certified for use on the project;
• provision of adequate barriers, flashing lights and signs for the work;
• programme the work to ensure that any trenches that go across roads are done so in a
manner that maintains access;
• notify the engineer of any unmarked utilities found.

HSE Team

• Conduct periodical inspection of excavation site to assure the procedural compliance.

• Advice the Engineer or Supervisor for corrective measures in case discrepancy is noticed at
the site of excavation.

Procedure

Hazards of Excavation & Trenching

The following hazards may be encountered while excavating or working inside a trench

• Cave - ins or collapse of soil / earthwork

• Buried alive under earthwork / collapsed soil
• Underground obstruction or damage to buried pipelines & services
• Accidental fall of personnel or equipment inside a trench
• Struck / hit by excavating machinery
• Flammable & / or toxic gas release
• Fire & explosion
 • Electrical shock due to contact with energized electrical / telecom cable.
• Drowning due to water seepage into trench
• Soil vibration due to machinery / heavy vehicles operations in the vicinity.
• Possible presence of explosive devices
• Lack of Oxygen or asphyxiation
• Damage to shallow underground services due to weight of heavy equipment
such as mechanical excavator.
• Observing wet soil (mixed with water) or reaching water table.
• Observing contaminated soil
The above - mentioned list is not exhaustive and it is recommended to carry out a site-
specific risk evaluation to identify additional hazards as well as to incorporate mitigation
accordingly.

5.2 Control of Excavation Hazard

Excavation accident can only be prevented by identifying & controlling their inherent hazards by:
• Evaluating the site before and after excavation
• Site Specific Risk Assessment & Job Safety Analysis
• Approval and authorization through Excavation Notification & Work Permit

5.3 Prior to Excavation and trenching Activity

To minimize the risk to men, plant and equipment and to enable the work to proceed
without interruption, the following factors shall be considered to assess the risk before the job
starts:
• Size and purpose of excavation
• Proposed excavation method (i.e. manual or mechanical)
• Nature of soil being excavated.
• Nature of soil surrounding the excavation
• Stability of adjacent structure.
• Position of any underground services (such as pipelines, cables, utilities)
• Sources of soil vibration
• Traffic condition on the adjacent road.
• Weather & soil moisture condition
• Rescue Plan
These factors must be taken into consideration when performing the risk assessment and will
indicate precautions that must be implemented to allow the work to proceed safely.
Suitable protective measures shall be provided whenever excavation work is to be carried
out to a depth of 1.2 meters (4 feet) or more. Excavation work to a depth of less than 1.2
meters (4 feet) may also require protective systems which shall be determined by the
relevant risk assessment.

5.3 Work Permit

Excavation work permit certificate is essentially required for all excavation work greater than
300 mm depth and for all mechanical excavation irrespective of depth of excavation.
The Permit Holder must ensure he understand completely the nature of the work and all
precautions and requirements to undertake the work before he accepts and signs the permit.

5.4 Precautionary Measures for Excavation

The following precautionary measures must be taken to ensure safety of the personnel as
well as integrity of the worksite:
• No mechanical excavation shall take place closer than 5 meters to any hydrocarbon carrying
pipeline. Such restriction will apply even for levelling (with the use of mechanical
excavator) at a worksite near hydrocarbon carrying pipelines.
• Similarly, no mechanical excavation shall take place closer than 3 meter to a non-hydrocarbon
carrying pipeline, cables and services. However, for any mechanical excavation closer
than 3 meter to pipelines, cables or services, it is recommended thorough risk
assessment and control measures.
• In order to reduce the risk of striking the pipe or underground services, the excavation will
start at the side of the pipeline or midway between parallel lines. Manual slit trench
shall be done along the length of identified underground services at appropriate
intervals in the area marked for excavation in order to expose and positively locate
such known or suspected underground services before commencing the use of
mechanical excavator at the work site.
• Ground conditions shall also be assessed to confirm additional protection for shallow buried
services prior to deploying any mechanical excavator at site.
• Excavations adjacent to buildings or other obstructions may require temporary support, and
accordingly the relevant safety instruction must be stated in the Excavation
Notification before taking up excavation activity.
• For any excavation deeper than 1m, suitable ladder must be positioned projecting a minimum
of 1 metre above the edge of the excavations. Ladders shall be securely supported
at the bottom as well as at the top.
• Any walkway across trench shall have scaffold type platform with handrails to protect
personnel from falling into it.
• All trenches shall have barrier and warning notices clearly displayed. Flashing lights during
poor visibility.
• The access to plant, equipment and emergency services must not be obstructed by the
trenches.
• Personnel carrying out excavation work must use PPE in line with the requirements of HSEMS
“Personnel Protective Equipment” procedure.

