PR-1002 - Operations Excavation Procedure

Petroleum Development Oman
L.L.C.
Document Title: Excavation Certificate
Document ID PR-1002
Document Type Procedure
Security Unrestricted
Discipline Operations and Engineering
Owner Functional Operations Manager - UOP
Issue Date January 2012
Revision 6.0 (IA0913-01)

Revision: 6.0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective Jan-12
This page was intentionally left blank
Copyright: This document is the property of Petroleum Development Oman, LLC.

Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to others or
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means
(electronic, mechanical, reprographic recording or otherwise) without prior written
consent of the owner.
Page 2 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
Revision: 6.0
i Document Authorisation
Authorised For Issue January 2012

Revision: 6.0
ii Revision History
The following is a brief summary of the 4 most recent revisions to this document.
Details of all revisions prior to these are held on file by the issuing department.
Revision No. Date Author Scope / Remarks
6.0 Jan-12 Robin Norman UOP6/ Full review by Custodian. Main change
Dell Ellbec UOP7 inclusion of Omanatel/Nawras as
External Party
5.0 Aug-10 Robin Norman UOP6 Full review and revalidation. Changed
Custodian to UOP7. Added 3.1.6
Confined Space Entry
4.1 May-09 Robin Norman UOP6 Minor changes to Section 2.3 -
deletion of White Original
4.0 May-07 UEV11 Reformat & General Review
1.0 Dec-98 BOT/5 SI-20 Rewritten on new format, close
out PDOTRACK action item 12.2.3.1B
(Dec. 97)
iii Related Business Processes
Code Business Process (EPBM 4.0)
EP.72 Maintain and Assure Facilities Integrity
iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF)

Documents
The related CMF Documents can be retrieved from the CMF Business Control Portal.
CP-114 Maintenance and Integrity Management CoP

CP-115 Operate Surface Product Flow Assets CoP
PR-1172 Permit to Work System
SP-1279 Specification for Civil & Building Construction Excavation & Earthworks

Revision: 6.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Background..................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Purpose........................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Distribution / Target Audience.......................................................................................... 6
1.4 Changes to the Document............................................................................................... 6
1.5 Step-out Approval............................................................................................................ 6
2 Roles and Responsibilities.................................................................................................... 7
3 Excavation Certificate Process............................................................................................. 9
3.1 Precautions to be Observed when Carrying Out Excavation Work.................................9
3.1.1 Detection of Buried Services......................................................................................9
3.1.2 Mechanical Digging.................................................................................................... 9
3.1.3 Heavy Machinery Excavation.....................................................................................9
3.1.4 Rock Breaking.......................................................................................................... 10
3.1.5 Vehicle Movements.................................................................................................. 10
3.1.6 Confined Space Entry...............................................................................................10
3.1.7 Shoring Excavations................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Excavation Certificate................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Excavation Certificate Process......................................................................................11
Appendix 1 Excavation Certificate..........................................................................................14
Appendix 2 Abbreviations........................................................................................................ 16
Appendix 3 - User Feedback Page............................................................................................ 17
Interim Ammendment IA0613-01...............................................................................................18
Interim Ammendment IA0913-01............................................................................................... 19

Revision: 6.0
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
In compliance with the Permit to Work system requirements excavation and earth work
undertaken in a process and hydrocarbon area shall only be permitted on completion
and approval of an Excavation Certificate.
NOTE: Excavation work on a green field site where it can be demonstrated that
underground services are not present may not require an Excavation Certificate to be
completed. However this should be Risk Assessed. The Risk Assessment may identify
additional controls that require to be put in place.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide a consistent method for undertaking
excavation and earth works where underground services are or maybe present i.e.
within process and hydrocarbon areas, to ensure compliance to the PTW system
requirements and safeguard asset integrity and personnel safety.
1.3 Distribution / Target Audience

This procedure shall be referenced by the Responsible Supervisors, Area Authorities,
Permit Applicants, Permit Holders and Contract personnel undertaking excavation and
earth moving works.
1.4 Changes to the Document

Responsibility for the upkeep of the Document shall be with the Functional Production
Manager UOP, the Owner. Changes to this document shall only be authorised and
approved by the Owner.
Users of the Document who identify inaccuracy or ambiguity can notify the Custodian
or his/her delegate and request changes be initiated. The Requests shall be forwarded
to the Custodian using the User Feedback Page provided in this Document.
The Document Owner and the Document Custodian should ensure review and re-
verification of this procedure every 3 years.
1.5 Step-out Approval

This procedure is mandatory and shall be complied with at all times. Should
compliance with the procedure be considered inappropriate or the intended activity
cannot be effectively completed or safely performed, then step out authorisation and
approval must be obtained in accordance with PR-1001e Operations Procedure
Temporary Variance, prior to any changes or activities associated with the procedure
being carried out.
.

