CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY

REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN SRI LANKA

MAIN CONTRACT WORKS TO PHASE 3 – FOR Document No.
THE PROPOSED SHANGRI-LA RETAIL & CHEC/SLCB3/
OFFICE DEVELOPMENT ON LOTS 9132/1 & MS-03
9132/2 AT COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Title: Method Statement for Excavation and Pages 17

Revision 0
Earthwork

Method Statement
For
Excavation & Earthwork

0 23-12-2015 For Engineer’s Acceptance Dinesh

Prepared By Reviewed By
Reviewed By Approved By
Rev. Date Status Technical Technical
DPM Project Manager
Engineer Manager

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Table of Content
 
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Location of Works ................................................................................................................. 4

2.0 Scope of Method statement ........................................................................................................ 4

3.0 Documents to be referred with This Method Statement ............................................................. 4

4.0 Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................... 4

5.0 Resources .................................................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Manpower:- ............................................................................................................................. 5

5.2 Machinery, Plants, Equipment & Tools and Materials:- ......................................................... 5

6.0 Safety and Health Requirements ................................................................................................ 5

7.0 Sequence of Excavation .............................................................................................................. 6

7.1 Excavation up to Capping Beam Level................................................................................... 6

7.2 Temporary Work ..................................................................................................................... 7

7.3 Excavation below Capping Beam Level ................................................................................. 9

7.4 Rock Excavation ..................................................................................................................... 9

7.5 Howling & Disposing of Excavated Material ......................................................................... 9

8.0 Quality Control ........................................................................................................................... 9

9.0 Measurement Control ................................................................................................................. 9

10.0 Appendix A – Flow Chart for Excavation & Earth Work ......................................................... 10

11.0 Appendix B - Drawings ............................................................................................................ 11

12.0 Appendix C - Inspection and Test Plan for Excavation and Earth Work .................................. 13

13.0 Appendix D - Risk Assessment ................................................................................................ 14 

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China Harbour Engineering Company
Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this document is to lay down the systematic procedures for the various activities
required for Excavation & Earthwork in Phase 3 – for the proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office
Development on Lots 9132/1 & 9132/2 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

SILT TRAP 

Zone 1

Zone 2

Temporary Access Road

WASHING BAY
Zone 3
Zone 1A 

Figure 01: Phase 3 Excavation Zone Plan and Temporary Access Road Layout

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

1.1 Location of Works

The site is located at Galle Face, Colombo, behind the Bandaranaika statute. The Galle Road
forms the Western boundary. The Army Headquarters premises and Army Hospital building are
located on the adjacent site to the East. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the same project bound to the
North and South boundaries of the Phase 3.

Referring to the Figure 01: Phase 3 Excavation Zone Plan and Temporary Access Road Layout,
submitted with logistic plan for Phase 3, Excavation has divided into Zones. Method statements
for excavation in Zone 1A – Access Ramp area and Zone 3 – Show Flat area shall be provide
separately. This document discuss the excavation work in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas.

2.0 Scope of Method statement

This method statement provides the details of materials, equipment, procedure and relevant
documents related to the Excavation, Earthwork and Dewatering activities, including quality
control & measurement verifications and safety precautions to be implemented at site.
Following sections have considered during the construction. Scope could be slightly changed
due to unforeseen site conditions.

 Soil Excavation
 Rock Excavation
 Hauling & Disposal of excavated material
 Lateral Support for CBP and Secant pile wall
 Dewatering
 Inspection and Test Plan
 HSE precaution on site

3.0 Documents to be referred with This Method Statement

The documents to be referenced are appended as followings:
Project Specifications
Approved shop drawings
Method Statement for Lateral Support
Relevant Standards and Codes of Practice
Project Safety Plan

4.0 Responsibilities
Detailed organizational responsibilities and accountabilities of key personal; Project Manager,
Construction manager, Engineering staff, Supervisory staff, etc…; whose scope of works
defined in ‘Occupational Health & Safety Plan’ shall be responsible for referred construction
activities under this project.

