H+M Company, Inc.
Procedure Manual
Excavation and Trenching
Procedure No.: SHP 43 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 1 of 3
PURPOSE This procedure provides requirements for work in and around excavations. SCOPE This procedure applies to all H+M Company, Inc. activities. DEFINITIONS Authorized person for underground testing – the person(s) designated by the project superintendent to identify underground utilities using a combination of blue prints and underground testing equipment. This individual shall coordinate excavation activities with the client (as applicable) and outside utility companies. Several individuals (such as the piping superintendent, electrical superintendent, equipment superintendent, and field engineer) may serve as authorized persons as necessary. Excavation Competent Person – a person capable for identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. The competent person shall be designated in writing by the project, and their qualifications shall be documented. REQUIREMENTS A designated competent person shall be onsite at all times during which excavation activities are conducted. 1. Before any excavation can be made, an Excavation Permit (Form 17-01) must be completed by the foreman with input from the authorized person for underground testing (utility identification) and the excavation competent person. Appropriate client approval is also necessary where required by client regulations. 2. Soil classification shall be made by the competent person or a registered professional engineer trained in soil classification. Unclassified soil shall be assumed to be Class C and will be sloped 1:1 or shored when the excavation exceeds 4 feet in depth. 3. All excavations over 5 feet deep shall be shored, sloped, or benched as required. Excavations and the work scheduled to be performed in the excavation shall be evaluated by the competent person to determine if the shoring, sloping, or benching needs to begin at a depth less than 5 feet. 4. All shoring for excavations over 20 feet must be designed by a registered professional engineer, and all shoring installed must be approved and signed off by a registered professional engineer.
H+M Company, Inc.
Procedure Manual
Excavation and Trenching
Procedure No.: SHP 43 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 2 of 3
5. All spoils must be placed a minimum of 3 feet from the edge of the excavation. Loose soil or rocks shall be removed from the sides of excavation walls. 6. Excavations 4 feet in depth or greater, must have a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress within 25 feet of any employee. 7. All excavations shall be inspected by a competent person before entry: • • • •
At the start of each shift After rain or snowfall After freezing and/or thawing temperatures occur After any condition that can change the integrity of the soil
8. During rainy weather, work in excavations shall cease until the excavation competent person has evaluated the excavation and the effect the rain is having. The excavation competent person will need to maintain a regular inspection schedule during the rain if employees will continue to work in the excavation. Depending on the amount of rain falling, the duration of the rainfall and the soil type, the competent person may need to maintain continuous observation of the excavation condition. 9. For all excavations 4 feet in depth or greater, the potential for a hazardous atmosphere must be evaluated. If potential atmospheric hazards exist, then the atmosphere in the excavation must be tested. This test will be performed by the EH&S professional or his or her designee. Indications of the potential for a hazardous atmosphere include, but are not limited to: gas lines, sewer lines, proximity to emissions sources for H2S, SO2, CO, and other gases that are heavier than air. 10. Excavations shall be evaluated for hazards in addition to cave-in potential. Electrical sources, energized (pressurized) pipes, underground tanks, etc. may present a hazard to employees who are required to enter the excavation. 11. The competent person responsible for the crew working in the excavation must inspect the excavation throughout the work period and stop operations when unsafe conditions exist. 12. The number of workers in the excavation shall be limited to the number needed to perform the work. 13. Water shall not be allowed to accumulate in excavations at any time. Pumps, drains, or other means shall be used to remove water constantly. 14. Stability of adjacent structures shall be evaluated before starting an excavation and monitored daily thereafter. 15. Emergency rescue equipment shall be readily available.
H+M Company, Inc.
Procedure Manual
Excavation and Trenching
Procedure No.: SHP 43 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 3 of 3
16. Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins. TRAINING Employee Training Each employee who works in or around an excavation shall be trained to recognize potential hazards associated with excavations: cave-in potential, fall hazards, safe entry and exit, proximity to excavating equipment, air quality, backfilling and compacting activities, protective systems, etc. Excavation Competent Person Each individual assigned as an excavation competent person shall have documented training or shall have documentation of experience and qualifications in excavation activities.
RECORDKEEPING A copy of the Excavation Permit (Form 37-01) and Daily Inspection Forms (37-02) shall be maintained at the site. Records of training of employees are maintained in the Project Office and the Corporate Safety Director’s Office.