Idea Transcript
Revised date: 2012-09-27 Issued date: 2004-11-05
Trenching and Shoring Practice
Version: 2.0 Creator: EHS Document Mgmt Custodian: EHS Document Mgmt
Table of Contents page 1.0 Purpose ........................................................................................................2 3.0 Pre-Job Hazard Assessment, Permits, and Safety Meeting ............................2 4.0 Minimum Trenching and Shoring Requirements ............................................3 5.0 Inspections and Changes to Working Conditions or Scope ............................4 6.0 Soil Type and Slope Angle .............................................................................4 7.0 Slope Failures ...............................................................................................6 8.0 Spoil Pile.......................................................................................................6 9.0 Trench Entry and Exit Points .........................................................................7 10.0 Benching.......................................................................................................7 11.0 Shoring Selection ..........................................................................................8 12.0 Pipe Contact and Unaccounted Buried Facilities ............................................9 13.0 Environmental Issues ...................................................................................9 14.0 Confined Space .............................................................................................9 15.0 Heavy Equipment and Machinery Operations ................................................9 16.0 Weather and Moisture Conditions ...............................................................10 17.0 Loose Material ............................................................................................10 18.0 Excavated Soil.............................................................................................10 19.0 Trench Crossings (Walkways and Travel Ways) ..........................................10 20.0 Barricades, Pedestrians, and Vehicular Traffic ............................................11 21.0 Backfilling Guidelines..................................................................................11 22.0 Training, Competency Requirements, and Responsibilities .........................11 23.0 Roles and Responsibilities ..........................................................................12 24.0 Governing and Reference Documents .........................................................12 25.0 Management of Change...............................................................................13 26.0 Definitions and Acronyms ...........................................................................13 Appendix A – Alberta and Saskatchewan Soil Types .............................................15
CEN-EHS129 • Trenching and Shoring Practice • Ver. 2.0 • Sept 2012
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1.0
Purpose The purpose of the Trenching and Shoring Practice is to provide the operational framework for Business Units to safely conduct trenching and shoring operations at Cenovus worksites and facilities. CEN-EHS184 Ground Disturbance Practice must be followed when undertaking any trenching and shoring operation.
2.0
Scope This practice applies to all Cenovus worksites and encompasses all trenching and shoring activities within their scope. This practice sets the minimum requirements for any trench that is more than 1.2 metres deep in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Note: Ground/soil conditions may warrant following this practice for a trench that is less than 1.2 metres deep such as when support for an adjoining structure (i.e., pole or concrete slab) or the slope of right of ways (at bore hole entry/exit points) may be undermined.
3.0
Safe Work Permit, Hazard Assessment, and Safety Meetings A pre-job hazard assessment and safe work permit must be completed for the primary work task; for example, pipeline/facility construction, tie-ins or hot taps that require a ground disturbance and trenching and shoring operations to complete the job. The Safe Work Permit Issuer will: 1. Ensure the Ground Disturbance Practice pre-job planning and hazard assessment process is followed for all trenching and shoring operations. 2. Ensure all workers involved in the trench and shoring operation:
Participate in the ground disturbance hazard assessment and attend the pre-job safety meeting.
Know and understand their job responsibilities and duties.
3. Ensure the trenching and shoring is inspected, refer to Section 5 - Inspections and Changes to Working Conditions or Scope for frequency and details of the inspection.
3.1
Trenching Hazards a) Health hazards: i.e., oxygen deficiency, toxic and flammable atmospheres. b) Contact with underground utilities: i.e., steam, electricity, water, sewer, telephone lines, and natural gas and product pipelines. c) Changing weather conditions: which could affect soil stability. d) Cave-ins: caused by: •
Improper installation and maintenance of shoring,
•
Improper banking of walls and loading near trench walls,
•
Flooding from broken lines, or high water table, or seepage, and
•
Vibration from equipment working near or alongside the trench.
e) Unprotected holes: adequate guards to prevent workers from falling into trenches. f) Physical hazards: associated with trips, slips, falls, contact with machinery, etc.
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4.0
Minimum Trenching and Shoring Requirements a) A competent Cenovus supervisor is designated by the business unit to supervise the trenching and shoring operations. The ground disturbance supervisor may assume the role of the trenching supervisor providing they are competent to do so. b) The trenching supervisor will:
Ensure a pre-job hazard assessment and safety meeting is conducted
Issue the necessary permits and checklists
Identify the provincial codes/regulations, and other Cenovus practices required for the trenching and shoring operations as part of the ground disturbance
Review the service providers operational practice manual to ensure that it contains all of the applicable trenching/shoring work procedures and risk controls
If required, conduct a risk assessment to determine if a security presence is required for trenches that are left open with live pipelines or conduit(s)
Ensure a Cenovus environmental advisor is included in the work preparation and additional assessments where necessary
Identify the provincial soil type and the correct shoring, bracing, or sheeting and trench wall cutback/slope angle requirements as per Alberta or Saskatchewan Codes and Regulations. Note: This information may be provided earlier in a geotechnical report or study.