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China Harbour Engineering Company
Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

5.0 Resources
Whole Work would be categorised to specified sub tasks as follows to assign resources
effectively. The capacity/size of the below tools and equipment shall be judged in accordance
with site conditions, requirements, and availability at the time of execution.

5.1 Manpower:-
 Project Manager - 01  Site Engineer - 02
 Technical Manager - 01  Surveyor - 01
 QAQC Manager - 01  Quantity Surveyor - 01
 Safety Manager - 01  Forman - 02
 Chief Engineer - 01  Draughtsmen - 02
 Technical Engineer - 01  Safety Officer - 01
 Planning Engineer - 01  Skilled Workers - As required
 QAQC Engineer - 01  Labours - As required
 Material Engineer - 01
5.2 Machinery, Plants, Equipment & Tools and Materials:-
 Total Station - 01  Rock Hammers - 04
 Levelling Instrument - 01  Rock Drills - 04
 Measuring tape - As required  Giant Breaker - 01
 Generator - 01  Rammers/Plate Compactors - 06
 Excavators - 04  Water Browsers - 01
 Backhoe Loaders - 02  Sampling & Testing Equipment
 Wheel Loaders - 02  Other minor tools
 Dump Trucks - As required

6.0 Safety and Health Requirements

Safety of the personnel and properties is to be given prime importance and all the works to be
carried out without causing any accidents or property damages. Following measures shall be
taken at site and refer Appendix II for Risk Assessments.

 All employees shall be provided with complete personal protection equipment PPE.
 All employees shall attend Safety Induction and training course to identify all hazards
associated with this work.
 All works shall be provided with proper tools and equipment to execute the work safely.
 Flagmen in strongly necessary to guide the construction vehicles on the site to ensure
the construction work can be carried out smoothly.
 Construction electrical facilities shall be inspected by electricians regularly.
 The construction site shall be enclosed by 2m height Hoarding as shown in ‘Phase 3
Logistic Plan’ to avoid the intruders come into the construction site.
 Proper lighting shall be arranged for night time work.

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China Harbour Engineering Company
Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

7.0 Sequence of Excavation

The method and procedures for the excavation works follow the steps below. A Flowchart is
also provided in Appendix A and the drawings are provided in Appendix B.

Before the commencement of the work and after the completion of the related clearing &
grubbing operation, the Engineer will be notified of the areas where to be excavated.
Accordingly, the Engineer will inspect the area for approval before commencement of the
works.

Referring to the Geotechnical Investigation Report reference No. G/2923; Soil profile varies
medium to very dense sand, highly weathered rock and fresh rock. Bulk excavation has to be
done in sand both above and under the water table. Fresh Rock excavation has to be done in
Tower Raft area.

Figure 02: Soil Profile

Therefore, in this method statement excavation shall be separated into three (3) stages. Namely
Excavation above Water Table, Excavation bellow Water Table and Excavation in Fresh Rock.

7.1 Excavation up to Capping Beam Level

Stage 1 is excavation of Sand above Water Table. Secant pile wall capping beam bottom level is
just below the water table. Therefore, excavation in Sand shall be execute as follows.

Continuous Board Pile (CBP) wall bound the East and West boundaries of the site. North and
South boundaries consist of secant pile wall. Capping beam top level of the Secant pile wall at
North and South boundaries is just below the top level of Basement 1 of the Resident Towers.

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Stage 1 excavation shall be started from the East boundary and shall continue up to bottom of
the CBP Capping Beam level. Then the excavation execute until reach the bottom of secant pile
Capping Beam. Excavators and Loaders shall be deployed to excavate Sand and load excavated
material to Dump Trucks.

7.2 Temporary Work

Washing Bay shall be provide and maintain at main entrance to the Phase 3. Care shall be taken
to cover dump trucks with tarpaulin before leave the site to comply with the local traffic
regulations.