Revision: 6.0
2 Roles and Responsibilities

Role Responsibility
Production Coordinator Accountable for all works undertaken within his / her area
of control
Knowledge of the Procedure

Responsible Supervisor / Knowledge of the Procedure
Production Supervisor
Review and ensure that the Excavation Certificate details
are correct and authorise its application
Inspect work site with Permit Applicant when required to
ensure proposed hazard /precautions are adequately
identified
Ensure As-Built drawings are available and marked up to
identify all buried services
NOTE: This may include drawings for Omantel / Nawras
underground services within the area
Check the Job Safety Plan and Method Statement are
complete for work being undertaken
Area Authority
Knowledge of the Procedure
Validate the PTW and ensure the Excavation Certificate is

correctly completed and attached to the Permit
Ensure that all safety equipment is available
Ensure TRIC talk has been conducted and TRIC card is

completed
Perform and / or check any isolations that are required

prior to works being carried out
Perform frequent audits and safety checks and ensure

PTW system is complied with
Permit Applicant
Complete Excavation Certificate
Ensure As-Built drawings are available for underground

services
NOTE: This may include drawings for Omantel
underground services within the area
Carryout site visit with Responsible Supervisor ensure

proposed hazard /precautions are adequately identified
Prepare Job Safety Plan and Method Statement
Obtain authorisation for the Excavation Certificate.

Permit Holder
Sign for acceptance of the Excavation certificate
Conduct the TRIC talk and complete the TRIC
Ensure that the Job Safety Plan, the method Statement

and TRIC are adhere to during the execution of the work
If the conditions or the risks of the work change reassess

the job and suspend if considered necessary.

Revision: 6.0
Role Responsibility
Department Supervisor(s)
Review Excavation Certificate
Endorse the Excavation Certificate
Cross check (to best knowledge) accuracy of As-Built

drawings for underground services, including those of
other external parties such as Omantel / Nawras
Add comment and / or precautions to be observed when

carrying out the excavation work

Revision: 6.0
3 Excavation Certificate Process
3.1 Precautions to be Observed when Carrying Out Excavation Work
Detection of Buried Services

Cable and metal detection equipment and hand digging (no-metallic piping) shall be
used in conjunction with the As-Built drawings to confirm / locate buried services prior
to any mechanical excavations or when crossing a line.
If As-Built drawings are not available all initial line tracing will be done by hand
excavation and the route clearly indentified.
IMPORTANT: The non-presence of underground pipework should not be assumed even
outside the perimeter fencing. Consideration must also be given to external partes e.g
Omantel / Nawras
Mechanical Digging
For excavation that requires to be carried out by mechanical digging and where the
proposed route is adjacent to existing lines or services, then the closest existing pipe /
service shall be exposed by hand digging every three (3) meters to confirm its
alignment below ground.
NOTE: Hand digging is permitted right up to existing lines, but care should be
exercised when using pick axes.
Heavy Machinery Excavation

Heavy Machinery Excavation shall be defined as those excavations by which the
removal of loose rock and rubble is carried out by remotely operated electric, hydraulic
or pneumatic equipment such as a JCB front end loader with a rear mechanical
excavator or an articulated front end loader used to transfer material from the
excavation to the dumper truck.
Where heavy machinery excavation be required, the proposed site or route shall be
checked by the Permit Holder prior to the commencement of work. The following will
be adhered to;
Heavy machinery excavation work may only carried out up to one (1) meter
either side of live flowlines and shall employ a banksman during all operations.
On no account shall permission be given for such excavation to proceed at a
distance less than one (1) meter from a live line.
If heavy machinery excavation is essential at a distance less than one (1)
meter from an existing live line then it shall be necessary to ensure that the
line is isolated and depressurised prior to the commencement of work. Heavy
machinery excavation work may than proceed to within 0.5 meter of a
depressurised line.
A full documented Risk Assessment shall be completed to support the activity.