Ensure adequate lighting, ventilation, and de-watering equipment is provided.
Address the need for fall protection and lifelines.
c) A professional engineer will approve the protective equipment (i.e., shields, box, cage, bracing, or sheeting) used as per provincial regulations. d) As required, workers must wear and use their personal gas monitors. e) Ensure barricades and fencing are installed. Trenching and excavating equipment attracts the public, particularly children; therefore, suitable fencing and precautions must be taken to ensure public safety. f) The emergency response and rescue procedures will be planned and discussed during the safety meeting and the following must be completed or readily available:
Company and emergency response contact telephone numbers.
Site response process, control room, and service facilities contacted and ready.
Alarm system is available and tested.
g) In Saskatchewan:
OH&S must be notified prior to work including digs deeper than five metres that workers will enter.
A Safety Watch person is required for trenches more than 1.2 metres deep.
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5.0
Inspections and Changes to Working Conditions or Scope The designated trenching supervisor is responsible for: a) Inspecting the shoring, bracing, and sheeting:
At the start of each shift and monitoring the conditions throughout the day particularly when poor ground conditions or mixed soil types exist.
After rainstorms and when water is seeping or migrating into the trench.
When conditions change that could cause a new hazard to personnel.
Exception: These inspections are only required when the trench will be, or is occupied by personnel. Important: Any changes in working conditions or work scope will result in the immediate suspension of the safe work permit. Upon suspension, all work associated with that permit must stop. A hazard assessment is required to evaluate the changes for new hazards and the appropriate hazard controls must be implemented. Depending on the work change, a new safe work permit and ground disturbance checklist may be required. Inspections shall include the following: a) Check shoring/sheeting/bracing components every day. Look for signs of movement, crushing or bending in brace areas. Make sure all components of the shoring systems are in good condition. Check hydraulic and air shoring braces for hose and cylinder leaks. Watch for bent bases and other damaged or defective parts. b) Check the surface of the trench walls for tension cracks, particularly ones running parallel to the trench; these often occur before a cave-in. c) Check for material (i.e., spoil pile/equipment) which may slide into the trench. d) Look for wet spots and other signs of water damage to the trench walls/floor. e) Inspect trench cages, boxes, and shields for cracks in the welds, structural damage (i.e., lifting lugs), and other defects.
6.0
Soil Type and Slope Angle Distinguishing the type of soil, where the work is going to be done determines the precautions, slope angle, shoring, or bracing to be used for the soil types listed in Appendix A and shown on the following pages. Detailed descriptions of the soil types, their characteristics, trenching and shoring precautions and procedures are found in the Alberta and Saskatchewan OH&S Codes and Regulations. Note: Where an excavation or trench contains more than one type of soil, the shoring selected must be appropriate for the least stable soil (i.e., soft, sandy or loose).
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6.1
Alberta “Hard/Compact” and Sask. “Type 1 and 2” Soil
Slope Angle Measured From Vertical Alberta 300 min Saskatchewan 450
6.2
Alberta “Likely to Crack or Crumble” and Sask. “Type 3” Soil
Slope Angle Measured From Vertical Alberta 450
Slope Angle Measured From Vertical Saskatchewan 450
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6.3
Alberta “Soft, Sandy or Loose” and Sask. “Type 4” Soil
Slope Angle Measured From Vertical Alberta 450 Saskatchewan 710
7.0
Slope Failures The trench wall and bank angle are very important in keeping strength so that the wall does not cave in, possibly endangering workers and facilities. The four types of failures in a vertical excavation are: 1. Sliding: The downward and outward movement of a defined mass. 2. Sloughing: The release of material from the surface, usually due to drying and cracking, or freezing and thawing. 3. Slumping: The bulging of the lower excavation face surface; indicates an overstressed condition. 4. Squeezing: The uplifting of the base or bottom; may cause other types of failure.
8.0
Spoil Pile An assessment will be done on: a) The soil type and amount of soil to be removed in order to determine the required space needed to store the topsoil and subsoil. b) The spoil pile to ensure it remains at least 1 metre from the edge of the trench. c) The slope of the pile adjacent to the excavation to ensure the angle does not exceed 45° from the vertical.