Before further excavation below water table, temporary works such as Dewatering, Soil
Nailing for Lateral Support, Earth reinforcement by Grouting and Capping Beam construction
shall execute as described underneath.

7.2.1 Dewatering

Referring the Geotechnical Investigation Report Ground Water Table shall be around MSL
+2.00. Further, deep well dewatering system shall be execute to lower the ground water level.
This will continued until the substructure reached the ground level.

Series of deep wells of 200mm diameter with submersible pumps arranged around the site as
indicated in following Figure 03: Dewatering Well Arrangement shall be employed to
dewatering. Depth of deep-well shall be to maintain the water table below 500 ~ 1000 mm from
the lowest screed level.

Ring main of PVC type shall be provide around the excavation to collect water from each
submersible pump. End of this ring main shall be connect to silt-trap and sedimentation tank.
Discharge pipe shall be provided from sedimentation tank to approved discharge location.

A generator with backup system shall be provided to supply undisturbed power supply to the
submersible pumps and any booster pumps in ring main if required.

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Figure 03: Dewatering Well Arrangement

7.2.2 Lateral Support

First line of the temporary earth lateral support shall be installed between LG at +1.15 and
Basement 1 at -1.85. Then the excavation execute up to a level between Basement 1 and
Basement 2 at -4.85 m. Second line of the Lateral support shall be installed at this level. Design
calculation of lateral support and Walers shall be submit separately with installation method
statement.
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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

7.2.3 Earth Reinforcement by Grouting

Referring to the Drawing No: ELS/1 – Proposed Basement Excavation Plan, the existing CBP
at the East and West boundaries have been constructed with gaps between each pile. Therefore,
Cement Grouting shall be execute along the CBP wall at East boundary to prevent possible
Ground Water seepage through these gaps during basement excavation. Separate method
statement shall be provided for Grouting.

7.3 Excavation below Capping Beam Level

Stage 2 of the excavation shall be started after finishing the capping beam construction work
and temporary works for Ground Improvement. Earth excavation shall continue until the fresh
rock reached. Excavators and Loaders shall be deployed for soil and sand excavation.
Weathered rock will be excavated out by excavator / dozer.

Soil Nailing shall be done at levels calculated parallel to the excavation. Method statement shall
be provide for monitoring of settlements in temporary supports.

7.4 Rock Excavation

Controlled blasting method shall be deployed for Rock excavation. Refer Method Statement for
Rock Blasting reference No: CHEC/SLCB3/MS-01 for detailed method of excavation in Rock.

7.5 Howling & Disposing of Excavated Material

Excavation at Zone 1 in Figure 1 shall execute first. Temporary Access Roads mentioned in
Figure 1 shall be planned to Howling the excavated material. Deepening will start from East
end boundary while keeping ramp access to West and South boundaries.

8.0 Quality Control

Experienced supervisory staff will be employed for carrying out the work. 

9.0 Measurement Control

A request will be made to the Engineer to carry out a joint survey of the area where excavation
is completed, for the purpose of measurements.

Site measurements will be carry out and recorded during the course of the works as indicated in
the above procedures. The Engineer’s certification will be obtained for the inspection sheets
referred to Method Statement for Survey Works.

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

10.0 Appendix A – Flow Chart for Excavation & Earth Work

Joint Survey for Spot Levels & to 
verify control points
Notice to Engineer prior to 
Excavation

Excavation up to ground water 
table / bottom of the capping 
beam.