Revision: 6.0
Rock Breaking
The breaking of hard rock by means of a rock breaker or hand held pneumatic tool 1
may proceed to within 1 meter of a live line or 0.5 meter of a depressurised line
provided that the tool bit is visible at all times and not allow it to become submerged in
rubble.
WARNING: BLASTING SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED.
Whilst removing rock any soft areas encountered should be checked to confirm that
there is not another services trench crossing the route of the trench being excavated.
Vehicle Movements
All heavy vehicles, such as crane, excavator or dumper truck, must have a banksman
to guide the driver while the vehicle is being manoeuvred within 3 meters of any lines,
services or excavations.
All heavy vehicles must have a banksman to guide the driver while the vehicle is being
reversed anywhere within the plant, construction or excavation area.
Confined Space Entry

All proposed excavations shall be Risk Assessed for the requirement of a Confined
Space Entry Certificate. As a minimum a Confined Space Entry Certificate shall be
required where the excavation is deeper that 1.5m.
Shoring Excavations
The excavation Contractor may carryout the excavation to a maximum depth of 1.2 m
without any shoring protection. If the excavation exceeds this depth then it shall be
undertaken in accordance with SP-1279 - Specification for Civil & Building Construction
Excavation & Earthworks C2.5.6 Shoring Excavations.
3.2 Excavation Certificate

The Excavation Certificate is completed by the Permit Applicant who shall be
responsible for ensuring all signatures are obtained before it is submitted to the
Responsible Supervisor for Authorisation.
The Original shall be attached to the PTW with all As-Built drawings.
NOTE: A copy of the certificate and the As-Built drawings may be retailened if
considered necessary by the Responsible Supervisor.
The Permit Holder shall sign to accept the Excavation Certificate. The Permit Holder
MUST ensure he / she understand completely the nature of the work and all
precautions and requirements to undertake the work before he / she accepts and signs
the certificate.
1
Pneumatic tools may include jack hammers
Revision: 6.0
3.3 Excavation Certificate Process

The following process shall be followed when preparing the excavation certificate.

Revision: 6.0
1. The Permit Applicant shall raise the Excavation Certificate and complete the required
Sections. The numbers of all associated Permits shall be included. As-Built drawings
of the area with regards to systems both underground and above ground shall be
attached to the Excavation Certificate and written details of all underground services
in vicinity of the excavations (Section 3).
NOTE: Excavation work where Heavy Equipment is to be used will require a fully
documented Risk Assessment
The completed Excavation Certificate and As-Built drawings will be submitted to the
Responsible Supervisor for review.
2. The Responsible Supervisor shall review the Excavation Certificate and conduct an
inspection of the site with the Permit Applicant. During the inspection all hazards and
area of importance shall be identified and recorded.
3. Following the site visit and based on the review of the Excavation Certificate the
Responsible Supervisor will nominate the Departments that require to be consulted
with regards to the work. These departments may be one or all of the following;
Telecommunications;
Electrical;
Instrumentation and;
Pipelines.
4. The Permit Applicant shall prepare the Excavation Certificate and all As-Built
drawings, and distribute for review.
NOTE: Excavation work where Heavy Equipment is to be used will require a fully
documented Risk Assessment
5. The nominated departments representatives shall review the Excavation Certificate
and the attached As-Built drawings and supply remarks, conditions and observations
where applicable.
NOTE: Remarks etc, that cannot be incorporated on the Excavation Certificate shall
be clearly marked and attached to the Certificate.
Each department representative that has commented shall sign and date the
certificate (Section 4) before returning to the Production Supervisor.
6. In Section 5 of the Excavation Certificate the Responsible Supervisor will indicate
from the list which precautions require to be observed / implemented to carry out the
work. There is space provided to add precautions not included in the standard list.
Based on the Risk Assessment findings a Confined Space Entry Certificate will / may
be required to be completed.
If a Banksman is required the check box MUST be checked. .
7. The Responsible Supervisor shall discuss the Excavation Certificate with the Permit
Applicant and the Permit Holder to ensure that they understand all recommendation
and requirements before authorising the Excavation Certificate.
When authorising the Excavation Certificate the responsible Supervisor shall add an
expiry date which must not be later that that of the PTW.
8. The Permit Holder shall sign for Acceptance of the Excavation Certificate.
9. The Permit Holder shall nominate a Bankman and ensure that he understands his
roles and responsibilities..
10. The Permit Holder shall hold a TRIC discussion and complete a Toolbox Talk Risk
Identification Card (TRIC).
The Area Authority will have awareness of the work being undertaken and review the
Excavation Certificate to familiarise with the precautions required.

Revision: 6.0
11. The Area Authority shall validate the PTW and ensure that the Excavation Certificate
and As-Built drawings are attached..
12. The excavation work will be carried out in accordance with the Job Safety Plan,
Method Statement and TRIC. The Permit Holder shall oversee the work and ensure
that all precautions stated on the Excavation Certificate are adhered to.
NOTE: If the job changes the TRIC should be revisited.
13. On completion of the excavation work the Area Authority and the Permit Holder shall
inspect that the site is safe and clean.
The PTW shall be closed out and archived. The Excavation Certificate shall be
retained with the archived PTW.