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9.0
Trench Entry and Exit Points In trenches 1.2 metres or deeper, adequate means of entry and exit must be provided; a ladder, a ramp, or steps are to be no more than 8 metres from the worker. In the case of a ladder, the stringers are to extend 1 metre above the ground level to facilitate trench entry and exit. The trench must be supported/shored or sloped so workers can safety reach the exit point. In the case of a ramp or steps, they should be cut squarely and kept clear and secure to prevent dislodgement. The open side(s) of an access route into an excavation or bridge way, used by mobile equipment, must have a curb.
10.0
Benching The benching design used in trenching and excavation activities facilitates the dispersion of weight stresses caused by soil conditions and equipment activity along the banks. Benching also enables easy trench entry or exit along the entire work area.
At a minimum, all heavy equipment and loads will be placed no closer than the distance equal to the depth of the trench measured from the near edge of the trench bottom. Surface cracks and soil stability must also be considered during the hazard assessment for placing heavy equipment or loads near the trench, regardless of this minimum separation distance.
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11.0
Shoring Selection The pre-job hazard assessment, the location of the trench, and its soil type will determine the type of shoring that must be used for the trenching operation.
11.1
Trench Box/Sliding Trench Shield A trench box or sliding trench shield, as shown in the below diagram, is used where portability and short-term protection to workers and processes are required. It is prefabricated in pieces of metal or timbers that meet design specifications for on-site assembly. Being equipped with lifting lugs for pulling or raising by a crane or backhoe, allows for easier use along the trench work points. The maximum shield width is governed by the trench width but must be wide enough to allow materials and equipment to be moved about easily and not impede the work of employees. The use of a shield removes the sloping requirement, which reduces the trench opening width at the surface to minimize work area restriction. Note: Temporary protective structures must be designed and certified as safe by a professional engineer and installed, used, maintained, and dismantled in accordance with that design.
11.2
Sheeting Sheeting is used where it is not possible or practical to slope the walls, such as trenching along side a building, road, or facility. To provide worker and process protection, sheeting should protrude 30 cm above ground level.
11.3
Bracing Sheeting and shoring both require adequate bracing to ensure that the walls do not cave into the work area. All bracing is required to be constructed and installed in accordance with engineering designs and specifications.
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12.0
Underground Facilities Contact and Unaccounted Buried Facilities All underground facility contacts or the exposure of unaccounted buried facilities must be immediately reported to the responsible supervisor who will comply with the notification requirements found in the Ground Disturbance Code of Practice. Work will be immediately suspended; refer also to Changes to Working Conditions.
13.0
Environmental Issues Prior to the work, a Cenovus Environment Advisor will be contacted to ensure that endangered plant growth is not disturbed or buried, and soil types are not mixed. A review should also be done if digging mixed soils or if there is soil contamination from equipment maintenance work. Refer to CEN-EHS-ENV391 Vegetation Management Procedure for more details.
14.0
Confined Space A trench is considered a confined space (hazardous confined space in Saskatchewan) and workers are required to have the appropriate confined space entry training prior to entry. Like any confined space, the trench could contain hazards such as hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, and carbon monoxide. Prior to any trench entry, qualified personnel must conduct atmospheric tests to determine the need for ventilation. When necessary, ducts should be attached to an exhaust to redirect gases away from the trench. In Alberta, a trench can be considered a restricted space (confined space in Saskatchewan) if all other hazards are either non-existent or have been eliminated as per CEN-EHS019 Hazard Assessment and Control Practice. Restricted spaces or are therefore not subject to the permitting, atmospheric testing, and tending worker requirements of a confined space. Workers must continue to monitor the job scope and identify changes that could result in the restricted space becoming a confined space. Refer to CEN-EHS034 Confined Space Code of Practice for more details.
15.0
Heavy Equipment and Machinery Operations When heavy equipment operates near a trench edge and within a distance equal to the depth of the trench, additional protection is necessary to compensate for the vibration and weight of the machinery. The following points should be considered: a) Keeping the equipment and machinery level on solid footing to prevent sliding or tipping into the trench or excavation. b) Changing the slope angle or the work process, or both, to strengthen the trench wall. Cutting away or benching will provide adequate strength as shown in the benching diagram in Section 10. c) Placing rig mats along the opening for the machinery to work from. d) Having rollover protection on the unit and the operator must wear a seat belt. e) When backhoes/trackhoe are being used, workers in a trench must not be within the full reach of the equipment while it is excavating
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16.0
Weather and Moisture Conditions Rainfall, freezing, thawing, and overflowing of adjacent streams, storm drains, sewers, and melting snow produce changes in the condition of the soil. Watch for the cohesion of standing water with the soil, which may undercut the banks and add increased pressure on the sheeting and bracing. Note: The excavation must be kept free of an accumulation of water that may pose a hazard to the worker. a) Frozen ground may appear to be safe with little or no sheeting; however, sloping and shoring requirements must be followed. b) Lightning and electrically-induced charged pipe hazards can be controlled and minimized by a bonding and grounding system. These controls should also be used when laying pipe in areas where there are high-voltage transmission lines.