Zone 1A & 
Zone 2 Zone 3
Zone of the 
Excavation

Zone 1 Refer Method Statement 
for Access Ramp & Show 
Capping Beam Construction Flat Area

Temporary Work  Refer MS for 
1. Dewatering Lateral Support & 
2. Lateral Support Grouting
3. Earth Reinforcement

Excavation bellow water table in dense sand

Refer MS for Rock 
Rock  Bed 
Blasting
Excavation Rock

Excavation in Highly Weathered Rock

Howling & Disposing of Excavated Material

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

11.0 Appendix B ‐ Drawings

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

12.0 Appendix C ‐ Inspection and Test Plan for Excavation and Earth Work
Legends Used:  CHEC = China Harbour Engineering Company  SUR = Surveyor                     SA = Site Agent TS = Technical Specification
  SC = Sub‐contractor  QE = Quality Engineer                        H = Hold Point  GS = General Specification 
  PS = Particular Specification  ENG=Engineer                        W = Witness Point  SE = Site Engineer / Foreman 
comment 
Item  Description  of  works  item  Applicable  Inspection(s) and/or  Acceptance Criteria Frequency of  The verifying record(s) is Level  of  witness  Responsibility for
No.  on  which  the  Inspection  specification  and  Test(s) required  inspection  required  for  signature(s) on verifying record(s)
and/or  Testing  Activity  clause reference  and/or  inspection  and/or 
shall be carried out  testing  testing 
        SC CHEC ENG
  Setting out works    Drawing    RSCF  Survey check  Each Item  Survey Record    H  H  W  SE /SUR/ EMP 
 
1 
 
 
  Spot  Levels  of  Drawing / MS  RSCF  Survey check  Each Item  Survey Record    H  H  W  SE /SUR/ EMP 
 
2 
Excavation 

             
             
       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

13.0 Appendix D ‐ Risk Assessment

Method 
Name of the activity: Excavation and Earth Work  Statement  CHEC/SLCB3/ MS‐03 
  Reference  Rev (0) 
No. 
Date of Assessment:    22nd December 2015  Name of Risk Assessor(s)  1.   (Safety Officer CHEC) 
Revision Number:    00  Revision Date: 00  No of Pages:  04 
 
     
Original Risk  Residual Risk 
Classification  Classification 
Mitigation Control 
Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 

Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 
Activity and hazard  Proposed Mitigation Measures  Unit 
Item 

  (Consider the Worst Credible  (What Precautions you are going to  (Who is 

Scenarios)  implement?)  responsible for 
doing this?) 

1.   Injuries due to not wearing personal  04  04  16  All  workers  should  wear  prescribe  personal  01  04  04  Subcontractor’s 
protective equipment.  protective  equipment.  (Safety  helmet,  safety  Site Engineer /   
shoes, gloves, high visibility jackets,).  CHEC Site Engineer 
 
2.   Operating heavy machine for  03  04  12  Only  trained  and  licensed  operators  in  01  05  05  Subcontractor’s 
excavation and lifting loads.        operation.  Daily  Pre‐Operational  checks  by  Site Engineer / 
Operators.    CHEC Site Engineer 
Equipment’s are provided with side mirrors and 
reverse beepers.   
Maintaining distance to excavated trench banks 
and machine placing position.   

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Method 
Name of the activity: Excavation and Earth Work  Statement  CHEC/SLCB3/ MS‐03 
  Reference  Rev (0) 
No. 
Date of Assessment:    22nd December 2015  Name of Risk Assessor(s)  1.   (Safety Officer CHEC) 
Revision Number:    00  Revision Date: 00  No of Pages:  04 
 
     
Original Risk  Residual Risk 
Classification  Classification 
Mitigation Control 
Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 

Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 
Activity and hazard  Proposed Mitigation Measures  Unit 
Item 

  (Consider the Worst Credible  (What Precautions you are going to  (Who is 

Scenarios)  implement?)  responsible for 
doing this?) 

3.   Poor visibility in working area  03  05  15    Adequate  lighting  shall  be  provided  not  less  01  05  05  Subcontractor’s 
than 15 Lux. Illuminated warning signs shall be  Site Engineer /   
placed.  All  the  personal  working  in  the  area  CHEC Site 
shall wear high visibility jackets.  Engineer/ 
contractor safety 
personnel 
4.   Fall injury due to poor housekeeping  02  03  06  Providing  safe  access  to  site  and  safe  work  01  03  03  Subcontractor’s 
and  working  area  disturbance.  (slips  platform/area  to  work  comfortably  during  Site Engineer /   
and trips)      rebar, formwork and concreting.    CHEC Site Engineer 
No  permission  to  store  unnecessary  materials 
on the platform.   

