Ground disturbance occurs whenever workers perform an operation that disturbs the earth. Such activities present several unique risks, including cave-ins, contact with underground facilities, electrocution, and more.
What is ground disturbance Ontario?
Pipeline strikes from excavation activities (also called “ground disturbance” activities) are one of the most common types of pipeline safety incidents reported to TSSA every year with about 2650 incidents reported to TSSA every year.
When ground disturbance occurs within the pipeline right of way approval must be obtained from?
Written approval from the licensee must be obtained before conducting a ground disturbance in the pipeline ROW or within 5 m of the pipeline if there is no ROW. If the pipeline licensee does not respond, see the Unresponsive Pipeline Licensee section for how to proceed.
What is the name of the area where a ground disturbance crew is allowed to dig?
The Search Area is the area within 30 metres of where a ground disturbance will take place and is defined as: All known pipelines and utilities that pass within 30 metres of the work area.
What is the distance that no mechanical excavation is permitted near an underground facility without the direct supervision of the owner of the facility?
Mechanical Excavation <5 m >1 m from underground facility If mechanical excavation is required within 5 meters of an underground facility, but not closer than 1-meter (3 meters for NEB-regulated lines) daylighting of the facility is required and: • Work must be completed under the direct supervision of a CPC Ground
What are ground disturbing activities?
Ground disturbing means any changing of land which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters, including, but not limited to, clearing, grading, excavating, drilling, and transporting and filling of land.
What best defines a ground disturbance?
Ground disturbance hazards are any underground obstruction, including infrastructure, pipelines, or chemicals (such as gas) that could be disturbed or released by digging into the ground. When these hazards are exposed, they can result in severe injuries, financial loss, or other traumatic events.
Which of the following activities is not considered ground disturbance?
Specific activities that are not considered ground disturbance include ground penetration less than the depth required by local state or province One-Call requirements, driving non-metallic lathe or stakes less than 30 cm/12 inches, hand digging less than 15 cm/6 inches to bury cords or lines, using drag equipment to
At what depth is it considered to be ground disturbance?
Any act of disturbing the ground deeper than 300 mm (12″) is deemed a ground disturbance, where there’s a risk of hitting underground facilities.
What depth qualifies as a ground disturbance ‘?
In the CER Act, ground disturbance is specifically any activity within the prescribed area that involves any of the following: agricultural cultivation to depths of 45 cm (18 in) or deeper below the surface of the ground.
Who is responsible for undertaking ground disturbances?
Step 5: Ground Disturbance After all the research, notification and field location of buried facilities has been conducted with an appropriate level of due diligence, ground disturbance can begin. The Ground Disturbance Supervisor must oversee all ground disturbance/ penetrations.
How deep can you dig without shoring?
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
How close to lines can you dig?
Keep your trenches or holes at least 18 inches away from 811 markings. The tools used to locate underground wires are not always precise, and 811 guidelines say that holes or trenches should be kept at least 18 inches away from either side of marked lines.
What is the four foot rule for excavation?
OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.
Under what conditions may an excavation not require a protective system?
Trench safety measures
Trenches five feet deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If the trench is fewer than five feet deep, a competent person may determine a protective system is not required.
What is the minimum distance excavated materials?
Excavated Material:
The material must never be closer than one metre (three feet) from the edge of the excavation, and should be placed as far away as possible so it does not affect the structural stability of the walls.
What does a ground disturbance checklist focus on?
Perform a hazard and risk assessment.
Identify hazards associated with specific underground facilities. Determine level of risk associated with the hazard. Determine controls and barriers to eliminate or reduce the risk. Develop emergency response plan.
What are examples of underground hazards?
The Top 5 Ground Disturbance Hazards
- Hazard: Contacting buried facilities. The infrastructure under our feet is vast and safely buried from sight.
- Trench or excavation instability.
- Environmental hazards (heat, cold, weather)
- Hand exposing buried facilities.
- Stray electrical currents.
How much notice should be given in advance of a proposed ground disturbance?
The locate request must be made at least three working days before the day on which the construction of the facility or the activity causing a ground disturbance is planned to start.
How far do you expose beneath a facility?
1 m
The hand expose zone is a distance 1 m on either side of the locate marks. Once you’ve successfully hand exposed the buried facilities and they’re clearly visible, you can now use mechanical equipment.
What is the biggest hazard at a ground disturbance?
The risk of cave-ins is one of the most serious hazards of ground disturbance. An unstable trench or excavation can collapse, crushing or suffocating trapped workers. A worker buried under one metre of soil has so much pressure on the chest that the lungs can’t breathe in and out.