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Upstream Operations
Upstream Operations
Excavation Procedure
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000007
Revision 0 May 2012
Table of Contents
1.0
1.1
FOREWARD
Scope of Document
5
5
1.2
1.3
2.0
RESPONSIBILITIES
3.0
3.1
RISK MANAGMENT
Hazard Identification
9
9
3.2
10
3.3
Risk Control
11
4.0
DESIGN
11
5.0
5.1
PLANNING
Survey of Area to be Excavated
11
12
5.2
12
5.3
12
5.4
13
5.5
13
5.6
13
5.7
14
5.8
14
5.9
14
5.10 Backfilling
15
6.0
15
7.0
15
8.0
16
9.0
INSPECTIONS OF EXCAVATIONS
16
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
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10.8 Narrow Trenches, Ditches and Small Holes
19
19
20
10.11Fall prevention
20
21
21
21
22
22
10.14Confined Spaces
22
10.15Hazardous Substances
22
10.16Site contamination
23
23
23
24
10.18Excavation Material
24
25
25
25
11.2 Noise 25
11.3 Water management
25
25
26
11.6 Plant wash down (seed transfer) for excavation equipment and transport.
26
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
31
APPENDIX C Certificate
37
38
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1.0 FOREWARD
1.1 Scope of Document
The purpose of the QGC Excavation procedure is to assist all personnel working on all QGC Operations
and Projects sites to carry out work in accordance with safe working practices for excavation and ground
penetrations.
The Excavation procedure has been developed to ensure compliance with applicable BG Standards and
is to be used in conjunction with all applicable legislation, including Codes of Practice, and relevant
Australian Standards.
The document applies to all QGC personnel and contracting staff working on sites under QGC Upstream
Operations or Project control and will follow the principles established in the QGC PTW Procedure
(QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000002).
The QGC Excavation and Digging procedure applies to all Operational sites (Brownfield sites) and to all
Upstream Project sites. Greenfield sites are designated through the Greenfield Construction Assessment
Process and a formal handover of Greenfield designated real-estate is undertaken before any Greenfield
construction work can commence.
Note: Where there are differences in process for Greenfield sites, these are clearly identified in Greenfield
text boxes.
This procedure addresses the HSE aspects of ground penetrations, open excavation, trenching and
shoring operations on QGC .
This document defines the responsibilities of nominated persons and approvals required for the
excavation.
Local legislation may detail additional requirements and workplaces must include any further detail when
considering the application of this procedure relevant to the workplace risk assessments.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
The following responsibilities apply for all personnel undertaking activities covered by this document.
Role
General Manager, Field
Operations
Responsibility
a) Provide a safe system of work where persons are not exposed to
hazards by ensuring that where reasonably practicable, any work
involving risk to health, safety or the environment is eliminated, or
appropriate control measures are in place to remove all
unacceptable risks.
b) Ensure that all aspects of the QGC Operations Excavation
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Role
Area Superintendent
Responsibility
Procedure are implemented, resourced and monitored.
c) Ensure emergency response persons are trained and competent
to perform emergency rescue from a work situation
d) Ensure the PTW system, which includes Excavating and Digging
as a high risk activity is effective in operation, documented, and
adequately resourced in material, personnel, and skills.
e) Ensure processes for monitoring, auditing and reviewing the
Excavation procedure are established and maintained.
a) Maintain a PTW system that covers Excavation, to ensure that
work will be undertaken on QGC work sites with adequate control
measures in place to reduce risk to ALARP.
b) Ensure that the PTW System, including Excavation, is reviewed
regularly to ensure compliance with regulatory and QGC
standards, policy and procedural requirements.
c) Ensure that identified non-compliances are reported, thoroughly
investigated and remedial actions closed out.
d) Facilitate Excavation consultation and communication processes
across QGC operations for review of the PTW System across all
levels. Ensure Management of Change Processes are in place
where required.
e) Ensure that information, instruction, training and supervision of all
personnel is provided to enable them to perform their work such
that their exposure to the hazards on QGC sites is as low as
reasonably practical.
f) Appoint Endorsing Authorities for high risk tasks involving
Excavating and Digging.
g) Implement a process to ensure the design, modification,
purchase and/or hire of plant, equipment and PPE used for
Excavation complies with all applicable statutory requirements
and this procedure.
