Safe Excavation & Trenching Procedure

Majnoon Oil Field BOC-
1962 Ancillary Roads

and Infrastructure
Safe Excavation & Trenching Procedure
001 Issued for Review 30 Oct 2023 Mustafa Sudeep D Monthir S

Rev Reason For Issue Date Author Checker Approver
.
Rev.
ANRD-INF-MFC-CS-7403-0001
001
Safe Excavation & Trenching Procedure BOC-1962 Ancillary Roads and Infrastructure
Revision History
Revision
Revision Approver Summary of
Number
Date Changes
30-Oct-23 001 Monthir First submission
Holds
Hold Description / Reason for Ref. Section
Ref. Hold
HOLD 1
HOLD 2
HOLD 3
Reference Documents
Ref Document Number Rev Document
. . Title
1 5.0 BOC-1962 Section V - Scope Rev - Scope of Work
of Work 2
ANRD-INF-MFC-CS-7403-0001 Page 2 of 15 Rev.: 001
Uncontrolled when printed or stored locally

CONTENTS
1 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................5
2 SCOPE .....................................................................................................................................5
3 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS ...................................................................................................5
4 DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS .........................................................................................5
4.1 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................. 5
4.2 Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 7
5 RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................8
5.1 CONTRACTOR Construction Manager ................................................................................................ 8
5.2 CONTRACTOR Competent Excavation Person .................................................................................. 8
5.3 CONTRACTOR Department Managers ................................................................................................ 8
5.4 Performing Authority/Subcontractor ................................................................................................... 8
5.5 CONTRACTOR HSE Manager ............................................................................................................... 8
5.6 CONTRACTOR SHE Supervisors ......................................................................................................... 8
6 PROCEDURE ...........................................................................................................................9
6.1 Task Preparation.................................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Excavation Design Approvals ............................................................................................................ 11
6.3 Soil Classification ................................................................................................................................ 12
6.4 Soil Mechanics ..................................................................................................................................... 12
6.5 Stability and Protection ....................................................................................................................... 14
6.6 Road Closures ..................................................................................................................................... 16
6.7 Initial and Daily Inspection of Excavations ....................................................................................... 16
6.8 Access and Egress .............................................................................................................................. 16
6.9 Crossings ............................................................................................................................................. 17
6.10 Equipment ......................................................................................................................................... 17
6.11 Edge Protection ................................................................................................................................ 17
6.12 Excavation Spoils............................................................................................................................. 18
6.13 Undermining ..................................................................................................................................... 18
6.14 Dewatering ........................................................................................................................................ 18
6.15 Emergency Response ...................................................................................................................... 18
6.16 Vibrations or Superimposed Loads................................................................................................ 18
7 TRAINING ..............................................................................................................................19
8 RECORDS ..............................................................................................................................19
9 LIFE-SAVING RULES ............................................................................................................19

1. Bypassing safety controls: ................................................................................................................. 19

2. Confined space: ................................................................................................................................... 19
3. Follow safe driving rules:.................................................................................................................... 19
4. Energy isolation: .................................................................................................................................. 21
5. Hot work: .............................................................................................................................................. 21
6. Line of fire: ........................................................................................................................................... 21
7. Safe mechanical lifting: ....................................................................................................................... 21
8. Work authorization: ............................................................................................................................. 21
9. Work at height:..................................................................................................................................... 21
10 ATTACHMENTS ....................................................................................................................22
Attachment 1 - Sloping, Benching and Shoring GuideSummary of Soil Types ..................................... 23
Attachment 2 - Initial/Daily Inspection Checklist ....................................................................................... 27

1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to establish essential requirements and controls to ensure that
excavation works carried out within the project site do not cause harm to persons carrying out the
excavation or working within the excavation and do not cause damage to buried services, pipelines,
properties or the environment.
2 SCOPE
This procedure covers all excavations and trenches that will be carried out at the project site.
Excavation works carried out within any existing area (e.g. brown field area where the Client has
care, custody and control) would be regulated and managed in accordance with the relevant Client
requirements, unless, agreed otherwise.
3 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
1 OSHA 1926 Subpart P - Excavations

