MOHAN POWER INFRASTRUCTURE PVT LTD

Document No MPIPL/SOP/01
Issue No
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) For Issue Date
Rev No 00
Excavation Work Rev. Date
`
Introduction:

As per site condition and based on scope of work, the excavation work is hazardous. This SOP helps our workers & employees
to create safe work place at site by maintaining zero injury/ accident during excavation work at our various sites.

Hazards to Workers near Excavation Vicinity:

The most common hazards that exist in excavation work include:

 Excavation Collapses.
 Excavation material.
 Falling objects or objects near an excavation.
 Powered mobile Equipment.
 Slips, Trips and falls.
 Hazardous atmospheres.
 Flooding/ water hazards.

Excavation Collapses:

This scenario occurs because both employers and workers often forget that when they remove earth from the ground it creates
an opening and the remaining earth surrounding the opening tends to relax. This increases the pressure towards the walls of the
opening and makes the ground collapse. Water in the soil or ground also affects the stability of the walls by making additional
pressure on the walls and increasing the possibility of collapse. Unless a horizontal distance equal to the vertical depth of the
excavation walls is maintained to confirm or to provide a safe and healthy workplace within the excavation area.

Excavations in or near backfilled (previously excavated) ground are especially dangerous since the disturbed soil is loose and
not self -supporting.

In addition, clay can be extremely treacherous if dried by the sun. Large chunks of clay can break off a trench wall after having
been stable and solid for a long period.

Excavated Materials:

Injuries may also occur in excavation work when excavated material on the surface of the excavation is too close to the edge and
falls into the excavation or affects the structural stability of the walls of the excavation.
Pile all excavated material so that the material cannot roll back into the excavation. The material must never be closer than one
meter (3 ft) from the edge of excavation and should be placed as far as possible so it does not affect the structural stability of
walls.

Falling Objects or Objects near an excavation:

Place tools and equipment used at the excavation site away from the excavation area so that they cannot fall into the excavation
or affect the structural stability of the walls of the excavation. Use barriers to help keep tools and equipment at a safe distance
from the edge of the excavation. Use ropes or other lowering devices to transport the tools or equipment into the excavation.

Prepared by Approved by

BALASUBRAMANIAN G.Suvethar
 MOHAN POWER INFRASTRUCTURE PVT LTD
Document No MPIPL/SOP/01
Issue No
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) For Issue Date
Rev No 00
Excavation Work Rev. Date
`
Power Mobile Equipment

Workers may be exposed to hazards when powered mobile equipment is used near an excavation site. Power mobile equipment
includes concrete trucks, trucks removing excavated materials and others.

Common hazards related to mobile equipment include:

Equipment placed close to the edge of an excavation may cause the excavation walls to become unstable. Equipment vibration
puts additional pressure on excavation walls, affecting the structural stability.
Equipment operating on rough terrain or too close to the edge of an excavation may roll over and fall into the excavation.

Workers may be injured by equipment after operating it for a period of time. Workers may be injured by equipment. A safe
distance must be maintained from moving equipment at all times. Operators must be aware of all workers near their work area.

Slips, Trips and fall:

Slip, Trip and fall hazards are common around excavations.

Excavation edges are a risk to people working near them:

Employees working near the edge of the excavation edge need to be protected by a means of fall restraint or fall protection
during abnormal depth.

Walkways constructed for use over an excavation must be built and maintained for safe use by workers. Employees working
around an excavation site are at risk of falling into the excavation. Adequate protection must be provided for those workers as
well as pedestrian traffic that may come near the edge of the excavation.

Water Hazards:

Water Accumulation: This may be caused by excavation near a ground water source, in wet conditions or because of equipment
that uses water for operation near the excavation site. Water accumulation must be kept to a minimum to reduce risks such as
slipping or tripping hazards, electrical hazards, equipment malfunctions or others.

Underground facilities:

Common underground facilities include,

 Electrical lines
 Telecommunication lines (Phone, Cable, Computer)
 Water & sewer lines

Training for workers:

Employers must provide workers with information and training on:

 Work place hazards that they may encounter.
 Safe work procedures have explained to address those hazards.
 Personal Protective Equipment required and provided for their use.

Prepared by Approved by

BALASUBRAMANIAN G.Suvethar
 MOHAN POWER INFRASTRUCTURE PVT LTD
Document No MPIPL/SOP/01
Issue No
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) For Issue Date
Rev No 00
Excavation Work Rev. Date
`
 Barricades should be placed at all excavated areas to avoid hazardous situations.

Training need to take place:

 Before workers perform work at work place.

 Before workers perform a different work activity than they were originally trained to perform.
 Before workers are moved to another area of the work place or a different.
 Work place that has different facilities, procedures or hazards.
 Identification and control of hazards.
 Excavated materials must be placed at a minimum of one meter from the edge of excavation.
 Excavation must be guarded so that materials, workers or pedestrians do not fall into the excavation.

Prepared by Approved by

BALASUBRAMANIAN G.Suvethar