a) Ensure competent personnel are appointed to manage the
Excavation procedure for the site.
b) Ensure that there is a system to regularly inspect and maintain in
proper working condition all plant, equipment or PPE used for
Excavation on QGC sites.
c) Ensure the development, maintenance and regular review of
hazard and equipment registers for the site that support the
Excavation procedure. This equipment will be tested and certified
for use by licensed and competent persons.
d) Ensure emergency response people, systems and processes are
in place for the site. This includes appointing appropriately
trained and competent personnel and conducting a full scale
emergency response drill at least annually.
e) Auditing the Excavation procedure for the site on a regular basis
to ensure compliance.
f) Ensure that all employees and contractors using the Excavation
procedure are informed of its requirements; are trained and
competent and understand the need for compliance.
g) Ensure the Excavation procedure is understood and complied
with by all employees and contractors, including monitoring the
effectiveness of the Excavation procedure within their work area.
h) Ensure that all employees and contractors involved in any works
related to the Excavation procedure are trained and competent
and comply.
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Role
Area Owner
Responsibility
a) Ensure the Excavation procedure is understood and complied
with by all employees and contractors, including monitoring the
effectiveness of the Excavation procedure within their work area.
b) Issue a TAN for the work to proceed when satisfied that all
controls listed on the PTW and supporting PTW certificates have
been implemented.
c) Ensure that all tasks in their area are monitored during the
course of the work.
d) Issue a Proximity TAN when satisfied that the proposed task in
close proximity to their area does not present a hazard to any
activities conducted on their real estate.
a) Promote a proactive approach to the Excavation procedure,
where employees and contractors understand and effectively
utilize the procedure.
b) Obtain the PTW from the Permit Issuer and acknowledge
understanding of the control measures stipulated in the PTW,
supporting certificates and documentation.
c) Coach team members on the method of completing JSEAs, with
specific focus on Excavation.
d) Step through the SWMS, JSEA, rescue plan and other
supporting documents under the PTW, prior to work
commencing, with all parties working under the PTW. Review
and approve JSEA for the task and ensure that the hazards have
a residual risk level of medium or low.
e) Monitor the implementation of control measures as per the
SWMS and JSEA and provide ongoing supervision and control
while the task is being completed under the PTW.
f) Ensure all persons performing high risk work hold the relevant
competencies/licenses and are trained and competent to perform
the work.
g) Ensure all equipment used meets the relevant Australian
Standards and is fit for purpose.
h) Ensure relevant equipment is inspected and where evidence of
excessive wear or mechanical malfunction the equipment is
repaired tested & re-certified for use or replaced.
e) Ensure Excavation training and coaching is provided to
applicable employees and contractors within their area of
responsibility.
i) Obtain Proximity TAN as identified on the PTW before a TAN is
obtained for task to commence.
j) Obtain TAN from Area Owner to commence task.
k) Ensure during the handback process that the area is left in a safe
condition and the PTW / TAN is closed out.
a) Ensure the correct tools and equipment are identified to be used
to complete the task.
l) Where conditions change stop work activities and review the
PTW with the work group when the supervisor and or workers
foresee any new hazard during the course of work that is not
already covered by the SWMS or JSEA. If variations to PTW may
be required, suspend all work and contact the Area Owner
immediately to initiate a review and authorisation of the proposed
variation.
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Role
Work Party Member
Permit Issuer
Endorsing Authority
HSSE Manager
Responsibility
a) Participate in the review of the SWMS, JSEA, rescue plan and
other supporting documents under the PTW, prior to work
commencing.
b) Stop work activity and review the SWMS & JSEA with a
Supervisor and/or work group when workers foresee any new
hazard, potential issues or scope of work changes during the
course of the task.
c) Ensure individual familiarity with the approved PTW content,
including Excavation procedure requirements and comply while
completing the task.
d) Will ask questions and clarify SWMS content before signing onto
a SWMS or JSEA within the PTW form.
e) Will not perform any work unless trained, competent and holding
relevant, licences/certifications for the task at hand.
f) Will familiarise themselves with work hazards and relevant
controls (including isolations) and will not commence work unless
all control measures identified in the SWMS and JSEA are in
place.