Revision: 6.0
Appendix 1 Excavation Certificate
Move the cursor over the image of the form and use Ctrl Click to open the link to the
Master Form

Revision: 6.0

Revision: 6.0
Appendix 2 Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in this Procedure.
PTW Permit to Work

TRIC Toolbox Talk Risk Identification Card

Revision: 6.0
Appendix 3 - User Feedback Page
PR-1002 Excavation Certificate User Feedback Page
Any user who identifies an inaccuracy, error or ambiguity is requested to notify

the custodian so that appropriate action can be taken. The user is requested
to return this page fully completed, indicating precisely the amendment(s)
recommended.
Name:
Ref ID Date:
Page Ref: Brief Description of Change Required and Reasons
Surface Operations and Integrity Team Leader (Custodian) Date:

Revision: 6.0
Interim Amendment IA0613-01
The following amendment has been requested following the HSE Level 1 Audit to address
ACTION ID: 681011:
Short description: Conduct a comprehensive analysis to ensure that proposed
standards are applicable for major accident.
A specific bullet which can be actioned is:

Excavations without shoring with no evidence of assessments
of soil conditions and was not a requirement in the
excavation procedure (i.e. one excavation observed which
the soil condition was sandy)
Upon investigation, PDO does have a standard which specifies the shoring
requirements (SP-1279). However, this standard is not referenced in PR-1002
Operations Excavation Procedure. Please will you update PR-1002 to include the link
to SP-1279.
To address this request the following has been added to the Procedure.
3.1.7 Shoring Excavations
The excavation Contractor may carryout the excavation to a maximum depth of 1.2 m
without any shoring protection. If the excavation exceeds this depth then it shall be
undertaken in accordance with SP-1279 - Specification for Civil & Building Construction
Excavation & Earthworks C2.5.6 Shoring Excavations.
.

Revision: 6.0
Interim Amendment IA0913-01
An Interim Amendment has been added to PR-1002 and shall be fully incorporated into the
document at the next scheduled review.
The Following minor changes have been made to the procedure.
Section 3.3 Excavation Certificate Process
Added Geomatics to the list of disciplines
Section 3.2
This section has been changed to remove all reference to Yellow and Green copies of the
Excavation Certificate. The Certificate is now stored on LiveLink and can be obtained using the
link in the document.


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Petroleum Development Oman

Document Title: Excavation Certificate

Document Type Procedure

Discipline Operations and Engineering

Owner Functional Operations Manager - UOP

Issue Date January 2012

Revision 6.0 (IA0913-01)

This page was intentionally left blank

Copyright: This document is the property of Petroleum Development Oman, LLC.

Page 2 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Page 3 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

iii Related Business Processes

Code Business Process (EPBM 4.0)

EP.72 Maintain and Assure Facilities Integrity

iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF)

CP-114 Maintenance and Integrity Management CoP

Page 4 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Page 5 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

1.3 Distribution / Target Audience

1.4 Changes to the Document

1.5 Step-out Approval

Page 6 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

2 Roles and Responsibilities

Knowledge of the Procedure

Validate the PTW and ensure the Excavation Certificate is

Ensure that all safety equipment is available

Ensure TRIC talk has been conducted and TRIC card is

Perform and / or check any isolations that are required

Perform frequent audits and safety checks and ensure

Ensure As-Built drawings are available for underground

Carryout site visit with Responsible Supervisor ensure

Prepare Job Safety Plan and Method Statement

Obtain authorisation for the Excavation Certificate.

Conduct the TRIC talk and complete the TRIC

Ensure that the Job Safety Plan, the method Statement

If the conditions or the risks of the work change reassess

Page 7 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Endorse the Excavation Certificate

Cross check (to best knowledge) accuracy of As-Built

Add comment and / or precautions to be observed when

Page 8 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

3 Excavation Certificate Process

3.1 Precautions to be Observed when Carrying Out Excavation Work

Detection of Buried Services

Heavy Machinery Excavation

Page 9 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Confined Space Entry

3.2 Excavation Certificate

3.3 Excavation Certificate Process

Page 11 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Page 12 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Page 13 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Appendix 1 Excavation Certificate

Page 14 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Page 15 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

The following abbreviations are used in this Procedure.

PTW Permit to Work

Page 16 PR-1002 - Excavation Certificate Printed 10/01/12

Appendix 3 - User Feedback Page

PR-1002 Excavation Certificate User Feedback Page

Any user who identifies an inaccuracy, error or ambiguity is requested to notify

Page Ref: Brief Description of Change Required and Reasons

Surface Operations and Integrity Team Leader (Custodian) Date: