Page 431 - Trenchless Technology Piping Installation and Inspection

Planning and Safety Considerations for Trenchless Installation Methods 381

required to perform extensive geotechnical investigations. The infor-
mation provided by these investigations will help contractors to
select proper equipment and tools to safely carry out trenchless
operations.

9.3.1 Project Safety Planning
A partial checklist for safety planning of a trenchless project may
include:

• Proper safety training: An effective training program can
reduce the number of injuries and deaths, property damages,
legal liabilities, workers’ compensation claims, and missed
time from work.
• Appropriate work clothing (personal protection equipment): Loose
clothing never should be worn and allowed around machin-
ery equipment.
• Safe machine and tool operations: It is important that equipment
operators be qualified and certified for their tasks, and care-
fully follow equipment manufacturers’ machine operations
and safety guidelines. The employer (contractor) must ensure
that operators and other workers have demonstrated profi-
ciency in their duties, particularly safety issues. Primary per-
sonnel must have proper training, including classroom and
field experience. Industry-based training and/or certification
courses are available from equipment manufacturers, as well
as professional organizations.
• Safe handling of drilling and lubrication fluids: While drilling flu-
ids are usually considered to be environmentally safe, they
are usually under high pressure and may potentially mix
with contaminated soils. Workers must be trained in safe
handling of these fluids.
• Safe crossing and/or parallel installation with existing utilities:
Contractors must ensure that proposed alignment and profile
of the boring/tunneling operation keeps a safe distance from
existing utilities and carefully follows the planned alignment/
profile during installation.
• Safe repair of damaged utilities: Usually the existing pipeline
and utility operator must be contacted immediately and a call
to an emergency phone number (911 for the United States)
should be made.
• Safe disposal of drilling fluids: The bentonite or polymer mate-
rial used must be certified by the National Sanitation Foun-
dation (NSF). The additive materials should be chemically
inert, biodegradable, and nontoxic. Petroleum-based or