g) Notify the Permit Holder of any damage or deficiency observed in
any equipment and remove from service where required.
a) Ensure that all identified high risk work is undertaken under the
PTW system and that authorisations are obtained from Endorsing
Authorities for Excavation when required.
b) Review and approve the SWMS, PTW and supporting
documentation - specifically Excavation - prior to issuing to the
Permit Holder.
c) Ensure all persons performing high risk work hold the relevant
certificates/licences and are trained and competent to perform
the work.
d) Ensure all controls necessary for safe work involving Excavation
are documented in the SWMS and PTW and its supporting
documentation (Certificates and plans).
e) Ensure any Proximity TAN requirements are identified and
brought to the attention of the Permit Holder.
f) Recommend suitable tasks for inclusion on the Approved Task
List
a) Within their expertise ensure that all controls for specified high
risk work are documented in the SWMS, the PTW and the PTW
Certificate/s.
b) Certify on the PTW Certificates that all controls are appropriate
for the task.
c) Provide advice to the workforce on their area of expertise.
d) Ensure processes for monitoring, auditing and reviewing the
PTW system are established and maintained.
a) Ensure the Excavation procedure complies with BG Group and
Australian Regulatory requirements.
b) Ensure the Excavation procedure is audited as per the audit
schedule and monitor close out of non-conformances.
c) Provide advice on Excavation best practice for continuous
improvement.
d) Ensure this procedure is reviewed and kept-up-to-date.
e) Ensure Excavation training and mentoring is provided to
applicable persons as per the requirements of this procedure.
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Role
Responsibility
f)
g)
h)
PTW Coordinator
a)
b)
c)
d)
the instability of the excavation due to persons or plant working adjacent to the excavation;
hazardous atmosphere in excavation or trench from leak of gas or flammable liquids from above
ground leaks or spills, vehicle/machinery exhaust fumes; or poor ventilation;
vibration;
lifting and handling hazards (e.g. from scaffolding being lowered into the excavation);
buried munitions;
confined space;
contaminated soil.
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For excavations and trenches across roads, the control of traffic and pedestrians must be considered in
the SWMS. Consideration must be given to preparing a traffic management plan.
Controls for all hazards identified must be recorded on the SWMS.
3.2
local site conditions, including access, ground slope, adjacent buildings and structures, water
courses (including underground) and trees;
soil properties, including variable soil types, stability, shear strength, cohesion, presence or ground
water, effect of exposure to the elements;
fractures or faults in rocks, including joints, bedding planes, dip and strike directions and angles, clay
seams;
any specialised plant or work methods required (for example ground support);
The SWMS must consider whether the excavation can become a confined space as defined in the QGC
Confined Space Entry Procedure QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000003. If so, those requirements must apply
in addition to the requirements of this procedure.
The SWMS must consider all reasonably foreseeable hazards and determine the required control
measures for these hazards. Based on the outcome of the risk assessment, all necessary safety systems
and equipment including PPE must be provided and an emergency plan must be prepared.
The JSEA process and/or Step back process must identify any new/ unique hazards specific to the work
area and ensure all persons involved with the activity are aware of the hazards, and controls required
commencing works in a safe manner.
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Elimination
Substitution
Engineering /
Isolation
Least
Effective
Administrative
Controls
Personal Protective
Equipment
4.0 DESIGN
Designs must optimise the layout, constructability, operability, maintainability and accessibility of facilities,
whilst at the same time minimising the requirement for excavation or trenching during construction and
subsequent operation.
Excavations and any supports must be designed in accordance with acceptable engineering principals
and standards.
5.0 PLANNING
All excavation and trenching work must be planned.
Prior to any excavation works taking place, the ground conditions must be assessed. This can be
achieved through boreholes, trial pits or information from previous or current work in the area. If none of
the above is possible, the ground conditions must be examined when excavation commences.
Planning must consider:
nature of the work and other activities that may affect safety;
site access;
nearby structures;
public safety;
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precisely locating existing live service by potholing or exposing the service by hand;
excavation methods;
use of spotters;
A minimum limit of approach distance of 1 metre must apply to mechanical excavating without a spotter
present - towards live underground services (dependant on workplace risk assessment a greater limit
may be required).
