SHP43-Excavation and Trenching

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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 projectsuperintendent to identify underground utilities using a combination of blue prints andunderground testing equipment. This individual shall coordinate excavation activities

with the client (as applicable) and outside utility companies. Several individuals (such asthe piping superintendent, electrical superintendent, equipment superintendent, and fieldengineer) may serve as authorized persons as necessary.

  Excavation Competent Person  – a person capable for identifying existing andpredictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary,hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take promptcorrective measures to eliminate them. The competent person shall be designated inwriting by the project, and their qualifications shall be documented.

REQUIREMENTS

A designated competent person shall be onsite at all times during which excavationactivities are conducted.

1. Before any excavation can be made, an Excavation Permit (Form 17-01) must becompleted by the foreman with input from the authorized person for undergroundtesting (utility identification) and the excavation competent person. Appropriateclient approval is also necessary where required by client regulations.

2. Soil classification shall be made by the competent person or a registeredprofessional engineer trained in soil classification. Unclassified soil shall beassumed to be Class C and will be sloped 1:1 or shored when the excavationexceeds 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 beevaluated by the competent person to determine if the shoring, sloping, orbenching needs to begin at a depth less than 5 feet.

4. All shoring for excavations over 20 feet must be designed by a registeredprofessional 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: 1/1/99Revision Date: 7/2002Page 1 of 3

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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, orother 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 excavationcompetent person has evaluated the excavation and the effect the rain is having.The excavation competent person will need to maintain a regular inspectionschedule 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 soiltype, the competent person may need to maintain continuous observation of theexcavation condition.

9. For all excavations 4 feet in depth or greater, the potential for a hazardousatmosphere must be evaluated. If potential atmospheric hazards exist, then theatmosphere in the excavation must be tested. This test will be performed by theEH&S professional or his or her designee. Indications of the potential for ahazardous atmosphere include, but are not limited to: gas lines, sewer lines,proximity to emissions sources for H2S, SO2, CO, and other gases that areheavier than air.

10. Excavations shall be evaluated for hazards in addition to cave-in potential.Electrical sources, energized (pressurized) pipes, underground tanks, etc. maypresent a hazard to employees who are required to enter the excavation.

11. The competent person responsible for the crew working in the excavation mustinspect the excavation throughout the work period and stop operations whenunsafe 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 excavationand 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: 1/1/99Revision Date: 7/2002Page 2 of 3

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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 torecognize potential hazards associated with excavations: cave-in potential, fallhazards, safe entry and exit, proximity to excavating equipment, air quality, back-filling and compacting activities, protective systems, etc.

Excavation Competent Person

Each individual assigned as an excavation competent person shall havedocumented training or shall have documentation of experience andqualifications in excavation activities.

RECORDKEEPING

A copy of the Excavation Permit (Form 37-01) and Daily Inspection Forms (37-02) shallbe maintained at the site.

Records of training of employees are maintained in the Project Office and the CorporateSafety Director’s Office.

H+M Company, Inc. Procedure Manual

Excavation and Trenching Procedure No.: SHP 43

Original Date: 1/1/99Revision Date: 7/2002Page 3 of 3