Instruction F4.

Site Excavation Control

1.0

PURPOSE
This instruction establishes requirements for control of site excavation activities.

2.0

SCOPE
This instruction is applicable to all construction projects under the administrative control of
Bechtel Construction Operations Incorporated.

3.0

DEFINITIONS
None

4.0

REFERENCES
None

5.0

RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1

Project Field Engineer (PFE)

The Project Field Engineer is responsible for developing the project specific excavation
control procedure based on the hazards and requirements applicable to the project.

5.2

Site Manager
The Site Manager is responsible for approving and implementing the project site
excavation control procedure.

6.0

REQUIREMENTS

6.1

Each project shall establish a site excavation control program. Special excavation controls
that the project may encounter include:
a. Known underground lines and utilities
b. Unknown underground hazards such as unmapped underground lines and utilities
c. Hazardous materials such as lead that may be contained in the soil
d. Subsurface hazards such as methane gas that may be present in the excavation area
e. Archeological items that may be present in the excavation area

6.2

All non-manual and craft personnel involved with excavation and backfill activities shall be
trained on the requirements of the project site excavation control procedure. They must
understand who is responsible for each activity. Training objectives should include:
a. Excavation Permit Procedure

b. Layout Responsibility

1997 Bechtel Corp.

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Instruction F4.7

Site Excavation Control

c. Shoring Requirements
d. Dewatering
e. Responses to Hazardous Materials
f.

Spoils Disposal Requirements

g. Compaction Requirements
h. Excavation Access/Egress Requirements
i.

Safety Standby or "Spotter" Requirements

j.

As-built Requirements

6.3

Excavation Permits

6.3.1

Excavation permitting provides one method of ensuring a systematic review of all aspects
of the proposed excavation by all parties to be involved. It also serves as a
communication tool and documentation of the reviews conducted. A sample Site
Excavation Permit form is shown in Exhibit F4.7-1 and is available on the BecWeb.

6.3.2

Excavation permits must:

a. List all applicable drawings
b. Show specific excavation locations on drawings
c. Identify all known interferences
d. Identify all necessary precautions and hold points
e. List signatures for each discipline

6.3.3

The permit initiator must coordinate with all other disciplines on the project and obtain their
review and signatures. The permit must not be approved until all reviews are complete.

6.3.4

The responsible craft supervisor must have an approved permit at the work location before
work is started.

6.4

Layout

6.4.1

The responsible Field Engineer must review appropriate CAD files and drawings to locate
existing conditions in the vicinity of the proposed excavation. The Field Engineer must
then determine if the proposed excavation will result in any interferences. Particular care
should be exercised when looking for existing underground utilities, grounding, and
footings. The impact on subsequent new construction in the area should also be
considered.

6.4.2

The excavation limits and/or position of the facilities should be laid out by painting lines or
by setting batter boards, centerlines, or reference stakes. Elevation benchmarks and/or
cut-fill distances should be provided.

6.4.3

The craft supervisor should review the layout and consider its impact on adjacent facilities,
traffic, and other ongoing work.

6.5

If the excavation is of sufficient depth or will endanger adjacent facilities, a shoring plan
must be developed and materials brought to the site before excavation begins.

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Site Excavation Control

Instruction F4.7

6.6

If the excavation is expected to encounter water either through ground water, leaking
pipes, stormwater or other sources, a dewatering system must be provided. The type of
pumps, well point system, availability of power, quality of water, and water discharge
location must be considered. The use of a gravel base, with or without geotextile fabric or
concrete mudmat, may require additional excavation depth.

6.7

If hazardous or unknown materials are encountered, the work shall stop until the site
Safety Representative or other qualified individual can identify and ensure it is safe to
continue working. If required, the Safety Representative shall specify the means of safe
disposal for any hazardous material.

6.8

Some areas may contain unexpected items of archeological interest. If such items are
encountered, all work should be suspended until its significance can be evaluated.

6.9

Materials coming out of an excavation may vary widely even in the same hole. Some
excavated materials may be suitable for reuse as backfill, while others may be unsuitable
or even hazardous. The responsible Field Engineer and Safety Representative should
evaluate the encountered materials and ensure that excavated materials are properly
classified and handled. Mixing good material with poor or hazardous materials may only
increase the volume (and cost) of disposal.

6.10

Upon reaching the bottom elevation, the responsible Field Engineer should evaluate the
condition of the grade. Loose materials should be compacted and if unsuitable peat or
other soft material is encountered, addition excavation and replacement with suitable
materials provided.

6.11

All excavations must have suitable means of access and egress. This may in the form of
ramps and/or ladders spaced appropriately for the safety and efficiency of material and
worker movements.

6.11.1 For excavations that have the potential for encountering unknown underground hazards, a
safety standby or spotter shall be assigned to the excavation. The standby shall be
instructed to signal for assistance if an underground hazard is encountered.
6.12

Any changes from the construction drawings should be surveyed for both location and
elevation prior to covering with backfill or ongoing construction. As-built information should
be documented per project requirements.

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Instruction F4.7

Site Excavation Control

SAMPLE EXCAVATION PERMIT

EXHIBIT F4.7-1

SITE EXCAVATION PERMIT

REQUEST NUMBER:
PROJECT NUMBER:

DATE:
PROJECT NAME:

NAME OF REQUESTER:

DISCIPLINE:

REQUIRED COMPLETION DATE:

REFERENCE DOCUMENT NO.

REV. NO.

REMARKS

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF EXCAVATION REQUESTED:

PRECAUTIONS/HOLD POINTS:

EXCAVATION STANDBY/SPOTTER REQUIRED:

YES

NO

NAME

DATE

PRE-EXCAVATION DISCIPLINE REVIEW:

ELECTRICAL
PIPING
CIVIL
SAFETY
OTHER
OTHER
POST-EXCAVATION SIGN-OFFS:
EXCAVATION COMPLETE (1)
EXCAVATION CLOSED
(1) DOCUMENT MATERIALS OR COMPONENTS ENCOUNTERED DURING EXCAVATION:

PERMIT CLOSED BY:

DATE:

FORM T_EXCAV.DOC 1997:REV.1

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