A minimum limit of approach distance of 0.5 metres must apply to mechanical excavating with a spotter
present - towards live underground services (dependant on workplace risk assessment a greater limit
may be required).
Refer to AS 2885.3:2001
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AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations Construction and demolition sites (Section 2.7 Lighting
and luminaries)
AS 2293.1 2005 Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings Part 1: System design,
installation and operation (Section 5 Design of emergency escape luminaire installation)
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5.10 Backfilling
Backfilling operations must be considered during the planning process to ensure that the operation is
planned and conducted safely and efficiently whilst achieving the planned standards of compaction.
Particular issues that must be considered are:
removal of shoring to ensure that workers are not exposed to unsupported trench walls;
marking of services with underground marking tapes and surface markings as per local legislative
requirements.
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location of pumps;
development and communication of safe and rapid evacuation procedures, including injured
persons;
having trained personnel to oversee evacuation and rescue procedures until emergency authorities
arrive;
All personnel on site must be made aware of the plan and how it relates to their particular work area.
any substantial rain event which may have led to water ingress;
every blast;
any change in site conditions e.g. when other construction activities are taking place in the vicinity.
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All deficiencies noted must be made good; any remedial or other works necessary must be carried out as
soon as possible and, in any intervening period, no other works must be carried out in the excavation.
Copies of the inspection results as well as copies of the excavation and other documents pertinent to the
job must be held with the PTW documentation at a prominent location in the working area.
Note:
Anyone may stop the excavation works if the works appear to be unsafe.
a minimum of two access/ egress points for every 9m or trench must be applied;
ladders may be used but they must extend at least 1 metre above the top; and
If an excavation is more than 1.2 metres deep the following control measures apply to entry:
the Permit Holder must ensure there is ladder access installed at least every 9 metres of length;
for excavations shorter than 9 metres, an emergency means of access must be provided: this can
take the form of a second ladder placed near the excavation that can be installed quickly when
necessary or have ingress / egress ramps either end of trench;
no person must work alone in excavations or trenches and the Permit Holder must enforce this; and
entry points must be secured when work is suspended and the excavation is left unmanned, to avoid
pedestrian and vehicle encroachment. This protection will include, where appropriate, the use of
lighting and reflective signage.
Greenfield
Access / egress ramps must be constructed for all Greenfield excavations.
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- Orange
Gas
- Yellow
- Red
Telecommunications
- White
Sewerage
- Black
Water (potable)
Storm water
- Green
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is de-watering required, and if so, will it affect the stability of the trench?
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Shoring must be dismantled in the reverse order to its installation.
Workers must never work outside the protection of ground support systems, no matter what the
circumstances.
Note:
Loads must not be suspended or travel over a person under any circumstances.
Control measures must be properly installed and maintained until the work is completed or until there is
no longer any risk of persons falling into the excavation.
The risk of material falling into an excavation increases during high winds. Provision of overhead
protective structures must be assessed and documented where the hazard of falling objects has been
identified.
Every part of the trench or excavation where there is a likelihood of a person falling 1 metre or more must
be provided with barricades or handrails as soon as possible after excavation (dependant on workplace
risk assessment, in particular considering volume of traffic (pedestrian or vehicle) near the excavation
etc). Barriers and barricades must be located a minimum of 1.0 m from the edge of the excavation.
Walkways across trenches must be fitted with handrails. For trenches greater than 1.8 metres the
requirements of the Working at Heights Procedure (edge protection) apply.
Barricades or handrails can be removed to allow access or movement of plant, or materials. Once
access is no longer required the barricades or handrails must be re-instated.
AS1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders Design, construction and installation
describes the requirements for walkways that must apply to excavations. AS 1657 requires:
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guard rails must be at a height above the walkway of not less than 900 mm or more than 1100 mm;
another rail is required with a gap of no more than 450 mm between it and the top of the toe board
or the top rail unless the there is a sheet of sturdy mesh, sheeting or other material between the top
rail and the toe board;
toe boards must extend at least 100 mm above the surface of the walkway and the gap between the
toe board and the walkway must not exceed 10 mm; and
the minimum width for walkways is 550 mm for walkways with guard rails on both sides otherwise
the minimum width is 600 mm. The recommended width for two way traffic is 900 mm.
barricades;
barriers;
fencing; and
handrails.
