JOINT OPERATIONS

Trenching & Excavation

Definitions
Excavation : Trench : A man made cut, cavity, or depression formed by earth removal. A narrow excavation, the depth is greater than the width.

Remember: Do it safely or not at all

Deepwater

Gulf of Mexico

MidContinent

What are the Trenching & Excavation Hazards ?

Hazards of Trenching & Excavation
Cave ins & Collapse of sides

Remedial Action
Benching, sloping, shoring as per standard ( Refer JOSOP 401 for details) Clearance from concerned divisions. Hand digging in case of doubt and close to utilities Use of cable detector Fence or barricade excavated pits and trenches. Use warning signs Carry out gas test before entry. Use personal H2S monitor inside the trench. If required, go for continuous gas test. For pit more 1.2 M depth , go for the gas test as per confined space entry . Soil condition survey. Excavation to be done under competent persons supervision. Proper protection to prevent cave in and collapse of sides.

Do You Know ?
All excavations deeper than 30 cms require excavation certificate in addition to general permit to work. All excavations deeper than 1.2 meter require a confined space entry certificate. Excavation deeper than 1.5 meters needs cave-in protection like sloping, benching or shoring.
Obtain the work permit and associated certificates Provide protection against cave in or collapse of sides ( Benching/ Sloping/ Shoring / Shielding ) Identify the all probable hazards and take corrective action Provide means of access / exit ( ladder/ ramps/ stairs etc.)

Damaging the underground utilities and cables

Falling of persons, loads and mobile equipment into the excavations/ trenches Unfavorable atmospheric condition -Oxygen deficiency ( <19.5 %) - Flammable Atmosphere ( > 0 % of LEL) - Toxic Atmosphere ( Presence of H2S and other gases) ( H2S > 5 ppm) Potential for engulfment

-0.3 M -1.2 M

Excavation Certificate Required Confined Space Entry Certificate Sloping, Benching, or Shoring Required

Provide proper walkway to cross the excavated pit

Provide adequate warnings & barricades

-1.5 M

KEY STEPS FOR EXCAVATION/ TRENCHING SAFE WORK PRACTICES

Step -1 Excavation Authorization.
-Obtain the excavation authorization, if it is deeper than 30 cms. - Take the clearance all concerned divisions like Operations, EMD, Telecommunication, PGP & DAD. -Mention the precautions to be taken during the job.

Step -5Gas Testing

-Gas test for excavation deeper than 1.2 meters before an employee enters the excavation. Test for Oxygen deficiency ( >19.5 %), LEL ( 0%), Other toxic gases ( H2S <5 ppm, Co< 25 ppm).

Step -7- Protection against cave in & Collapse of sides (Shoring )

If there is not adequate room for sloping or benching, proper shoring must be provided. Trench shield, hydraulic trench, supporting excavation wall are different forms of shoring.

Step -2 Evaluation of hazard ( JSA)

Prepare a JSA considering all risks . Review the JSA in the field with the people involved.

Step -6- Protection against cave in & Collapse of sides (Benching or sloping) 1.5
Adequate benching or slopping of sides must be provided to prevent collapsing of sides.
34 o 1.5 1 1

Step -8- Access and egress

1

A staircase, ladder or ramp must be present in excavation more than 1.2 meter deep, they should be placed in such a manner so that a person should not travel more than 25 feet (7.5 meter) to reach them.

Step -3 Permit to Work & Certificates

-Obtain General Permit to work for any excavation. -Obtain Confined space entry certificate if deeper than 1.2 Meter. -Obtain Hot work certificate if any hot work involved.

Step -9- Spoils Management

Protection against Cave in & Collapse of sides

Spoils ( excavated soil ) shall be put at least 1 meter away from the edge of the sloped excavation. Excavations with shoring require the spoils to be placed at a distance as if the excavation had been sloped .

Step -4Site Preparation

-Underground utilities to be identified and marked. Only hand excavation is permitted close to the utilities. -Use cable detector to conduct the survey for underground cables. -Maps and diagram are to be on the job when job is in progress. -Evaluate soil condition and determine protective system accordingly.

Step -10- Protection from falls, falling loads or mobile equipment

Fence or barricade excavated pits and trenches. Use warning signs.

Benching

Shoring( Trench shield)

For detail information, please refer to JOSOP-401