Install pipe in excavation
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Published by SALUSSafe Work Procedure: Install Pipe in Excavation
Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]
1. Scope
This procedure covers the safe installation of pipes in excavations, including the identification and management of underground utilities, ensuring structural stability, and the use of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. It applies to all excavation sites where pipe installation is required.
This procedure should be used in conjunction with other relevant procedures, such as those for trenching and shoring.
2. Definitions
Excavation A man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth's surface formed by earth removal.
Trench A narrow excavation where the depth is greater than the width, but not exceeding 15 feet (4.6 meters) at the bottom.
Protective System A method of protecting workers from cave-ins, including shoring, shielding, and sloping.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 Supervisors
- Ensure all workers are trained and competent in excavation safety.
- Verify that all underground utilities are located and marked before excavation begins.
- Ensure protective systems are in place and maintained.
3.2 Workers
- Follow all safety procedures and use protective equipment as required.
- Report any hazards or unsafe conditions to the supervisor immediately.
- Participate in pre-job briefings and safety meetings.
3.3 Health and Safety Representative
- Conduct regular inspections of the excavation site.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations and procedures.
4. Potential Hazards and Risks
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Cave-ins | Burial, injury, or death | Use protective systems such as shoring or trench boxes [1] |
| Underground utilities | Striking utilities, causing damage or injury | Locate and mark utilities before excavation [2] |
| Falling materials | Injury from falling debris | Scale and trim loose materials from excavation sides [3] |
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Proper PPE is essential to protect workers from hazards associated with excavation work.
- Hard hat - Protects against head injuries from falling objects.
- Safety boots - Provides foot protection from heavy materials and equipment.
- High-visibility vest - Ensures workers are visible to equipment operators.
- Gloves - Protects hands from cuts and abrasions.
- Safety glasses - Protects eyes from dust and debris.
Inspect PPE before use and replace any damaged or worn items.
6. Equipment and Tools
Using the correct equipment and tools is crucial for safe and efficient pipe installation.
- Excavator - Used for digging and moving soil.
- Trench box - Provides protection against cave-ins.
- Pipe laser - Ensures accurate pipe alignment.
- Shovels - Used for manual digging and adjustments.
- Lifting slings - Used for safely lifting and positioning pipes.
Inspect equipment regularly and maintain according to manufacturer guidelines.
7. Pre-Job Requirements
7.1 Training and Competency
Workers must be trained in excavation safety, including the use of protective systems and emergency procedures.
7.2 Pre-Job Briefing
Conduct a briefing to discuss the scope of work, potential hazards, and safety measures. Ensure all workers understand their roles and responsibilities.
7.3 Work Area Preparation
Ensure the excavation site is clear of obstructions and that all utilities are marked. Set up barriers and signage to prevent unauthorized access.
8. Safe Work Procedure Steps
Step 1: Site Preparation
Prepare the site by marking utilities and setting up protective barriers.
- Locate and mark all underground utilities [2].
- Set up barriers and signage around the excavation site.
- Ensure all equipment is inspected and ready for use.
Step 2: Excavation
Excavate the trench to the required depth and width.
- Use an excavator to dig the trench, maintaining a safe distance from marked utilities.
- Ensure the trench is sloped or shored to prevent cave-ins [1].
- Remove loose materials from the trench sides [3].
Step 3: Pipe Installation
Install the pipe in the prepared trench.
- Use lifting slings to position the pipe in the trench.
- Align the pipe using a pipe laser for accuracy.
- Secure the pipe in place and backfill the trench carefully.
9. Precautions and Safety Measures
- Ensure all workers are aware of the location of underground utilities.
- Use protective systems to prevent cave-ins.
- Maintain a safe distance from the edge of the excavation.
- Monitor weather conditions and stop work if conditions become unsafe.
- Conduct regular safety inspections of the site.
10. Emergency Procedures
10.1 General Emergency Response
In the event of an emergency, stop work immediately and evacuate the area. Contact emergency services if necessary.
10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios
- Cave-in - Evacuate the area and contact emergency services.
- Utility Strike - Stop work and notify the utility company immediately.
- Injury - Provide first aid and contact emergency services.
10.3 Emergency Contact Information
[List of emergency contacts and their phone numbers]
11. Incident Reporting and Investigation
Report all incidents, near-misses, and hazards to the supervisor immediately. Conduct an investigation to determine the cause and implement corrective actions.