Barriers or stop blocks must be installed where there is an identified risk of cranes, dumpers, tip trucks,
etc. manoeuvring too close to the edge of the trench and endangering its stability or falling into the
excavation.
Care must be taken with selecting barricading material. Substantial barriers or barricades must be used
instead of materials such as webbing fences.
Webbing fences must only be used for pedestrian traffic management, not for fall protection. Clear and
sufficient signs must be posted to at the entrances to the excavation to highlight the excavation hazard
and any particular hazards encountered within the excavation such as a confined space.
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10.13
Vehicles and plant must not be brought alongside excavations or trenches unless it is essential to do so.
A competent person must approve any such movements.
Vibrating and impact machinery must be operated and kept well clear of excavation/trench sides.
It may be necessary to bridge excavations temporarily to provide access to premises or to permit the
passage of vehicles when work is temporarily suspended. In such situations a competent person must
determine the use and design of temporary bridging.
When road plates are used the following precautions must apply:
the trench sides must be stable or suitable supported(taking into account anticipated traffic loading);
the plate should be of sufficient length to be firmly supported for at least 600 mm on each side of the
trench and of a width sufficient to provide a distance of at least 250 mm from the wheels of vehicles
to the edge of the plate( or as determined by a competent person;
the thickness of the plate should be sufficient to support the range of traffic encountered;
ramps should be formed of a suitable material where the road plate is proud of the road surface;
when the site is not attended, or when subject to frequent use by heavy vehicles, consideration
should be given to securing the road plate(s) by pinning or sinking into the roadway.
all road plates on unmanned sites should be submitted to visual inspection on a regular basis;
appropriate lifting and handling precautions must be taken to ensure that the road plates are
transported, installed and removed safely; and
fabricated bridges must have engineering certification for load bearing capacity
10.14
Confined Spaces
Risk assessment must consider the potential for the excavation to be a confined space. If a confined
space risk is identified, the confined space must be eliminated or, if this is not possible, appropriate risk
control measures must be implemented and documented. QGC Refer to Confined Space Entry
Procedure (QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000003).
A Confined Space Certificate is required before entering an excavation if the excavation is determined to
be a Confined Space (QCOPS-BX00-HSS-CER-000001).
The Area Superintendent must ensure that the requirements for confined spaces in trenches and
excavations are clearly defined and understood.
10.15
Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances introduced into the workplace must be risk assessed, which must identify training
needs, personal protective equipment (PPE) and relevant safe work systems.
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Less hazardous substances must be used wherever possible. A MSDS (material safety data sheet)
register must be maintained on site and the MSDS must be readily available in the area where the
substances are used.
10.16
Site contamination
Contaminated sites require special management during excavation and trenching operations. Persons
may be exposed to contamination in the soil through inhalation, ingestion (swallowing) and through skin
absorption. These substances may include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, insecticides, asbestos, silica
dust, combustible material, or biologically harmful material from buried wastes.
If it is determined that these substances may be present or if they are encountered during the excavation
process, then a system to eliminate or control these hazards must be investigated and implemented.
Consideration must also be given to the storage and eventual treatment or disposal of these materials
The Area Superintendent must ensure that any material imported as fill or exported as waste material has
been evaluated for contamination.
In some circumstances, exporting contaminated material from a site requires local/State government
approvals and these must be obtained before the material is allowed to leave the site.
Spill kits are located in areas regularly associated with the use of hydrocarbons
Specially equipped spill kits are available when working near or on water.
All staff are aware that all hydrocarbon spills must be reported to the Area Superintendent or their
delegate, who will initiate an incident report following the procedure managing HSE Incidents
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10.17
When mechanical excavators (or machine powered surface breakers) are to be used, it is essential that
the integrity of all underground services in the vicinity is maintained through its location and exposure by
hand digging in advance. Third party service owners must be consulted to ascertain protective measures
to be applied when working in the vicinity of their services and for the minimum proximity distance to be
applied when using mechanical equipment. To ensure the safe use of any mechanical excavator,
consideration should be given to the use of a competent safety observe/spotter. If any damage is caused
to underground services, it must be reported as soon as possible. Work must only continue once the
damage has been repaired, or it has been confirmed by a Competent Person that it is safe to do so.
