SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT

(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

Nasr consortium Petro pars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc No.SP12-2Y1-HS-PP-999-010-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 1 of 8

EXCAVATION SAFETY PROCEDURE

D0 15Aug2009 For S.Dadmehr B. Hossiani M.S.Vaziri Sh.Tabibzadeh

Review/Comment
REV. DATE DESCRIPTION PREPARED CHECKED APPROVED AUTHORIZED

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 2 of 8

Contents

1.0 PURPOSE ------------------------------------- 2

2.0 SCOPE ------------------------------------- 3

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES ------------------------------------- 3

4.0 DEFENITION ------------------------------------- 4

5.0 INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------------------- 4

5.1 GENERAL ------------------------------------- 4

5.2 PREPARATION ------------------------------------- 5

5.3 EXCAVIATION OF THE WORK ------------------------------------- 5

5.4 SUPPORT ------------------------------------- 6

5.5 COMPLETION ------------------------------------- 6

5.6 GENRAL CONSIDERATION ------------------------------------- 6

5.7 BACK FILL ------------------------------------- 7

5.8 SAFE PRACTICE REMINDER ------------------------------------- 7

5.8.2 During the work ------------------------------------- 8

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 3 of 8

1. PURPOSE
This procedure and guidance has been developed to define the actions required to safely control civil
works excavation activities on NASR CONSORTIUM Projects thus providing safe conditions for all persons
working in excavations and to protect other persons who could be affected by such activities.

2. SCOPE
To be used by the NASR CONSORTIUM Project Management Team, Supervisor and Subcontractors
personnel who supervise and control civil works operations.

3. RESPOSIBILITY
3.1 The Contractor Civil Work Superintendent The Civil Work superintendent in charge of the work shall
carry out the following activities:

3.1.1 Prior to any excavation being dug, carry out a prior survey of the area to establish the presence of
any underground utilities.

3.1.2 Establish ground conditions, e.g. the type of ground involved, clay, sand etc.
and compaction qualities and water table.

3.1.3 Identify the presence of any overhead lines and other obstructions.

3.1.4 Identify the need for any permits that are required in the area an arrange for them.

3.1.5 Brief the Subcontractor carrying out the work of any adjacent operations that may affect the work,
the presence of overhead and underground utilities.

3.1.6 For any excavations of a depth of 2 meters or more, the subcontract must submit an excavation
permit for approval of Contractor Civil Work Superintendent and HSE department (copy of Excavation
Certificate attached).

3.2 Subcontractors.
Shall be responsible for the following:

3.2.1 Briefing personnel doing the work on the safe working practices required.

3.2.2 Application of any work permits that are provided.

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 4 of 8

3.2.3 NASR CONSORTIUM HSE department will check outside appearance of all vehicles
before entering to operate on site.

3.2.4 Provision of equipment that is capable of carrying out the work safely has been maintained and is
certified for use on the project.

3.2.5 Provision of adequate barriers, flashing lights and signs for the work.

3.2.6 Program the work to ensure that any trenches that go across roads are done so in a manner that
maintains access.

3.2.7 Notify the Civil Work superintendent of any unmarked utilities found.

3 DEFENITIONS

3.2 EXCAVATION
Making a hole or channel in the ground by digging.

3.3 Underground Services.

All authorized services placed in the ground and controlled by a recognized authority. It does not include
underground structures such as brick sewers, railway tunnels, etc.

4 INSTRUCTIONS

4.2 GENERAL
5.1.1 No ground can be considered totally stable.
5.1.2 No soil, whatever its nature, can be relied upon to support its own weight for any length of time,
let alone any additional loads imposed on it by plant and materials.

5.1.3 The ground may be inherently weak, laminated or have previously been disturbed.

5.1.4 Water can create instability in excavation, which can occur through:
The effects of rainwater.
Changes in groundwater conditions.
Erosion by water.
Drying out of soil.

5.1.5 Nasr Consortium HSE department should check out all machineries before
entering to site.

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 5 of 8

5.1.6 All excavations must be made safe by:

Battering the sides to a safe angle of repose, or
Installing structural support, e.g. trench sheets, struts, sheet piling, proprietary systems or the
use of drag boxes.

5.1.7 Excavations less than 1.2m deep may not require support if the ground is firm, provided that
proper safety procedures exist and are always carried out and monitored.

5.1.8 All excavations deeper than 1.2m must have their sides adequately supported or be battered
back to a safe slope.

5.1.9 One cubic meter of earth weights approximately 1.3tonnes, even if this does not kill a person or
persons it is capable of inflicting very serious and disabling injuries.

5.2 PREPARATION

5.2.1 Before any excavation work is carried out the following procedures and actions will be carried
out.
The ground conditions mentioned above will be determined by predetermined soil analysis,
boreholes or trial pits.
Hand digging requirements will be established for exposing existing utilities.
A determination with regard to the system of support to be used.

5.3 EXCAVATION WORK

5.3.1 During the process of earth removal the following safe working procedure will be followed:
Personnel will be kept clear of machinery whilst it is operation, minimum distance of 5 meters.
Barriers and signs will be erected to keep unauthorized personnel clear.
Trucks used for the removal of spoil will be controlled and sited by a banks man.
The ongoing provision of side supports shall be programmed into the work to maintain the
integrity of the excavation.
Personnel engaged in hand digging operations would be briefed on the actions to be taken when
uncovering marker tiles, cables, pipe work etc.
Excavated soil will be transferred out of site immediately.