5.   Falling from heights  03  05  15  All  riggers  shall  receive  adequate  training.  01  05  10  Subcontractor’s 
Provide  safety  harness  for  people  working  at  Site Engineer /   
height.  All  fall  edges  and  openings  shall  be  CHEC Site Engineer 
protected by provision of guardrail and warning 
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China Harbour Engineering Company
Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Method 
Name of the activity: Excavation and Earth Work  Statement  CHEC/SLCB3/ MS‐03 
  Reference  Rev (0) 
No. 
Date of Assessment:    22nd December 2015  Name of Risk Assessor(s)  1.   (Safety Officer CHEC) 
Revision Number:    00  Revision Date: 00  No of Pages:  04 
 
     
Original Risk  Residual Risk 
Classification  Classification 
Mitigation Control 
Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 

Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 
Activity and hazard  Proposed Mitigation Measures  Unit 
Item 

  (Consider the Worst Credible  (What Precautions you are going to  (Who is 

Scenarios)  implement?)  responsible for 
doing this?) 

tape.
6.   Human  failures  /  Unsafe  acts  which  04  04  16  1.    Daily  toolbox  talks  shall  be  conducted  for  01  04  04  Safety Engineer / 
may lead to accidents  all workmen by safety officers to educate them  CHEC Site Engineer 
on hazards and preventive actions. 
2.    Regular inspections by safety Officers 
7.   Falling objects from heights  04  05  20  Material  shall  be  safe  stack  and  secured  to  02  03  06  Subcontractor’s 
prevent fall. Toe‐boards shall be provided to all  Site Engineer /   
working platforms  and floor  edges. All persons  CHEC Site Engineer 
at site shall ware safety helmet. 
8.   Operating  under  adverse  weather  04  04  16  Obtain  daily  weather  forecast  and  plan  works  01  04  04  Subcontractor’s 
conditions  accordingly.  Stop  all  works  in  adverse  weather  Site Engineer /   
conditions  and  evacuate  workmen  to  a  safe  CHEC Site Engineer 
location. 
Contingency  management  plan  in  place  and 

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Phase 3 –Proposed Shangri-La Retail & Office Development

Method 
Name of the activity: Excavation and Earth Work  Statement  CHEC/SLCB3/ MS‐03 
  Reference  Rev (0) 
No. 
Date of Assessment:    22nd December 2015  Name of Risk Assessor(s)  1.   (Safety Officer CHEC) 
Revision Number:    00  Revision Date: 00  No of Pages:  04 
 
     
Original Risk  Residual Risk 
Classification  Classification 
Mitigation Control 
Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 

Likelihood 

Consequences 

Risk Level 
Activity and hazard  Proposed Mitigation Measures  Unit 
Item 

  (Consider the Worst Credible  (What Precautions you are going to  (Who is 

Scenarios)  implement?)  responsible for 
doing this?) 

communicated to all through toolbox talks and 
induction training. 
9.   Lack of first aid facilities.    03  04  12  Adequate  number  of  trained  First  aiders  and  01  04  04  Subcontractor’s 
First  aid  boxes  shall  be  in  placed  according  to  Site Engineer /   
directive given in OHSP‐CSCTP at the vicinity of  CHEC Site 
works.    Engineer/ safety 
personnel 
Stand‐by vehicle shall be in place at the vicinity 
of  works  in  case  of  occupational  injury  or 
medical emergency. Stretcher shall be available 
close to works. 
  First  aid  procedures  and  emergency  contact 
numbers  shall  be  communicated  to  all 
workmen  and  prominently  displayed  in  the 
vicinity of work 

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