Similarly when pipelines, mains or ducts are to be installed by non-destructive techniques (e.g. moling,
horizontal directional drilling) all other underground services in the vicinity of the route must be located
and exposed by hand digging in advance. Where the planned route crosses above other buried services
then the safe passage of the pipe laying tool must be verified by opening an excavation immediately
above the verified position of the third party services to an appropriate depth.
Due care must be exercised as work proceeds to e
nsure that existing underground services are not damaged, particularly with respect to electrical cables.
Cables and pipe locators must be used to confirm the position of existing cables and other metallic
underground services prior to the commencement of work, and also at frequent intervals as excavation
proceeds.
Consideration must be given to isolation electrical services where practical (buried and overhead)>
Warning notices must be erected on the approaches to overhead power lines or obstructions.
Mechanical plant must not be used within 0.5 m of live services.
10.18
Excavation Material
Excavation Material must normally be placed along the side of the excavation, and care must be taken to
prevent the weight of excavation material contributing to excess loading and collapse of the trench side.
To provide adequate working space and to avoid the danger of debris falling into the trench, sufficient
space ( preferably 600 mm to 1200mm, but not less than 300 mm) must be left between the trench and
excavated material.
For trenches or open excavations that shall be occupied by personnel, the minimum setback for spoil
must be 1.0m.
For excavations in trafficked roads where conditions permit, consideration should be given to placing the
excavated soil so as to form an additional barrier against traffic. In all cases, excavated materials must be
placed so as not to cause a hazard to personnel, pedestrians or road traffic. Toe boards must be installed
for deep excavations where there is an injury risk from falling spoil, tools or other objects.
Where the excavation material is to be re-used, the surface materials must be kept separate from the
subsoil, so that suitable layers may be replaced in the proper order during reinstatement. Inn these
circumstances the excavated material should be protected against adverse wet weather conditions or
excessive drying out. Consideration should be given to covering the excavated material in order to
maintain the moisture content.
Greenfield
A minimum of 1.0 m must be left between the trench and excavated material.
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10.19
Where mechanical ventilation equipment is required to establish and maintain a safe environment the
equipment must be monitored regularly and have the controls, including any remote power supply
identified and tagged to prevent any unauthorised and / or accidental interference.
Consideration must be given to the potential for exhaust gases from equipment outside the excavation
entering the workings and exhaust gases from equipment inside the workings not being carried away
from the work area by natural ventilation.
11.2 Noise
Provision must be made to manage noise within and around the excavation. This includes noise hazards
to those around and within the excavation and noise emission from the works.
All efforts must be made to eliminate or engineer the source of the noise consistent with the hierarchy of
controls.
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Alternative water removing methods must be considered in any of the following circumstances:
where pumping from trench sumps is inadequate to keep trenches free from water;
where excavations are to be present for a considerable period of time in waterlogged ground.
Alternative measures include sumps external to the excavation, well points, electro-osmosis and
consolidation by freezing or by chemical process. Where it is anticipated that such measures will be
needed, the advice of a suitability qualified engineer experienced in such works must be sought.
provide stabilising ground cover protection from the effects of raindrop impact.
11.6 Plant wash down (seed transfer) for excavation equipment and transport.
Vehicles and machinery are recognised as a major source spreading declared weeds. Plant and
equipment must arrive on, and exit the site clean and free from a build up of dirt or plant material.
Wash down facilities must be established as identified in the WAP or WP risk assessment, i.e. in a known
declared weed area.
Wash down areas must be:
regularly inspected for weed seedlings which may have germinated from seeds washed off vehicles
etc. Any weeds must be controlled immediately; and
Where it is impractical or not possible to establish a wash-down facility consideration must be given to
adopting alternative options and solutions to manage seed transfer.
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To protect pipe coatings and polyethylene pipe, subsoil fill must be clean, moist and free from sharp
stones greater than 18 mm in size. Backfill soil may be sieved to meet this requirement or soil may be
imported as required.
Cementatious materials must not be used as fine fill material around pipes. Fine fill material should be
packed firmly around pipes or fittings to give a minimum compacted thickness of 75 mm.
When placing fine fill around large diameter pipes, or where the side gap between the wall of the
excavation and the pipe is greater than 75 mm, special care must be taken to ensure firm compaction of
the fine fill especially around the lower half of the pipe.
