Western Power Safe Work Method Statement

Task details
Description Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling
DM 10696991 Approved by Work Practices Manager
Review team SWMS Development Approval date May 2013
Qualifications/Licences required Valid Western Power Authorisations for the Task/ Network Authority Card (correct level of authorisation)
Permits required Vicinity Authority (VA) if required
Which Safety LifeSavers are required for this task?







Potential hazards associated with the task
Category Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard
1. Working at heights
Ladders
Lifting equipment, scissors / EWP
Scaffolding
Stairs / platforms
Working at height
Working above others
Multiple work requiring EWPs
5. Pressure
Competitive pressures
Compressed gases / air
Fluid
High pressure steam
Hydraulic
Water
2. Working with electricity
Static electricity / induction
Substations / switch rooms
Underground cables
Contact with electrical equipment
Electrical cables
High voltage equipment
Overhead lines
Non-compliant earths, e.g. tagged / tested

6. Human factors
Rushing
Complacency
Fatigue
Unclear work direction
Stress / anxiety / frustration
Lack of knowledge
Poor communications
Negative attitudes
3. Radiation
Infra-red
Microwaves
Ultra-violet light, i.e. sun
X-ray
Laser
7. Using mobile plant
Traffic / pedestrian interaction / collision
Uneven terrain
Unlicensed / untrained operators
Vehicle instability
Vehicle access
10. Workplace
Asbestos
Confined space / void space
Falling objects
General access
Housekeeping
Illumination / lighting
Noise, i.e. exposure / nuisance
Poor ventilation
Protrusions
Restricted visibility
Restricted work area
Slip and trip hazards
Unauthorised personnel
Unlabelled controls
Vibration
Wet / slippery
Wind / storm activity
Fog / mist / smoke
Working in isolation
Dust / particulates
8. Manual handling
(ergonomic)
Awkward / unbalanced load
High / low reach
High force / heavy loads
Lighting
Over exertion / fatigue
Poor design / layout / surface
Repetitive movements

11. Chemical
Chemicals / reagents
Fumes / vapour / mist, e.g. SF6
Flammable gases
Handling flammable materials
Hazardous chemical exposure
Solid chemical
Splashes / burns
Spills to ground or work area
4. Mechanical
Abrasive blasting / grinding
Auto-start equipment
Conveyors
Equipment failure
Hand and power tool
Impact and crushing areas
Pinch / cutting points
Residual / stored energy
Uncontrolled movement
Unguarded moving parts
Welding or cutting
Crimping / connecting
9. Environment
Air contamination
Soil contamination
Storm water contamination
Waste, e.g. effluent / hazardous
Solid waste
12. Thermal
Cold ambient temperature
Heat ambient temperature
Hot materials / fluids
Hot surfaces
UV exposure
Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling page 1 of 5
Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling page 2 of 5

Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence
Hazards
for each task step
Initial
Risk
Rating
Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury
Controlled
Risk
Rating
References
Plan and prepare
Pre-plan
Determine staff requirements
Staff skilled, trained and
competent

Plan and discuss route plans,
access and equipment needs
Locate any underground
utilities
Notify SOCC / NOCC if
Vicinity Authority (VA) is
required
Consumer / land owner
notification (if required)

Weather conditions / fire alerts
at work place

PPE requirements inspection
and testing


Inspect / check tools, material
plant and equipment


Manual handling
Vehicles and plant




Driving to work place


Notify Main Roads and local
council (if traffic management
required)

Unfit for work: shock, burns, injury, harm
Fatigue: injury, harm
Lack of skills or knowledge: shock, burns, injury

Site hazards slip, trip, fall, dusts: Injury, harm
Contact with live cables / lines: shock, burns,
injury
Induced voltages from overhead lines: shock,
burns
Contact with underground utilities: shock, burns


Working / driving in high fire risk areas: injury
Adverse weather lightning, wind, UV: injury
Bush and grass fires: burns, harm

Expired / damaged PPE: shock, injury, harm
Inappropriate PPE / PPC: shock, injury, harm

Damaged or faulty tools and equipment: injury
Out of test date tools and equipment: injury
Unauthorised tools and equipment: shock,
injury

Manual handling / heavy objects: strain, sprain
Unroadworthy or incorrectly set up vehicles
and plant: injury
Inadequately secured tools and equipment:
injury
Climbing / loading vehicles: strain, sprain, injury
Travelling from site to site: fatigue, injury
Weather and road conditions: injury
Vehicles, animals and pedestrians: injury
Accident / breakdown: injury, harm
Vehicles, pedestrians, unauthorised access:
injury


















M



Confirm staff are fit for work
Comply with fatigue, drug and alcohol policies
Ensure staff are trained and have appropriate skills /
competencies
Confirm staff have valid Network Access Card (NAC) and
permit accreditation (if required)
Locate underground utilities contact Dial Before You Dig
(if required)
Communicate with System Operations Control Centre
(SOCC) for a Vicinity Authority (VA) if required