5.5 Roads, Streets, and Sidewalks

Excavation work on or near roads, streets, and sidewalks are not performed without prior
approval of the relevant authorities.
Local government authority approval needs to be obtained prior to excavation work on,
under (e.g., thrust boring), or near a public highway or right-of-way.
5.6 Inspection of Trenches
To identify and control hazards a competent person must inspect all parts of a trench
and its safeguards every day in consideration to following issues:
• All materials to be used in shoring & support must be inspected for its suitability
• The timbering and shoring must be checked for any strain or slackness before
commencement of daily work. Moreover timbering and shoring must also be checked
carefully after heavy rains and or exposure to high temperature.
• All excavations must be carefully inspected following heavy rains, collapse of trenches
or fall of equipment or materials inside.
• If an unsafe condition is found or suspected, work in trenches must stop until the
necessary precautions have been taken to control the hazards.
• A trench & pit that exceed 1.2 meter shall be treated as Confined Space and shall be
checked for toxic gas, flammable gas as well as lack of oxygen. In such situation the
requirement as applicable to Confined Space Entry Permit will be adhered

5.7 Execution of the Work

During the process of earth removal, will be followed the following safe working procedures:
• Personnel will be kept clear of machinery whilst it is in operation, minimum distance
of 5 metres;
• Barriers and signs will be erected to keep unauthorised personnel clear; they will be placed at
1.5 m from the edge of the excavation edge;
• Trucks used for the removal of soil will be controlled and sited by a banks man and
will be placed at least at 1.5 m from the excavation;
• The on-going provision of side supports will be programmed into the work to maintain
the integrity of the excavation;
• Personnel engaged in hand digging operations will be briefed on the actions to be taken
when uncovering marker tiles, cables, pipework etc.;
• Excavated soil will be stacked a minimum distance of 1.5 metre from the edge of
the excavation edge; this distance will be increase depending of the depth of the
excavation;
• Excavations in excess of 3 meters, adjacent to structures, subject to vibration or ground
water will require a plan provided by a civil engineer.
Excavation in Type “ ” Soil
• All simple slope excavations made in Type A soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth
are to
have a slope of not greater than 3/4 horizontal to 1 vertical.

7
All benched excavations made in Type A soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth are to
have a
maximum allowable slope of 3/4 horizontal to 1 vertical and maximum bench dimensions
as
follows

SIMPLE BENCH

MULTIPLE BENCH
• All excavations made in Type A soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth, which have
vertically sided lower portions that are supported or shielded, are to have a maximum
allowable slope of 3/4 to 1. The support or shield system must extend at least 0.45 m (18
in) above the top of the vertical side.
Excavation in Type “B” Soil
• All simple slope excavations made in Type B soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth
are to have a slope of not greater than 1 horizontal to 1 vertical

SIMPLE SLOPE
• All benched excavations made in Type B soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth are to
have a
maximum allowable slope of 1 horizontal to 1 vertical and maximum bench
dimensions as
shown below. Benched excavations that are unsupported or unshielded are permitted
only in cohesive soils.
 SIMPLE BENCH

MULTIPLE BENCH
• All excavations made in Type B soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth that have
vertically
sided lower portions are to be shielded or supported to a height at least 0.45 m (18 in)
above
the top of the vertical side. All such excavations are to have a maximum allowable
slope of
1:1.
Excavation in Type “C” Soil
• All simple slope excavations made in Type C soil that are 6 m (20 ft) or less in depth
are to
have a slope of not greater than 1-1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical.
Using excavation Machinery
The use of excavating machinery (such as backhoe, hack hammer, loader etc) near
above / underground services will require Excavation Permit. The following precautions are
to be taken while using mechanical means of excavation:
• Extreme care shall be taken to prevent any damage to above / underground services or
power
lines while using mechanical excavators.
• A mechanical excavator shall not be used until all underground obstructions have
been
uncovered through manual excavation.
• The machinery operator shall take extra care and follow banksman instruction while
reversing
or turning the excavator to prevent any accidental strike to the workers or
equipment at
location.
• The bucket must always be lowered to the ground if the loader or backhoe is not in operation.
• The machinery operator shall take necessary care to prevent exhaust gases
entering the
nearby trench or pit in case personnel are working inside it.