The required thickness of other levels of reinstatement will depend on the location of the excavation or
trench (e.g. private land, carriageway, footway, etc.) and the requirements of the landowner or
management authority. All unbound materials used in these levels must be placed in layers no deeper
than 300mm within the trench and firmly compacted using approved mechanical compaction equipment.
Excavated material may be suitable for re-use as backfill material provided that the material is moist,
does not contain any particles larger than 75 mm and is not uniformly graded i.e. is not single-sized.
At the completion of the work, the work site must be cleared of all rocks, soil and other debris and
returned, as far as is practicable, to its original condition or finished to an agreed plan.
Drawings and other documentation must be updated to reflect any changes due to the work just
completed.
Any re-vegetation of the work area must be conducted with suitable species and in consultation with
relevant local government personnel.
13.1 Supervision
A supervisor is a suitably qualified / competent person responsible for / in charge of the excavation /
trenching work.
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Informed:
Enter name/position of those to receive the completed document
Responsible Person: Lynn OMalley
Principal HSSE Advisor, Upstream Operations
Accountable Person: Rod McPherson
HSSE Manager, Upstream Operations
Endorser: Dan McCoy
General Manager Operations
QGC Operations and Projects Personnel
QGC Corporate HSSE
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RACIE Terms
R
Responsible:
Accountable:
Consulted:
the person who has to answer for the success or failure of the quality and timeliness of
the document
those who must be consulted before the document is published
Informed:
Endorsed:
Revision Record
Issue
Date
Responsible
Accountable
4.04.12
L OMalley
Rod McPherson
28.05.12
Issued as Final
L OMalley
Rod McPherson
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Barrier
Batter or slope
Battering
Benching
CAD Coordinator
Closed Sheeting
Competent person
Confined space
Meaning
The slope at which dumped or excavated material is naturally stable and does not
fall away
Material used for refilling excavations
An object such as jersey kerb or plant capable of providing effective protection
against traffic entering the work site. IMPORTANT: Barricade/Barriers <4.2m clear
of traffic at 60kmph, <3.0m clear of traffic at <60kmph and <6.8m clear of traffic at
80kmph require design verification and signoff by the traffic engineer (check with
local/state requirements)
A self-supporting structure or a self-supporting series of continuous solid barriers
erected or placed to restrict the entry to a workplace
The angle of an excavation in relation to the horizontal
The development of a sloped wall to an excavation to a predetermined angle.
The development of stepped sides to an excavation to lessen the overall slope of
the excavated walls to a predetermined angle
Person (engineer, senior surveyor etc) with the capability to access and use the
current services model or equivalent process/system. This person can be assigned
the responsibility to provide services information as identified in survey
documentation, services drawings, as built construction drawings and provide
overlay drawings such as service locations onto design drawings
A continuous frame with vertical or horizontal sheathing planks placed side by side
to form a continuous retaining wall supported by other members of a support
system used to secure the face of an excavation
A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the
knowledge and skills to carry out the task test or inspect equipment. Generally
'competency' is assessed by QGC or a third party.
Note: In relation to performing an inspection or other task for a control measure,
means a person who has acquired, through training, qualifications or experience the
knowledge and skills to do the task in a safe way, including knowledge of relevant
Australian Standards, Industry Standards, Codes of Practice and other legislation.
An enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not intended or designed primarily
for human occupancy, within which there is a risk of one or more of the following:
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Term
Construction Zone
Cover
Earthmoving
machinery
Excavation
Exclusion Zone
Face
Fence
FOPS
Geo-technical
engineer
Greenfield Zone
Handrail
Meaning
A defined location that has been formally identified with clearly defined boundaries
in which the following activities may occur:
a Greenfield or Brownfield site with special cordoned off barriers and denoted
safe for the purpose of the work to be done;
A steel plate or other suitable material capable of withstanding the loads that may
be imposed upon it and of sufficient weight or secured to prevent unauthorised
removal.
A free referral service for information on underground pipes and cables anywhere is
Australia.
Applies to all services power/communications/gas/sewer-water/storm water, etc.)
These services are decommissioned, disconnected /cut off from the supply
source with the intention that they are redundant they are no longer part of
the service owners operational network.