2 ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard
3 ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard
4 World Bank Group, Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
5 USA OSHA limits for Air Contaminants
6 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines
7 Article 41 Protection of the Environment
8 Specification of Sanitary Landfill of Wastes
International Labor Organization Code of Practice on Safety & Health in Building &
9
Engineering Work Sections 37, 38 and 39
BOC/KBR Applicable Standards.
10
4 DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS
4.1 Definitions
The following definitions shall be applied for this project.
Agent Any substance, force, organism or influence that affects the body, a part of
the body, or any of its functions. The effects may be beneficial or harmful.
ALARP ALARP stands for "as low as reasonably practicable", and is a term often
used in the regulation and management of safety-critical and safety-involved
systems. The ALARP principle is that the residual risk shall be reduced as
low as reasonably practicable.
The key question in determining whether a risk is ALARP is the definition of

reasonably practicable. This term originated from the UK legislation. The
ruling was that the risk must be significant in relation to the sacrifice (in terms
of money, time or trouble) required to avert it: risks must be averted unless
there is a gross disproportion between the costs and benefits of doing so.
Manufacturer / Company which participates in the bid for the designated
Bidder Equipment / Materials, prepares and submits a proposal to Contractor in
compliance with “Request for Quotation”.

Previously developed land, with the intention to re-develop, re-use or expand,

Brownfield and which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances,
pollutants or contaminants.
Commissioning is the phase in a project when design process fluids are
introduced. For hydrocarbon systems, the commissioning activities
commence with inerting operations. Commissioning activities normally consist
Commissioning of activities associated with running or operating the plant and include
operating adjustments necessary for satisfactory operation of the plant or part
thereof. Included are functional checks which are methods used to prove an
item of mechanical equipment or control system functions correctly.
Competent Person A person who has the practical skills, experience and knowledge to
undertake a task to a recognized, safe standard considering all predictable
hazards associated with the work and the environment or surroundings in
which it is undertaken.
Confined SpaceEntry The action by which a person passes through an opening into a confined
space. Entry includes ensuing work activities, inspection and survey.
Confined Space An area is a confined space if the space is not intended for continuous human
occupancy or is restricted to only one access way. To be considered a
confined space, such areas would also typically have poor or no ventilation
and there would be a high probability that oxygen levels would be low, and
that dusts, vapors or gases would be present.
Contractor Madar Alfayaa Company.
Employer BOC/KBR
Excavation All work which breaks the ground surface and extends below it except for
designated garden areas where the depth of excavation does not exceed
200mm. This includes digging by both manual and mechanical means.
Greenfield A new Project development requiring new facilities and where no previous
infrastructure exists.
Performing Authority The performing authority is the party which holds the permit of a task that
requires obtaining a ‘Permit to Work’ prior to commencement of the work.
This party is usually the direct Supervisor of the task.
Permit to Work A formal written system used to control certain types of work which are
identified as hazardous.
Pre-Commissioning activities start when the plant, or system, achieves

Mechanical Completion. Frequently however, Pre-Commissioning activities
overlap Mechanical Completion activities and for this reason the plant should
be separated into easily manageable system package. Each system package
will be Pre-Commissioned as a whole and isolations at the boundaries of the
system package will be maintained until the completion of Pre-Commissioning
Pre-commissioning
activities. Pre-Commissioning activities include:
• checking for design conformity;
• checking the status of electrical, mechanical and instrument installations;
• running-in of equipment;
• flushing and cleaning activities;
drying, etc.

4.2 Abbreviations
Abbreviations and some terms used in this document are SHE and industry specific. To ensure all
personnel involved in, and responsible for, the implementation and application of the SHE MS have
the same understanding, all abbreviations and specific terms used in this document are defined in
this section.
ALARP As Low as Reasonably Practicable

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMS Environmental Management System
ENVID Environmental Hazard Identification
HAZID Hazard Identification
HRA Health Risk Assessment
HSE Health, Safety & Environment
JSA Job Safety Analysis
KPI Key Performance Indicator
PMC Project Management Consultant
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PTW Permit to Work
QRA Quantitative Risk Assessment
RAM Risk Assessment Matrix
RCA Root Cause Analysis
CM Construction Manager
SOC Site Operation Center
STARRT Safety Task Analysis Risk Reduction Talk
SHE Safety, Health & Environment
SIMOPS Simultaneous Operations
SSHE Safety, Security, Health & Environment
SWMS Safe Work Method Statement
TBT Toolbox Talk

5 RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 CONTRACTOR Construction Manager

• Provide sufficient resources for the effective implementation of this procedure.
• Issue letter of appointment to CONTRACTOR competent excavation persons.
5.2 CONTRACTOR Competent Excavation Person