17.0
Loose Material Loose material from digging, scaling, or trimming from the sides of the excavation must be kept 1 metre from the trench edge. This minimizes the risk to workers or damage to the equipment from falling or rolling soil.
18.0
Excavated Soil Excavated soil shall be placed at least 1 metre away from the edge of the excavation and shall be stockpiled within the right-of-way (ROW) area.
18.1
Topsoil The stripped topsoil shall be stored for re-use, away from the side of the excavation and separate from the excavated subsoil. The height of stored topsoil should be limited to 2 metres in order to reduce erosion problems and prevent the development of anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions within the stockpile.
18.2
Subsoil The excavated subsoil shall be stored for re-use in the spoil pile that must be at least 1 metre away from the edge of the trench and separate from the topsoil.
18.3
Contaminated Soil Excavated contaminated soil shall be segregated from uncontaminated soil. Note: All excavations in contaminated ground conditions (i.e., ruptured pipeline) will be conducted according to an approved work plan.
19.0
Trench Crossings (Walkways and Travel Ways) As trenches can be several hundred metres long and workers are required to cross them to do their work, a means of getting across must be provided if the sides are not adequately sloped to accommodate foot traffic. A walkway must be a minimum 60 cm wide and, if the excavation is deeper than 1.2 metres, the walkway must have guardrails and toe boards on both sides as per Alberta and Saskatchewan Regulations. The use of a man basket and picker truck to move equipment and personnel across the trench is also permissible. In Saskatchewan, the travel way must be 90 cm wide.
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20.0
Barricades, Pedestrians, and Vehicular Traffic Reasonable and adequate warning of earth openings must be assessed and appropriate controls for the hazard implemented: a) May include barricades, fences, guardrails, warning signs, flashing lights, flags, and a watchman, or by some other appropriate and effective means. Note: All open sides must be protected by guardrails or barriers to prevent uncontrolled or accidental entry by the public, livestock, or wildlife. b) From sunset to sunrise, adequate lighting of barricades and fences may be needed depending on local regulations and risks to the public.
21.0
Backfilling Guidelines a) All backfilling notifications shall comply with the Ground Disturbance Code of Practice or according to the requirements of the BU procedures b) No garbage, construction waste, contaminated soil, vegetation, timber bush, etc. are to be backfilled into the trench. c) All standing water shall be removed from the trench before backfilling commences and not discharged into a watercourse. d) In rocky or poor ground conditions, an approved substitute material shall adequately cover the pipe to prevent pipe coating damage. Note: Displaced or unused backfill material shall be spread or removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with the contract’s requirements. e) Backfill compaction, if allowed, will be according to the contract’s specifications. f) The removal of any fine materials from riverbanks/riverbeds for backfill is strictly prohibited. g) The original subsoil and topsoil is replaced to the original ground cover or to the same depth as that on the ROW width, maintaining any previous site drainage or topography. h) Allowance should be made for sufficient overfilling or mounding of the filled trench to compensate for subsequent settlement.
22.0
Training, Competency Requirements, and Responsibilities 1. Cenovus Ground Disturbance Awareness The Cenovus Ground Disturbance Awareness course is an interactive e-learning module that is available within the Learning Management System. The course is intended to deliver the basic awareness on ground disturbance and while providing the participant with the knowledge to accurately identify common worksite activities that may be considered as ground disturbance. Note: This training is not acceptable for workers who are involved in any ground disturbance activities. All staff involved in ground disturbance activities must hold a valid training certification from one of the training courses outlined below. 2. Ground Disturbance Hazard Awareness (also known as 101 or Level 1) This course is required for anyone who is involved in any type of ground disturbance activity, excluding supervision. Participants with this level of training must always be working under the direct supervision and guidance of a supervisor who has a valid supervisory certification. The course is required to be compliant with the course
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specifications outlined within the Alberta Common Ground Alliance (ABCGA) Standard 101. 3. Ground Disturbance Supervisory (also known as 201 or Level 2) This course is required for planners, managers, and supervisors who are involved in the planning, managing, and supervision of any kind of ground disturbance activity. The course is required to be compliant with course specifications outlined within the ABCGA 201. Note: All Cenovus and contract staff who are involved in any ground disturbance activities are required to possess a valid training certificate from a course provider that is endorsed by ABCGA. An ABCGA endorsement signifies that the course meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in the applicable ADPC standards. All other ground training certificates for ground disturbance are not recognized on a Cenovus worksite.