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Term
Isolated Service
Limits of approach
Non destructive
digging
Operator protective
device
Overburden
Permit Holder
Permit Issuer
Positive identification
Meaning
Applies to all services power/ communications/ gas/ sewer-water/ storm water etc.
A component of QGCs overall risk management process that occurs at the area of
work immediately prior to commencement of the task under a PTW
A JSEA involves conducting a work party review of all relevant HSSE
documentation associated with the task and capturing any additional hazards not
already identified (e.g. in the, PTW, SOP or SWMS), assessing the risk/s and
deciding on appropriate controls to reduce the risks
A table, modified to suit local requirements which specifies the minimum distance
between the service and mechanical or hand excavation
A process of digging holes with the use of air and water whilst the debris is
vacuumed and saved for back fill
A roll-over protective structure (ROPS), falling object protective structure (FOPS),
operator restraining device and seatbelt
Surface soil that must be displaced
A person deemed competent and approved by QGC to carry out the work specified
on a PTW and to whom a PTW can be issued by the Permit Issuer
A person deemed competent and approved by QGC to define the control measures
to be implemented in establishing a safe work environment for the Work Party and
issue PTW and supporting documents
Measures have been undertaken to determine that the service located is actually
the service it is believed to be:
Potholing
Powered mobile plant
Prescribed
information
Runners
Measures include pot holing - soft dig options including non destructive
excavation methods and scanning /detection techniques
The use of a high pressure water and vacuum system to safely locate buried
pipelines and cables
Plant that us provided with some form of self propulsion that is ordinarily under the
direct control of an operator
Information about an underground service, necessary to safely undertake
excavation/trenching work at or near the service, including:
(a) The location of the service
(b) The type of the service
(c) The depth of the service
(d) For an electrical servicewhether the service is live; and
(e) The restrictions to be followed in doing the work
Any timbers, metal or sheet piling used to form the vertical members if an
excavation support
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Term
Safe Slope
Meaning
The steepest slope at which an excavated face is stable against slips and slides,
having regard to the qualities of the material in the face, the height of the face, the
load above the face and the moisture conditions
A work statement produced as part of the submission for a Permit to Work that:
identifies the work activity to be undertaken and the proposed steps in the job;
states the safety hazards and or associated risks for each step;
describes the control measures that will be applied to the work activity and the
revised risk;
and includes a description of the equipment used in the work and the competencies
of the workers.
Scafftag
Service authority
Must
Shoring
Soft dig
Soldier
Strut or screw jack
Support Structure
Tom
Trench
Trench Shield
Vacuum truck
Waling
Water scouring
Zone of influence
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
In this document, the following acronyms and abbreviations apply:
Acronym/Abbreviation
Meaning
FOPS
JSEA
PTW
Permit To Work
ROPS
SWMS
Ref.
Document Number
Title/Description
1.
BGA-OPS-OS-0032
2.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000001
3.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000005
4.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000003
5.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000004
6.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000011
7.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-CER-000001
8.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-CER-000003
Excavation Certificate
9.
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-FRM-000002
SWMS form
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
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Ref.
Document Number
15.
AS 1345:1995
16.
AS1657
17.
AS 1742.3: 2009
18.
AS 2885.3: 2001
19.
20.
AS 2293.1: 2005
Title/Description
Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and
ducts
Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders
Design, construction and installation
Manual of uniform traffic control devices Part 3: Traffic
control for works on roads
Pipelines: Gas & Liquefied Petroleum Maintenance
and Operation
Electrical installations Construction and demolition
sites (Section 2.7 Lighting and luminaries)
Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings
Part1: System design, installation and operation
(Section 5 Design of emergency escape luminaire
installation)
Note: at this date, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland nor Safe Work Australia have Codes of
Practice for Excavation. The WA Code of Practice is the latest available from Australian workplace safety
authorities.
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APPENDIX C CERTIFICATE
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FEEDBACK FORM
This form should be used to notify comment or suggestions for improvement, relating to any aspect of the
document identified below. Please return the completed form by Email, to the Responsible identified in the
associated RACIE matrix
Document title:
Excavation Procedure
Document No:
QCOPS-BX00-HSS-PCE-000007
Issue No:
Issue Date:
Comments by:
Name: ..
Position: ..
Date:
Email address / Contact Tel.No:
Comment
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