• Inspect the proposed excavation area with the Performing Authority prior to excavation PTW
application to ensure that all underground utilities are duly identified.
• Verify excavation stability.
• Maintain records of all initial and daily excavation inspection checklists.
• Ensure excavation works carried out on site comply with the requirements specified in this
procedure, excavation PTW and excavation design approvals, where required.
• Conduct field inspections to ensure that excavations are maintained in a safe condition and to
stop works when conditions change or deviate from planned arrangements.
5.3 CONTRACTOR Department Managers

• Inform CONTRACTOR Construction Manager and CONTRACTOR Civil Department Manager
as soon as underground utilities are installed to facilitate the timely updating of underground
utilities drawings.
• Check and confirm that the requirements specified in the excavation PTW are the same as the
actual site condition prior to indicating their concurrence on the PTW.
5.4 Performing Authority/Subcontractor

• Conduct an on-site inspection with the CONTRACTOR competent excavation personprior to
the application for a PTW.
• Ensure excavation works carried out on site complies with the requirements specified in this
procedure, excavation PTW and excavation design approvals, where required.
• Ensure all employees tasked to perform excavation works are trained and demonstrate sufficient
competency.
• Ensure excavation works are fully supervised at all times. Works shall cease in the absence of
the field supervisor.
5.5 CONTRACTOR HSE Manager

• Ensure the contents of this procedure are brought to the attention of all personnel who would
be involved in excavation works via appropriate training.
• Maintain an up to date list of all competent excavation persons.
• Support the construction team in performing a confined space risk assessment for those
excavations which are deemed to be a confined space.
5.6 CONTRACTOR SHE Supervisors

• Conduct field checks to ensure that excavation works are carried out in accordance with the
requirements of this procedure and that employees are trained for the task.
• Check and confirm that equipment used for excavation work are inspected and in a serviceable

condition.
6 PROCEDURE
6.1 Task Preparation

Prior to any excavation works a SWMS and JSA shall be developed by the performing party and
approved by CONTRACTOR. The SWMS shall address the following considerations as a
minimum:
• Purpose, dimensions of excavation and work to be performed.
• Equipment that shall be used for the excavation.
• Soil classification.
• Stability and proximity of adjacent structures, including the location and depth of foundations.
• Location of underground obstruction such as pipes, electric cables and other utilities.
• Presence of nearby process equipment or piping with the potential for release of hydrocarbons
or toxic materials.
• Weather and soil moisture conditions, especially high-water tables.
• Sources of soil vibrations (highway traffic, machinery etc.).
• Location and types of barricades, signs and lighting.
• Method of excavating and removal of soil.
• Protective system to be used (benching, sloping or shoring).
• Emergency rescue equipment required.
• The impact the excavation would have on access for emergency vehicles/personnel and
egress
of personnel in the event of an emergency.
• Means of entry and exit.
A STARRT meeting shall then be conducted on-site, with all employees involved in the excavation
works prior to the actual performance of works on site.
An excavation PTW is required for any excavation work deeper than 200mm. The excavation PTW
shall be issued to the Supervisor in charge of the task who shall have a competent understanding of
excavations; capable of identifying existing and foreseeable hazards and who is authorized to take
prompt measures to eliminate such hazards.
All excavation PTWs shall be accompanied with drawings of all relevant underground utilities
identified from existing as-built drawings and from the worksite visit. Relevant CONTRACTOR
Department Managers shall be responsible to review these drawings to ensure that all underground
utilities have been clearly marked and appropriate measures taken to safeguard these utilities.
Typically, they should visit the work location to physically ensure that the actual site condition tallies
with the details provided in the PTW application.
6.1.1 Drawings
CONTRACTOR Civil Department shall obtain copies of existing underground as-built drawings
showing the location of utilities. In addition, CONTRACTOR Civil Department shall maintain drawings
of all temporary underground services, such as sewer, water, fuel, electrical lines and
telecommunication lines. Temporary underground utilities shall not be installed without the prior
approval of CONTRACTOR Civil Department. Permanent underground utilities shall only be installed
after notification to CONTRACTOR Civil Department in accordance with project planning.