Check with SOCC / NOCC and local shire for weather
conditions / fire alerts
Avoid working during rain, lightning or high wind conditions
Carry approved fire fighting equipment / staff trained
Confirm staff have required safety clothing and equipment
Ensure that gloves, hats, tools and equipment are within
functional date cycle (if required)
Check that tools and equipment have been tested and
tagged (where required)
Confirm tools and equipment comply with WP standards

Use two-person lift techniques or mechanical aids to shift /
lift heavy objects
Inspect / check vehicles and plant for road worthiness
Ensure vehicles are correctly loaded and load secured
Maintain 3 points of contact when climbing

Share the driving (where possible) to avoid fatigue
Drive to suit road and weather conditions
Notify formal leader / office of daily work plan
Carry an emergency beacon or satellite phone if travelling
out of mobile phone / radio range
Engage an accredited traffic management company
Confirm site security and access requirements
Plan to access workplaces in congested areas when
vehicle or pedestrian traffic is at a minimum


















L


Electrical System
Safety Rules
(ESSR) sections:
3.9, 3.10, 5.1, 5.7,
6, 7.2, 7.3

Work Practice
Manual (WPM)
sections: 2.12,
2.16, 2.21, 3, 5.10,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.10

Safety Life Savers

Fitness For Work
Standard

Main Roads Traffic
Management for
Works on Roads
Code of Practice







Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling page 3 of 5
Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence
Hazards
for each task step
Initial
Risk
Rating
Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury
Controlled
Risk
Rating
References
Implement a traffic management
plan (if required)
Control unauthorised access to
the workplace
Control vehicle movements
around the workplace


Vehicle and equipment movement: injury
Unprotected workplace: injury
Unauthorised access: public risk, injury



H


Maintain control of work place access at all times




L
Main Roads Traffic
Management for
Works on Roads
Code of Practice

WPM section:
2.21
Workplace set up
Correct location / apparatus
Advise landowner / consumers
(if required)
Review site plans and
drawings (if required)
Confirm location of all utilities
Complete risk assessment
include all staff
Appoint a safety observer
Site conditions / fire alerts
Emergency procedures in
place
Communicate with SOCC /
NOCC and Issuing Officer for
VA (if required)
Vehicles earthed (if required)
Daily checks and log books
Cable laying / trenching /
drilling equipment set up
Confirm cable depths (if
required)
Identify soil types and
conditions
Attach 'strike alert' lead (if
required)
Check equipment

Unclear instructions, job location and
communications: shock, injury, harm
Failure to locate underground utilities: shock,
injury, harm
Obstacles slip, trip and fall: injury
Incorrect manual handling: strain, sprain, injury
Insects, vermin, reptiles, animals: bites, stings
Weather rain, sun, wind, lightning: injury,
harm
Fires: burns, injury
No clear access / egress plan: injury, harm
Vehicle, plant or equipment movement: injury
Failure of load bearing surfaces: injury
Cave in or collapse of excavation / trench:
injury
Flooding of trench: injury
Contaminated soil: harm
Contact with live overhead apparatus: shock,
burns, injury
Failure to obtain permit: shock, injury, harm
Noise: harm
Hydraulic pressure: injury, harm
Flammable fuel / fires: burns, injury, harm
Unauthorised public access to workplace: injury













M

Confirm correct location and maps / plans are up to date
Communicate with land owner to determine safe entry
requirements (if required)
Confirm the location of all utilities in the workplace
Conduct a risk assessment, include adjacent structures and
apparatus
Appoint a safety observer trained in emergency procedures
Confirm safe workplace access and egress
Avoid working outdoors during extremes of weather
Ensure an emergency plan is in place and understood
Ensure fire fighting equipment is at the workplace
Ensure SOCC / NOCC are aware of the work to be done
Earth vehicles and plant (as required)
Use stabilisers, pads, wheel chocks (if required)
Inspect the condition of plant, tools and equipment
Apply correct manual handling techniques, use mechanical
aids where practicable
Drink sufficient fluids to stay hydrated
Obtain permit and ensure staff are aware of its conditions
Confirm staff are aware of the hazards from mechanical /
hydraulic equipment
Ensure correct procedures for storing, handling and using
flammable fuel are followed
Ensure no unauthorised work place access













L


ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10, 5.7,
6, 7.2, 7.3

WPM sections:
2.1, 2.2, 2.8, 2.10,
2.16, 2.21, 2.26, 3,
5.10, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
7.10

Safety Life Savers








Isolation and permits (VA if
required)
Inspect / confirm apparatus to
be worked on / near
Confirm location of all utilities
in the vicinity of work place


Failure of work team to clearly understand the
conditions of the VA and the work boundaries:
shock, injury, harm
Failure to confirm the location of all utilities:
shock, injury, harm