Dewatering
• Employees are not to work in excavations where there is pooled water, or in
excavations in
which water is accumulating, unless adequate precautions have been taken to
protect
employees. The necessary precautions vary with each situation, but are to include
water
 removal to control the level of accumulating water (e.g., by pumping) and may also
include special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins.
• If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating by the use of water removal equipment,
the water removal equipment and operations needs to be monitored.
• If excavation work interrupts the natural drainage of surface water (such as streams),
diversion ditches, dikes, or other suitable means need to be used to prevent surface
water
from entering the excavation and to provide adequate drainage of the area adjacent
to the
excavation.
• Excavations that have been subject to runoff (e.g., from a rain storm) need to be inspected
before use.

5.8 Completion
• Adequate fencing, barriers and warning notices are to be provided around any excavated area
to alert and prevent accidental fall into it. Posting flaggers and / or watchman will be
required
if the trench is in a heavy traffic area. It is also recommended to illuminate the
excavated area
in the night and provide flashing hazard light. Any person entering the barricaded
area must
follow safety procedures to eliminate fall from height hazard in line with
requirements of
“Working at Height Procedure”. Where equipment, workers or public are
required or
permitted to cross over a trench; then it is essential to provide a close - planked
bridge or
walkway with standard guard rail.
• Stairways, ladders, ramps and/or other safe means of egress are to be located in excavations
that are 1.2 m (4 ft) or more in depth so as to require no more than 7.5 m (25 ft) of
lateral
travel distance for personnel (i.e., ladders need to be spaced at least every 15 m [50 ft]
along
a trench).
• Ladders are to rest on the bottom of the excavation and extend at least 1 m (3 ft) above the
top landing point
• Gas tests are to be performed when there is reason to suspect oxygen deficiency or the
presence of a flammable/toxic atmosphere in an excavation. Where necessary,
mechanical ventilation or other appropriate precautions are to be taken before
personnel entry
• Walkways a minimum of 600 mm wide will be placed across trenches where access is
required and shall be fitted with handrails and will be separated from roadways
• When the access to the excavation is made by a stairway in soil, there will be enough
effort and support table to prevent erosion and landslides
• Uncovered services and utilities will be adequately supported by propping/slinging or any
other method identified as appropriate

5.9 Backfilling & Reinstatement

Backfill operations shall be carried out in accordance with the following guidelines:
• Backstops will be provided for vehicles dumping material to prevent them over
running
the edge
• Consideration will be given to the specification for compaction qualities, need for tile
markers
and tiles and other protection measures necessary for the protection of equipment
• Redundant soil not backfilled will be removed to an area identified in advance
 • A safe system of work will be identified and implemented for the removal of timber
supports,
steel sheeting and piles. Consideration will include provision of lifting appliances
suitable to
take the load of embedded sheet piles without damage.

5.10 Inspections
Excavations greater than 300 mm shall be inspected on daily basis by a competent person
using the Daily Excavation Checklist
• Before the start of the work
• After a rainfall or any water seeps in.

5.11 Training
All employees who are to be engaged in excavation works shall be instructed by a
competent person on safe methods of working. Instruction will cover as a minimum the
following subjects:
• Requirements for excavation permit.
• Shoring, Benching, Sloping
• Removal of spoil.
• Exclusion zones for machines & equipment alongside excavations.
• Unstable soil.
• Leaching of water through excavation walls.
• Access and egress
• Placement of Material into excavation by cranes or other machinery.

5.12 Records
SL.NO Description Format No
1 Excavation Checklist LTHE/HSE/PR03/F01
2 Gas Test Record LTHE/ HSE/PR03/F02