Excavation SafetyExcavation Safety

Roles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities

• CONTRACTOR– Cannot dig unless a SLAC-

provided Excavation Permit implemented

– Coordinates underground survey

– Provide a Competent Person

2

Program Status Past and PresentProgram Status Past and PresentProgram Status Past and PresentProgram Status Past and Present

• Excavation-related incidents @ SLAC

– Utility strikes (punctured gas line, broken CT water line, buried electrical.

– Radiation-generating devices (soil density gauges) that were brought on site without prior approval of RPFO.

– Employee struck by Backhoe, injured shoulder

3                  

Program RequirementsProgram RequirementsProgram RequirementsProgram Requirements

• Program is intended to protect workers– Egress within 25 feet– Protective system

• All four sides as needed

– Loose rock and soil– Oxygen deficiency– Water accumulation– Heavy equipment– Fall protection

4

Program RequirementsProgram RequirementsProgram RequirementsProgram Requirements

• Program is also intended to protect -– Existing Utilities and

Adjacent Structures• Utility strikes, undermining

– The Environment• Erosion, stormwater

pollution, improper disposal of excavated material

5

Roles and Responsibilities, continuedRoles and Responsibilities, continuedRoles and Responsibilities, continuedRoles and Responsibilities, continued

• SUBCONTRACTOR’S EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON– Is present during all active operations. If work is being

conducted in a trench by more than one subcontractor, each must have its own competent person present when employee exposure can reasonably be anticipated.

– Identifies and ensures the use of adequate protective systems, work methods, and personal protective equipment (PPE) on site in accordance with excavation regulations and best safety management practices

– Stops activity and removes exposed personnel from the hazardous area until necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety whenever finding evidence of a potentially hazardous situation that could result in a possible cave-in, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions

6

Daily InspectionDaily InspectionDaily InspectionDaily Inspection7

Competent Person must:

Perform and document the daily excavation inspection and maintain the documentation for review by SLAC/DOE.