M




Maintain contact with SOCC / NOCC / issuing officer
Use maps, plans and test equipment to locate cables and
other utilities (if required)
Ensure all staff understand the conditions of the VA and are
aware of the boundaries of the working area



L



ESSR sections:
7.2, 7.3

Safety Life Savers
Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling page 4 of 5
Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence
Hazards
for each task step
Initial
Risk
Rating
Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury
Controlled
Risk
Rating
References
Communicate with SOCC or
NOCC and Issuing Officer for
VA
Confirm status of apparatus in
vicinity of work place
Work team briefed on
conditions and boundaries of
the permit
VA issued
Work team sign onto permit
Contact with live cables / overhead apparatus:
shock, burns, injury
Contact with gas line: injury, burns, harm





M
Ensure that all staff have signed on to the VA





L
Carry out the job
Excavation, trenching, drilling
Advise SOCC / NOCC (if
required)
Confirm cable depths (if
required)
Avoid any underground utilities
Awareness of overhead lines
Confirm soil type and
conditions
Carry out excavation, trenching
or horizontal drilling work as
required
Inspect work for compliance
Connect / test work (if
required)




Failure to identify / contact with underground
utilities: shock, burns, injury, harm
Contact with live overhead apparatus: shock,
burns
Slip, trip, fall, obstacles: injury
Manual handling / use of tools: strain, sprain,
injury
Vehicle, plant, equipment movement: injury
Equipment or tool failure: injury
Moving machinery (pulleys, winches): pinch,
crush, injury
Failure of load bearing surfaces / ground: injury
Cave in or collapse of excavation / trench:
injury
Flooding of trench: injury
Working in the vicinity of gas main: injury, harm
Noise: harm
Hydraulic pressure: injury, harm
Contaminated soil / hazardous substances:
harm











H










Confirm staff understand what they are to do and how to do
it
Check that the appointed safety observer knows their role
Use maps, plans, and test equipment to confirm location of
cables and other utilities (if required)
Dig potholes to locate underground utilities (if required)
Identify and alert staff of suspected contaminated soil and
hazardous substances (if required)
Have the appropriate MSDS and / or risk assessment data
Confirm that spill kits and acid soil neutralising material is
onsite and staff know how and when to use them
Conduct all excavation work in accordance with approved
methods
Confirm strike alert lead is attached (if required)
Use approved tools and equipment
Earth vehicles (if required)
Maintain Minimum Approach Distances (MAD) to all utilities
Apply correct manual handling techniques. Use mechanical
aids where possible.
Continually review potential hazards and control methods












L

ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10, 5.7,
6, 7.2, 7.3

WPM sections:
2.2, 2.8, 2.16, 3,
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
7.5, 7.10

Occupational
Safety and Health
Regulations (1996)
Subdivision 6
Excavations and
Earthworks

WorkSafe Code of
Practice
Excavation (2005)

PTS 703 Safe
Excavations near
WP Assets

Safety Life Savers
Complete the task
Completion of task
Confirm work is completed
Communicate with Issuing
Officer (if VA used)

Vehicle and equipment movement: injury
Uneven / slippery surfaces / obstacles: injury
Incorrect manual handling techniques: strain,
sprain, injury


H



Conduct final task and workplace inspections and tests
Contact SOCC / NOCC / Issuing Officer (if required)
All recipients understand that work is completed and to sign
off the VA (if used)


L



ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10, 5.7,
6, 7.2, 7.3

Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Excavation / Trenching and Horizontal Directional Drilling page 5 of 5
Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence
Hazards
for each task step
Initial
Risk
Rating
Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury
Controlled
Risk
Rating
References
Sign off VA (if used)
Communicate with consumer /
land owner (if required)
Clean, inspect and stow tools
and equipment
Reinstate site
Remove waste material /
contaminated soil
Conduct debrief
Close off risk assessment
include all staff
Update records / documents
Unsecured loads: injury
Contaminated soil / hazardous substances:
harm
Failure to conduct debrief: missed hazards and
improvement opportunities





H
Continue to use safety observer until workplace is vacated
Use correct manual handling techniques, use mechanical
aids where possible
Maintain safe clearances from all utilities
Reinstate site remove any hazardous material
Secure any holes or hazards from unauthorised access
Correctly dispose of waste material / contaminated soil
Secure all material and equipment for transport
Involve all staff in debrief. Document suggestions.
Sign off the risk assessment and discuss any issues with
the team





L

WPM sections:
2.2, 2.8, 2.16, 3,
11.5, 11.10

Safety Life Savers
Relinquish traffic management
(if used)


Vehicle and equipment movement
Unprotected workplace: public risk of injury
Unauthorised access


M

Maintain traffic management until all personnel and
equipment have left site
Remove all signs and barriers to restore traffic flow


L


WPM section:
2.21