12. References and Related Documents
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020) [2]
- Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA) [1]
- Occupational Health and Safety Code [3]
Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]
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Sources used for this answer
[1] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)
Page 93
Open source documentSource excerpt
## 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) Support system means a structure such as underpinning, bracing, or shoring, which provides support to an adjacent structure, underground installation, or the sides of an excavation. Tabulated data means tables and charts approved by a registered professional engineer and used to design and construct a protective system. Trench (Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m). If forms or other structures are installed or constructed in an excavation so as to reduce the dimension measured from the forms or structure to the side of the excavation to 15 feet (4.6 m) or less (measured at the bottom of the excavation), the excavation is also considered to be a trench. Trench box. See 'Shield.' ## Trench shield. See 'Shield.' Uprights means the vertical members of a trench shoring system placed in contact with the earth and usually positioned so that individual members do not contact each other. Uprights placed so that individual members are closely spaced, in contact with or interconnected to each other, are often called 'sheeting.' Wales means horizontal members of a shoring system placed parallel to the excavation face whose sides bear against the vertical members of the shoring system or earth. ## §1926.651 Specific excavation requirements. - (a) Surface encumbrances. All surface encumbrances that are located so as to create a hazard to employees shall be removed or supported, as necessary, to safeguard employees. - (b) Underground installations. (1) The estimated location of utility installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to be encountered during excavation work, shall be determined prior to opening an excavation. - (2) Utility companies or…
[2] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 143
Open source documentSource excerpt
## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Application of Part 17-2 This Part applies to excavations, trenches, tunnels and excavated shafts other than excavations, trenches, tunnels and excavated shafts that are governed by The Mines Regulations . 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s17-2. ## Locating underground pipelines, etc. - 17-3 (1) An employer or contractor shall accurately establish the location of all underground pipelines, cables and conduits in an area where work is to be done and shall ensure that those locations are conspicuously marked: - (a) before commencing work using power tools or powered mobile equipment on an excavation, trench, tunnel, excavated shaft or borehole; or - (b) before breaking ground surface with any equipment to a depth that may contact underground utilities. - (2) If an operation is to be undertaken involving the disturbance of soil within 600 millimetres of an existing pipeline, cable or conduit, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the pipeline, cable or conduit is exposed by hand digging or other approved method before mechanical excavating is allowed to begin within that area. - (3) If an operation mentioned in subsection (2) exposes a pipeline, cable or conduit, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the pipeline, cable or conduit is supported to prevent any damage during backfilling and any subsequent settlement of the ground. - (4) If there is contact with or damage to an underground pipeline, cable or conduit, an employer or contractor shall immediately: - (a) notify the owner of the pipeline, cable or conduit that contact or damage has occurred; and - (b) take steps to protect the health and safety of any worker who may be at risk until any unsafe condition resulting from the contact or damage is repaired or corrected. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s17-3. ## Excavating and trenching - 17-4 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) before excavating or trenching begins, if the stability of a struct…
[3] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 233
Open source documentSource excerpt
- (a) cutting back the walls of the excavation to reduce the height of the remaining vertical walls, if any, to no more than 1.5 metres for 'hard and compact soil' and 'likely to crack or crumble soil', - (b) installing temporary protective structures, or - (c) using a combination of the methods in clauses (a) and (b). 450 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if a trench is constructed in solid rock throughout the entire trench. ## Cutting back walls - 451 If the walls of an excavation are cut back, an employer must ensure that - (a) if the soil is classified as 'hard and compact soil', the walls are sloped to within 1.5 metres of the bottom of the excavation at an angle of not less than 30 degrees measured from the vertical, - (b) if the soil is classified as 'likely to crack or crumble soil', the walls are sloped to within 1.5 metres of the bottom of the excavation at an angle of not less than 45 degrees measured from the vertical, and - (c) if the soil is classified as 'soft, sandy or loose soil', the walls are sloped from the bottom of the excavation at an angle of not less than 45 degrees measured from the vertical. ## Loose materials 452 An employer must ensure that loose materials are scaled and trimmed from the sides of an excavation if workers may be on or near the sides. ## Spoil piles - 453 An employer must ensure that a spoil pile is piled so that - (a) the leading edge of the pile is at least 1 metre away from the edge of the excavation, - (b) the slope of a spoil pile adjacent to the excavation is at an angle of not more than 45 degrees from the horizontal, and - (c) loose materials are scaled and trimmed from the spoil pile. ## Power pole support 454 An employer must ensure that work that disturbs the ground in the vicinity of an overhead power line is performed in a manner that does not reduce the original support provided for power line poles. ## Safe entry and exit 455 (1) An employer must ensure that if a worker is required to enter a tren…
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