23.0
Roles and Responsibilities Roles and responsibilities for safety documents are described in the link below: Cenovus CEN-EHS234, Roles and Responsibilities Standard
24.0
Governing and Reference Documents
24.1
Internal Governance Document Type
24.2
Governance Documents
Policy
Corporate Responsibility Policy
Policy
Enterprise Risk Management Policy
Framework
Cenovus Operations Management System (COMS)
Regulatory
Alberta OH&S Code – Part 2 and 32
Regulatory
Saskatchewan OHS Regulation - Sections 12 and 259
Internal References Document Ref. #
Internal Reference Documents
CEN019
Ground Disturbance Checklist (form)
CEN214
Backfill Inspection Report (form)
CEN750
Buried Facility Locate (form)
CEN-EHS184
Ground Disturbance Practice
CEN-EHS019
Hazard Assessment and Control Practice
CEN-EHS022
EH&S/Operation Risk Management Practice
CEN-EHS103
Energy Isolation Practice
CEN-EHS034
Confined Space Code of Practice
CEN-EHS033
Concurrent Operations Permit User Guide
CEN-EHS114
Safe Work Permit Standard
CEN-EHS-ENV391
Vegetation Management Procedure
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24.3
External References Document Origin
25.0
External Reference Documents
Enform
IRP 17, Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention (2009)
CAPP
Planning Horizontal Directional Drilling for Pipelines (2004)
Saskatchewan OHS
Safety in Excavations and Trenches (1998)
Management of Change Proposed changes to this practice can be directed to EH&S Document Management
26.0
Definitions and Acronyms Definitions and acronyms for safety documents are described in the link below: Cenovus CEN-EHS243, Definitions and Acronyms ABCGA means Alberta Common Ground Alliance Buried Facility means anything below ground (underground) used in the collection, storage, transmission or distribution of: water, storm water, sewage, electronic, telephonic or telegraphic communications, cable television, electrical energy, oil, natural gas, steam, petroleum products, chemicals, and other substances and includes but is not limited to: pipes, conduits, ducts, wire, valves, manholes, catch basins, and attachments to these items. Confined Space (Alberta OH&S Term) or Hazardous Confined Space (Saskatchewan OH&S Term) means a enclosed or partially enclosed space that is or may become hazardous to the worker entering the space because of atmospheric hazards, a condition or changing circumstances within the space, or the potential or inherent characteristics of an activity which can produce adverse or harmful consequences within the space. Competent means a person who is adequately qualified, suitably trained, and sufficiently experienced to complete a defined procedure or task. Ground Disturbance is any work, operation, or activity that results in a disturbance of the earth; this includes, without limitation: surveying, excavating, digging, trenching, plowing, rig anchor installation, drilling, tunnelling, auguring, backfilling, blasting, topsoil stripping, land levelling, peat removing, quarrying, clearing, grading, pounding a ground rod, fencing, and hydrovacing for the purpose of excavation. Refer to section 2.0 of the Ground Disturbance Practice for more information on what constitutes ground disturbance. Ground Disturbance Checklist means a Cenovus document utilized to help ensure correct ground disturbance procedures will be followed and provide written approval to conduct the ground disturbance. The Cenovus Ground Disturbance Checklist leads the user through a risk assessment of the planned disturbance, instigates required risk controls, and serves as a communication tool for all personnel involved in the ground disturbance activity. Ground Disturbance Supervisor means any Cenovus employee, contractor, or consultant authorized by Cenovus and deemed competent by training, experience, and certification and who ensures ground disturbance activities are completed in strict conformance with all Cenovus and regulatory requirements.
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Restricted Space (Alberta OH&S Term) or Confined Space (Saskatchewan OH&S Term) means an enclosed or partially enclosed space, not intended for continuous human occupancy that has a restricted, limited, or impeded means of entry or exit because of its construction Trench means a long narrow dug out area of ground that is deeper than its width at the bottom. Worksite means the general location where a ground disturbance activity is to occur. A worksite may be a facility, lease/well site, pipeline right-of-way (ROW) or a portion there of.
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Appendix A – Alberta and Saskatchewan Soil Types 1. Alberta Soil Types – As per Alberta OH&S Explanation Guide 2009
2. Saskatchewan Soil Types
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