Bell hole requirements: excavating around a live pipeline
Reviewed by Julie Gunn, Head of Services, SALUS Safety
The question, as asked: Bell hole requires
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Rosie's answer
Published by SALUSWhen dealing with bell holes, which are essentially belled areas of excavated shafts, there are specific safety requirements that must be adhered to in order to protect workers. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020), an employer or contractor must ensure that a worker is not required or permitted to enter the belled area of an excavated shaft unless the worker is protected by a temporary protective structure designed by a professional engineer. This structure must be constructed, installed, used, maintained, and dismantled in accordance with the engineer's design [1]. Additionally, workers should not remain in a belled area if they may be exposed to falling materials [1].
These regulations are crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of workers in potentially hazardous environments. It is important for employers to comply with these requirements and provide the necessary protective structures and training to their workers.
Sources used for this answer
[1] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 148
Open source documentSource excerpt
## S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (2) An employer or contractor shall not require or permit a worker: - (a) to enter the belled area of an excavated shaft unless the worker is protected by a temporary protective structure that is designed by a professional engineer and constructed, installed, used, maintained and dismantled in accordance with that design; or - (b) to remain in a belled area of an excavated shaft if the worker may be exposed to falling materials. - (3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that the worker precedes or accompanies each load of excavated material to the surface. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s17-9. ## PART 18 ## Confined Space Entry Definitions for Part 18-1 In this Part: 'confined space' means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that: - (a) is not primarily designed or intended for human occupancy, except for the purpose of performing work; and - (b) has restricted means of entrance and exit; 'hazardous confined space' means a confined space that is or may become hazardous to a worker entering the confined space due to: - (a) the design, construction or atmosphere of the confined space; - (b) the materials or substances in the confined space; - (c) the work activities or processes used in the confined space; or - (d) any other conditions relating to the confined space; 'isolate' means to physically interrupt or disconnect pipes, lines and sources of energy from a confined space. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s18-1. ## Identification of confined spaces, hazards, etc. 18-2 If a worker may be required or permitted to work in a confined space, an employer, in consultation with the committee, shall identify: - (a) types of confined spaces at the place of employment that a worker may be required or permitted to enter; - (b) types of hazards that are or may be present at each confined space;