SAFETY FACT SHEETS. Working near underground services Safety Non Negotiable. G-HS-ST Working near underground services. G-HS-FS Version:1

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1 SAFETY FACT SHEETS Working near underground services Safety Non Negotiable G-HS-ST Working near underground services

2 Safety Non-Negotiables (SNN) Zinfra Group is committed to providing a safe workplace in line with our number one company value Health, Safety and the Environment. To bring this value to life, our strategy is to directly manage critical hazards through Safety Non- Negotiables (SNN s) and systematically manage other safety risks. All employees and vendors (whether suppliers, subcontractors or consultants) need to consistently apply the relevant controls stipulated on these SNN s across all Zinfra Group controlled sites. Any deviation from these SNN s will require a documented risk assessment with approval of the direct manager and HSEQ manager.

3 Definition Working near underground services Work conducted in the vicinity of potential services (e.g. electricity, water, gas and telecommunications) installed below ground.

4 Working near underground services - examples Work that may involve work near underground services includes: Installation, repair or maintenance of underground services Building / structure foundations Excavating ground materials Boring and directional drilling

5 Item 1: Must have and follow the Safe Work Method Statement Do you understand the hazards and risks with the work? The most significant risk of working near underground services is a Fatality. This may occur by: Electrocution Fire Explosion Injection/pressure What Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) are relevant? Are all the controls in the SWMS in place? Is there anything unsafe that should be raised with your supervisor?

6 Item 2 : Follow all issued permit conditions and asset owner requirements Each asset owner may have different requirements when excavating near their underground services, therefore this information must be obtained and all requirements or permit conditions (if issued) followed. An excavation permit must be used when excavating deeper than 300mm. All required information such as technical specifications; drawings etc. must be attached with the Permit and available on site.

7 Item 3 : Only start work with asset owner/dial Before You Dig plans Prior to excavating, the depth and location of existing known services must be identified. Asset owners who are not members of the Dial Before You Dig service should be contacted directly, this may include private asset owners. Asset owners may also need to be contacted if a site survey indicates that there may be additional services not indicated on the Dial Before You Dig plans. All information gathered regarding the location of services must be provided to the site operator and the spotter.

8 Item 4: Use a trained spotter A trained spotter must be used when operating plant near underground services. The spotter should: Have all service location information. Assist with visually locating underground or covered services; Warn of any other unsafe conditions; Be positioned at a suitable location to effectively observe the work; Be able to immediately and effectively communicate with the operator; Not observe more than one work activity at a time; Have the authority to suspend the work at any time.

9 Item 5: Carry out a site survey to locate and mark the services Prior to any excavation work, any Dial Before You Dig plans must be confirmed as accurate and services marked out on site. A walk around the site along the length of the proposed excavation/trench and around nearby corners should be conducted to check service location and potentially idenfity additional services not located on the Dial Before You Dig/asset owner plans. Once identified using these devices, care should be taken to mark the location of the underground asset on the ground s surface.

10 Item 6: Visually confirm and record the depth and location of services at regular interval using non-destructive digging methods when services are within the excavation area Non-destructive digging methods must be used when services are within the excavation area. Pot-holing at each service crossing and at regular spacing along services should be completed. The amount of pot-holing should be determined as part of the risk assessment for the works e.g. the greater number of services, the shorter the interval of potholing.

11 Item 7: Provide all service location information to the site operator and spotter All information gathered regarding the location of services must be provided to the site operator and the spotter.

12 Item 8: Protect all exposed high risk services with a physical protection when damage may occur When high risk services are exposed, temporary physical barriers or guards must be installed to provide an additional layer of protection. If operating mechanical plant (excavating), using powered hand tools or moving loads in close proximity to a high risk service and there is a risk of damage, the temporary barrier must be placed and secured during that work. High Risk Services include: High pressure gas services, mains and pipelines Low, high and extra high voltage electricity cables

13 Item 9: Follow the approved drilling profile during drilling works For all boring activities, the drilling profile must be determined prior to the works and followed during the bore itself. The approved drilling profile will be part of the construction or design specifications.

14 Item 10: When using mechanical excavation methods maintain a minimum clearance of 300mm from services crossing the excavation The clearance distances for mechanical excavation will depend on the type of service and asset owner requirements. These distances should be obtained prior to the works and the requirements or permit conditions (if issued) followed. Where an underground service crosses or intersects the excavation a minimum clearance of 300 mm must be maintained.

15 Item 11: Seek written approval before proceeding with any changes in the scope of works Any potential changes to the scope of works or the drilling profile must be approved by an authorised person; this may include the design manager, engineer or client.