CONTRACTOR Civil Department shall provide updated copies of all underground facility drawings
to CONTRACTOR PTW Office in a timely manner for the processing of excavationPTWs.
6.1.2 Worksite Visit

Prior to the application of a PTW for excavation, the Performing Authority, Issuing Authority and
CONTRACTOR competent excavation person shall carry out a field check to determine the presence
of any underground utilities or adjacent existing structures which may have an adverse impact to the
planned excavation works.
All underground utilities shall be located by reference to existing drawings, discussion with the
responsible discipline, and by use of underground electrical cable detector which can detect live and
isolated cables. Underground utilities which are located within the area of the proposed excavation
or within 2m of the proposed excavation or located parallel to the proposed excavation, where there
exists a danger of accidental contact or disturbance, shall be clearly and prominently marked using
flags, pegs, chalks etc. The perimeter of the proposed excavation area shall also be physically
marked at site with distinguishable markings.
In addition, CONTRACTOR competent excavation person shall examine the work area to determine
that no recognizable conditions exist that would expose employees to injury before work is permitted
in or adjacent to excavations.
6.1.3 Confined Space
All excavation and trenches deeper than 1.2 meters shall be classed as a confined space, unless a
confined space risk assessment is carried out to determine otherwise. Entry into confined space
designated excavations and trenches requires, in addition to the excavation permit, a confined space
entry permit. Deep excavations that are confined spaces shall be managed in accordance with the
requirements of the CONTRACTOR Confined Space Entry Procedure.
6.1.4 Trial Excavations
All identified underground utilities identified during the worksite visit shall be subjected to a trial
excavation to physically expose the underground utilities. The depth of the trial excavation is typically
about 1m and dependent on the kind of utilities and information of depth. All trial excavations shall
be carried out using manual hand tools only. When underground utilities are uncovered, adequate
protection and support shall be provided for the existing installation.
6.1.5 Notification
All responsible disciplines owning underground utility lines shall be notified by the Task Supervisor
and advised of the proposed work at least 48 hours prior to the start of the actual excavation works.
Emergency repair works to underground utilities are possible, but every means shall be taken to
mitigate the risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Hence, emergency repair works are
exempted from this notification requirement.
6.2 Excavation Design Approvals

A detailed excavation design is required when a proposed excavation is:
• Deeper than six meters, or
• To be protected by an alternate shoring, sloping or benching system described in this procedure
(or a combination thereof), or
• To be protected by any form of shoring system to prevent the side walls from caving in.
The proposed excavation shall be designed by a qualified and competent engineer and shall be able
to support all existing and expected loads. Special considerations shall be made for an excavation
or trench adjacent to structures or subject to vibration or ground water. The design shall also indicate
the following factors as a minimum:
• Sketches and details along with relevant calculations.
• Soil classification.
• Materials and shoring system that would be used (if applicable).

• If any shoring components will remain after filling or backfilling (if applicable).
• Sequence and method of shoring installation and removal (if applicable).
All excavation designs shall be submitted to CONTRACTOR Civil Department for their reviewand final
approval before field works may commence.
6.3 Soil Classification

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the classification of soils
to protect workers from injury when working in excavations and trenches. OSHA uses three (3) soil
classifications plus one for rock, based primarily on strength but also other factors which affect the
stability of cut slopes:
6.3.1 Stable Rock
Stable rock is solid mineral matter that can be excavated with vertical sides and remain intact while
exposed. It is usually identified by a rock name such as granite or sandstone.
6.3.2 Type A Soil
Type A soil is previously undisturbed cohesive or cemented soil, such as clay or marl. They have an
unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tons per square foot (144kPa) or greater.
6.3.3 Type B Soil
Type B soil is less cohesive than Type A soil, such as mix of sand, rocks and clay. They have an
unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tons per square foot but less than 1.5 tons per
square foot.
6.3.4 Type C Soil
Type C soil is the least cohesive soil. Examples are gravel, sand, muddy or freely seeping soils,
submerged rock that is not stable, or a layered system. Previously disturbed soil is Type C soil. They
have an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tons per square foot or less.
6.4 Soil Mechanics

Many stresses and deformations can occur in an open cut or trench. For example, increases or
decreases in moisture content can adversely affect the stability of a trench or excavation. The
diagrams below show some of the more frequently identified causes of trench failure.
6.4.1 Tension Cracks
Usually forms at a horizontal distance of 0.5 to 0.75 times the depth of the trench, measured from
the top of the vertical face of the trench. See the accompanying drawing for additional details.
6.4.2 Sliding
Sliding or sluffing may occur as a result of tension cracks, as illustrated below.

6.4.3 Toppling
In addition to sliding, tension cracks can cause toppling. Toppling occurs when the trench’s vertical
face shears along the tension crack line and topples into the excavation.
6.4.4 Subsidence and Bulging

An unsupported excavation can create unbalanced stress in the soil, which, in turn causes
subsidence at the surface and bulging of the vertical face of the trench. If uncorrected, this condition
can cause face failure and entrapment of workers in the trench.
6.4.5 Heaving or Squeezing

Bottom heaving or squeezing is caused by the downward pressure created by the weight of adjoining
soil. This pressure causes a bulge in the bottom of the cut, as illustrated in the drawing below.
Heaving and squeezing can occur even when shoring or shielding has been properly installed.
6.4.6 Boiling
Boiling is evidenced by an upward flow into the bottom of the cut. A high-water table is one of the
causes of boiling. Boiling produces a ‘quick’ condition in the bottom of the cut and can occur even
when shoring or trench boxes are used.

6.5 Stability and Protection

This section specifies the various types of protections that shall be in place when employees are
tasked to work in excavations deeper than 1.2 meters. All excavations 1.2 meters or more in depth
shall be protected by a system of shoring, sloping of the ground, benching or other alternate means
as approved by CONTRACTOR competent excavation person. In all cases, the determinationof slope
angle, benches or choice and design of shoring shall be based on an evaluation by the
CONTRACTOR competent excavation person and the following factors, such as:
• Type of Soil (i.e. Stable Rock, Type A, B or C Soil).
• Depth of excavation.
• Possible variation in water content of the soil while the excavation is open.
• Anticipated changes in soil from exposure to air, sun or water.
• Loading imposed by structures, equipment, overlying material or stored material.
• Vibrations from equipment, blasting, traffic or other sources.
6.5.1 Shoring
All materials of the shoring system shall be free from defects and damage that may impair their
protective function. No part of the shoring of an excavation shall be removed until signs have been
erected and effective means have been taken to avoid hazards to employees from moving ground.
Employees shall be adequately trained to look for signs of shoring or sidewall bulge, surface cracking,
sand penetration from behind shoring or cracked shoring, which can be a warning sign of an
impending collapse that is about to happen.
6.5.2 Trench Shoring System
Shoring systems in trenches consists of uprights held rigidly opposite each other against the trench
walls by jacks or horizontal cross members (braces) and, if required, longitudinal members
(stringers/walling). Below image 1 is a representation of the requirements discussed in this section.
Image 1 - Shoring System
The dimensions and spacing of the elements of the shoring system area are governed by the depth
of the trench, type of soil encountered and other special conditions of the site, but in no case, provide

less strength than the number of members which the CONTRACTOR competent excavation person
considers to be the minimum required to safely shore the excavation.
6.5.3 Excavation Boxes and Trench Shields
A portable excavation box or trench shield may be used for the protection of employees instead of
shoring, benching or sloping. All excavation boxes and trench shield shall be designed, constructed
and maintained to provide protection equal to or greater than the required shoring, sloping or
benching requirement. The design for custom made excavation boxes or trench shield shall be
reviewed and approved by a qualified CONTRACTOR Civil Engineer before use.
Excavation boxes and trench shield shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations and to restrict lateral or other movement of the box or trench shield. Excavation
boxes and trench shields shall be capable of withstanding any sudden application of lateral loads. In
line with OSHA guidelines, excavation boxes or trench shields shall be extended a minimum of 0.45m
(18”) above the excavation. The images 2-4 below are examples of trench shields commonly used.
Image 2 Image 3 Image 4
6.5.4 Sloping or Benching System

In lieu of a shoring system, the sides or walls of an excavation may be sloped, provided equivalent
protection is afforded. However, the determination of the slope angle, or benches is to be based on
an evaluation by the excavation competent person of the pertinent factors specified in the beginning
of this section. A detailed description of soil types, maximum allowable slopes, sloped excavations
and benched excavations made in the different type of soil is provided as Attachment 1 – Sloping,
Benching and Shoring Guide.
6.5.5 Bell Holes
Bell hole excavations for pipelaying shall provide adequate clearance for the work to be carried out.
If the operation performed in the bell hole requires that an employee must use welding equipment
from a reclined position on the bottom, the bell hole excavation will be of such that the employee has
adequate space for the performance of this operation. Entry ways shall be made close to where any
workers are performing their tasks. Image 5 below shows an example of a Bell Hole.

Image 5 – Bell Hole
6.6 Road Closures

Roads shall only be closed for excavation works when a road closure PTW has been issued for the
intended closure. The Performing Authority in consultation with the CONTRACTOR Civil Department
Manager and CONTRACTOR Transport Coordination Manager shall provide alternative access
routes in such cases.
A notification indicating the road that will be closed and an alternative route, shall be sent to all
relevant personnel on the project, in a timely manner, prior to the actual closure. In addition, the
Performing Authority shall provide the following:
• Adequate barriers at both upstream and downstream of the road which will be closed.
• Flashing lights which shall be installed on the barriers at both upstream and downstream of the
road which will be closed.
• Signage indicating road closure, duration and purpose.
• Directional signage providing guidance towards alternative route.
• Flagmen to help guide traffic at both ends of the road closure during working hours.
6.7 Initial and Daily Inspection of Excavations

A documented inspection shall be performed by an excavation competent person before workers
can initially enter an excavation or after a change in site conditions (e.g. heavy rains, groundwater
infiltration, sidewall deterioration, adjacent ground fissuring).
As per OSHA Guidelines, where excavations are greater than 2.4m deep, a documented inspection
by the excavation competent person shall be performed each morning before workers can enter the
excavation.
An excavation safety checklist shall be used to document these initial and daily inspections. A sample
of an excavation inspection checklist is provided in Attachment 2 – Initial/Daily Excavation Inspection
Checklist. All completed excavation checklists shall be submitted to the CONTRACTOR competent
excavation person at the end of the workday.
6.8 Access and Egress

A convenient and safe means of access/egress shall be provided for employees working in an
excavation. This shall consist of a stairway, ladder or ramp securely placed where employees are
working. Homemade ladders shall not be used.

In excavations or trenches of 1.2 meters in depth or more, a safe means of access/egress shall be
provided which would require no more than 10 meters of lateral travel distance. Ladders used in an
excavation shall rest on the bottom of the excavation on a firm footing and extend at least 1 meter
above the top of the landing point for good handhold.
6.9 Crossings
Surface crossings of trenches or excavations shall be discouraged. However, if trenches or
excavations must be crossed, such crossings are permitted only under the following conditions:
• Vehicles Crossings – Shall be designed by and installed under the supervision of a registered
professional engineer or an engineer of equivalent competency.
• Walkways or bridges provided for pedestrians and utilities over a trench or excavation shall;
o Have a minimum clear width of 1 meter.
o Be fitted with standard guardrails, mid-rails and toe boards and extend a minimum of 1
meter past the surface edge of the trench or excavation.
o Be of sufficient strength for the intended load.
o Have protection for any utilities being taken across it.
Walkways or bridges constructed with scaffolding materials shall fully comply with the requirements
specified in the Scaffold Procedure.
6.10 Equipment
All excavation equipment shall be inspected and approved for use on site in accordance with the
project’s Plant & Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Procedure.
Any employee working near operating equipment shall take such measures to ensure that they will
not be crushed by such equipment and its moving parts. Employees shall be kept away from the
working slew radius of a mechanical excavator (line of fire) except the nominated banksman who
shall be visible to and in contact with the machine operator. The banksman, who shall wear a high
visibility vest, shall monitor all mechanical excavations and enforce the necessary safety
requirements around the excavation.
All heavy equipment shall be kept a minimum of two (2) meters away from the edge of an excavation.
Wheel chocks shall be placed on any wheeled vehicle parked or working near to an excavation.
6.11 Edge Protection

Means shall be provided to prevent personnel and equipment from inadvertently entering
excavations.
Excavations deeper than 300mm shall have a rigid guardrail, affixed with color coded tapes, installed
one (1) meter away from the edge of the excavation around its perimeter.
Guardrails shall be firmly secured to the ground to ensure that they are rigid and able to withstand
any force that may be applied to it by employees working within the area. In addition, all guardrails
shall be affixed with high visibility tape/paint and ‘DANGER – EXCAVATION’ signs shall be placed
strategically around the excavation.
Excavations left open for longer than one-day shift will be clearly identified by flashing lights (blinkers
or beacon lights) at night.
Only excavating and backfilling equipment is permitted within two (2) meters of the edge of an
excavation. All other equipment shall be kept away from the edge of the excavation two (2) meters
or the depth of the excavation, whichever is greatest, unless the excavation is in stable rock or is

protected against collapse by a shoring system designed and approved by a registered professional
engineer or an engineer of equivalent competency.
6.12 Excavation Spoils

All excavated spoil shall be kept at least on (1) meter away from the edge of an excavation to prevent
it from falling back into the excavation and to prevent ingress of water. Where heavy rainfalls could
be expected, excavated spoils shall be covered or protected by other means to prevent them from
being washed off.
6.13 Undermining
No excavation works shall take place below the level of an adjacent foundation, retaining wall,
scaffold base/supports, structure or existing structure.
Undermined sidewalks shall be supported to safely carry all anticipated loads. If the stability of
adjoining buildings or walls is compromised by excavations, either shoring, bracing, underpinning or
some other method affording equivalent protection for employees shall be provided as necessary to
ensure their safety. All such systems shall be inspected daily or more often, as conditions warrant,
by CONTRACTOR competent excavation person. He shall also ensure that the protective measures
are effectively maintained.
6.14 Dewatering
Employees shall not work in excavations where there is accumulation of water. The necessary
controls vary with each situation, but shall include water removal (dewatering) to control the level of
accumulating water (e.g. by pumping) and may include support shields or shoring systems to protect
from cave-ins.
If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating using water removal equipment, the water
removal equipment and its operations shall be monitored by an attendant to verify proper operation.
Water shall be properly discharged at a safe location from the excavation to prevent re-entry. Refer
to CONTRACTOR Environmental Management Plan.
If excavation work interrupts the natural drainage of surface water, then diversion ditches, dikes or
other suitable means shall 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 shall be inspected and verified safe by an excavation competent person before
works may resume.
6.15 Emergency Response

An emergency rescue plan shall be in place for the excavation work. Employees entering bell-bottom
pier holes or other similar deep and confined excavations shall wear a full-body harness with a lifeline
attached to it. The lifeline shall be separate from any line used to handle materials and shall be
individually attended at all times while the employee wearing the lifeline is in the excavation.
Mechanical devices shall be available on site to lift incapacitated workers from the excavation. Refer
to CONTRACTOR Emergency Response Plan.
6.16 Vibrations or Superimposed Loads

Special safety provisions consisting of additional bracing or other effective means shall be taken at
excavations adjacent to streets or other sources of external vibrations or superimposed loads. Similar
provisions shall be taken in areas that have been previously filled.

7 TRAINING
All employees who will be engaged in excavation works shall be instructed by a competent person
from CONTRACTOR on the safe methods of excavation and working within an excavation asper the
contents of this procedure.
8 RECORDS
All documentation relevant to this procedure shall be kept in the CONTRACTOR SHE Department
for reference throughout the duration of the project. Such documents may include, but are not limited
to the following:
• Underground facility drawings.
• Excavation design approvals.
• SWMS/JSA for excavation works.
• Excavation PTW and confined space PTW for excavation.
• Initial and daily excavation inspection records.
• Excavation training records.
• Manufacturer data sheet for excavation boxes & trench shields.
9 LIFE-SAVING RULES
The Life Saving Rules (LSR), of which there are nine (9), are associated with high risk work activities
at site and are designed to help save life if followed. LSR are zero tolerance rules and the violation
of these rules will result in serious consequences, including removal from the project. All LSR relevant
to this procedure shall be strictly adhered to on the Project. The below describes the LSR and the
components of which they consist:
1. Bypassing safety controls:
• Obtain authorization before overriding or disabling safety controls, deviating from procedures,
or crossing any established barrier;
• Understand and use safety critical equipment and procedures which apply to the task.
2. Confined space:
• Obtain authorization before entering a confined space;
• Confirm that energy sources are isolated;
• Confirm that the atmosphere has been tested and will be monitored;
• Check and use breathing apparatus as required.;
• Confirm entry attendant is in place and standing by;
• Confirm rescue plan is in place.
3. Follow safe driving rules:
• Always wear a seat belt;
• Do not exceed the speed limit and reduce speed for uneven road conditions;
• Do not use or operate mobile phones or devices while driving;

• Be fit, rested, and fully alert while driving;

• Follow journey management requirements.

4. Energy isolation:
• Identify energy sources;
• Confirm hazardous energy sources are isolated, locked, and tagged;
• Verify isolation and zero energy before work begins, checking that there is zero residual or
stored energy.
5. Hot work:
• Obtain authorization;
• Identification and control of flammables and ignition sources;
• Before starting work, confirm flammable material has been removed or isolated;
• A gas test has been completed and gas monitoring will be continuous if in a hazardous area.
6. Line of fire:
• Keep yourself and others out of the line of fire;
• Position yourself to avoid moving objects, vehicles, pressure releases, and dropped objects;
• Obey established barriers and exclusion zones;
• Secure loose objects and report potential dropped objects.
7. Safe mechanical lifting:
• Plan lifting operations and control the area;
• Confirm equipment and load is inspected and fit for purpose;
• Only operate equipment that you are qualified to use;
• Obey established barriers and exclusion zones;
• Do not cross under suspended loads.
8. Work authorization:
• Work with a valid permit when required;
• Be authorized to perform the work;
• Understand the permit;
• Confirm that hazards are controlled and that it is safe to start the work;
• Stop and reassess the situation if conditions change.
9. Work at height:
• Protect yourself against falls when working at height;
• Inspect fall protection equipment before use;
• Secure tools and work materials to prevent dropped objects;
• 100% tie-off to approved anchor points while outside protected areas required.
Although the nine (9) LSR are defined, the associated description herewith is not necessarily
comprehensive or limited only to these points. The final decision related to whether contravention of
these rules has occurred or not lies with Project Site and SHE Management.

10 ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Sloping, Benching and Shoring Guide
Attachment 2 – Initial/Daily Inspection Checklist

Attachment 1 - Sloping, Benching and Shoring Guide

Summary of Soil Types
Soil Type Description of Soil Type
Stable Rock Natural solid mineral matter that can be excavated with vertical sides such as
sandstone.
Type A Previously undisturbed cohesive or cemented soil, such as clay or marl.
Type B Less cohesive soil, such as mix of sand, rocks and clay
Type C Less cohesive soil. Examples are gravel, sand, muddy of freely seeping soils,
submerged rock that is not stable, or a layered system. Previously disturbed soil is
Type C soil.
Maximum Allowable Slopes
Soil Type Maximum allowable slopes (H:V) for excavations less than 6m deep
Stable Rock Vertical (900)
Type A 3/4 : 1 (530)
Type B 1:1 (450)
Type C 1-1/2 : 1 (340)
Note: Numbers shown in parentheses next to maximum allowable slopes are angles expressed in degrees
from the horizontal. Angles have been rounded off.
Sloped Excavations Made in Type A Soil
Benched Excavations Made in Type A Soil – Simple Bench

Benched Excavations Made in Type A Soil – Multiple Bench
Supported or Shielded Excavations Made in Type A Soil
Sloped Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Benched Excavations Made in Type B Soil – Simple Bench
Benched Excavations Made in Type B Soil – Multiple Bench
Supported or Shielded Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Sloped Excavations Made in Type C Soil
Supported or Shielded Excavations Made in Type C Soil

Attachment 2 - Initial/Daily Inspection Checklist
Initial / Daily Excavation Inspection Checklist

Time of
Date of Inspection
Inspection
Excavation Location
Dimension of Excavation (Length) (Width) (Depth)

(in Meters)
Excavation Inspected By (Competent Person)
Inspection Items Yes No NA

Is the excavation barricaded as per the procedure?
Are hazard warning signs posted around the excavation? (all sides)
Is proper access and egress provided every 7.5m of lateral travel for the excavation?
Do access ladders at least extend 1m beyond the edge of excavation?
Are pedestrian crossings required and provided with guardrails?
Are hard barricades for vehicles placed at least 2m from the excavation edge?
Is sloping, benching or shoring provided where required?
Are shoring materials in sound condition and free from any damage or defects?
Is there evidence of soil erosion which may render the excavation unsafe?
Is the excavation free from tension cracks or other evidence of side wall failure?
Is the excavation free of water?
For permit required deep excavations of 1.2 meters or more, is a PTW available with
all necessary documents attached.
Are materials (excavation spoils or equipment) placed at least 1m away from the edge
of the excavation?
Are flashing orange lights provided for excavation close to vehicular access ways and
are they in an operable condition?
Excavations are safe if all the above questions can be answered “Yes” or “N/A.” “No” answers require
rectification of the deficiency prior to allowing people to enter the excavation.
Competent Person Excavation Signature:

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