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 6 of 8

5.4 SUPPORT

5.4.1 The manner of side and structural support may be of the following types:
Sloped back to a safe angle of repose as required by the soil conditions.
Shored by timber or steel support piles/sheets, timbers should be close boarded and braced,
sheet piles should be interlocked.
Provision of trench or drag boxes for trenching activities which are pulled along as the work
progresses.

5.5 COMPLETION

5.5.1 The completed excavation will be provided with the following:

Means of escape from the excavation will be provided at 8 meter intervals by purpose built
staircases or ladders.
The need for gas tests will be determined and if necessary no work will be carried out unless a
gas test has been done and the permit validated.
Walkways a minimum of 600 mm wide will be placed across trenches where access is required
and shall be fitted with handrails.
Uncovered services and utilities will be adequately supported by propping/slinging or any other
method identified as appropriate.

5.6 GENERAL CONSIDERATION

5.6.1 The following general considerations will be applied for the purpose of this procedure:
1) Dewatering equipment shall be sited in locations that avoid creating trip hazards.
2) Electric pumps used for dewatering shall be covered by the temporary electric procedure and shall only be
worked on by authorized persons.
3) Where numerous electric dewatering pumps are in use, a numbering systems shall be employed that
identifies the panel and distribution points.
4) Excavations shall be checked daily or before use by a competent person employed by the Subcontractor
who is experienced in recognizing signs of subsidence or other evidence of potential failure of the support
system.
5) Following any sudden rainfalls or other environmental conditions that may affect the integrity of the
excavation.
6) Subcontractor shall keep a register of all excavations with details and records of checks made including
date of back filling and any other pertinent points related to the history of the excavation. These records will
be kept in the office of the Subcontractor controlling the work.
7) Adequate lighting will be provided for any work scheduled during the hours of darkness. Consideration
shall include glare factors, working in shadow and sufficient illumination to cover the area worked.

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 7 of 8

5.7 BACKFILL

5.7.1 Back fill operation shall be carried out in accordance with the following
guidelines:
1 Backstops will be provided for vehicle dumping material to prevent them
over running the edge.
2 Consideration will be given to the specification for compaction qualities need
for tile markers and tiles and other protection measures necessary for the
protection of equipment.
3 Redundant spoil not backfilled will be removed to an area identified in
advance.
4 A safe system of work will be identified and implemented for the removal of
timber supports, steel sheeting and piles. Consideration will include provision
of lifting appliances suitable to take the load of embedded sheet piles
without damage.
5 The contractor superintendent will ensure that new facilities are clearly
reflected in the as-built drawings.

5.8 SAFE PRACTICES REMINDER

Before work starts.

All excavation work must be planned.
Before digging begins on site, check that arrangements have been made to
1) Locate underground services - check with all utility companies, look for indicator posts, use cable and pipe
detectors.
2) Establish ground conditions and design an adequate support system.
3) Consider the interaction of proposed excavations and existing structures
will the excavation de-stabilize existing structures?
do the existing structures have adequate foundations?
has the ground already been disturbed?
4) Provide edge protection for all excavations, use projecting trench sheets or other solid barriers where possible. If a person
could fall more than 2 m, suitable barriers must be provided.
5) Ensure the person directly supervising the work is fully experienced and competent in the support of excavations.
6) Obtain the necessary drawings or sketches.
7) Brief and instruct operatives.

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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 SOUTH PARS GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT
(EPC 1 PHASE 12)

NASR CONSORTIUM Petropars LTD POGC

Pars Oil Gas Company

Doc.No.SP12-HS-PP-999-011-D0 ONSHORE FACILITIES PAGE 8 of 8

8) Provide site security, particularly in relation to preventing children getting on to the site.
9) Establish adequate working space for plant and for spoil heaps (spoil heaps and materials should transfer out of
the site immediately
10) Construct bridges or gangways as required.
11) Provide sufficient ladders secured against movement.
12) Assess need for lighting.
13) Issue appropriate protective clothing and equipment.

5.8.2 During the work

1) The excavation and its supports must be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift, to address the
following questions:
Is access to and from the work face sufficient and secure?
Are all working faces secure wedges tight and support material free from damage?
Is there any sign of movement or deflection in the support system? Is the soil condition as predicted? If
not, what action should be taken?
Are spoil heaps an adequate distance back from the trench edge?
Are pipes, bricks and other material, plant etc., well clear of the edge so that there is no risk of them
falling into the trench or of vibration causing danger to the support?
Is the method statement being properly followed in installing the support? (This is particularly important
in relation to the spacing of walling and struts)
Are regular tests for gases or fumes being carried out? Is ventilation required? Have risks of flooding
been properly assessed?
Where pumping is necessary, is a proper watch being kept to make sure that fine material is not being
drawn out from behind the support system?
Is resuscitation equipment available and a nominated person trained to use it?
Have all persons been instructed in evacuation procedures and the correct rescue procedure to follow if
someone is overcome by gases or fumes in the trench?
Are operatives wearing safety helmets? Is any other protective equipment needed?
Is the work adequately protected and marked during the day? Is it fenced, or covered, and lit at night?
Are watchmen needed?
Have access bridges for plant and vehicles crossing the excavation been designed by competent
persons?
Where backfilling is required, are vehicle stop blocks in position?

South Pars Gas Field Development Phase 12

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