METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTHING

FOR

9078/13/02-02 - 400KV

TRANSMISSION LINE LETLHAKANE – MAWANA AND ASSOCIATED

WORKS

FOR THE

NORTH WEST TRANSMISSION GRID CONNECTION PROJECT

LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

REVISION RECORD SHEET

Rev. No. Date Description of Change

00 18 SEPTEMBER 2018 New Document

01 15 NOVEMBER 2018 Based upon EC Comments

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

Avinash Lal Siseko W Mdlokolo Siseko W Mdlokolo

Name
R S Batcha R S Batcha

Date 15.11.2018

Signature

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................ 4

2.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 4

3.0 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................. 4

4.0 GENERAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS .................................................................. 5

5.0 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................................... 6

6.0 TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT .............................................................................................. 7

7.0 METHOD STATEMENT / WORK METHOD .................................................................... 7

8.0 INSPECTION.................................................................................................................. 9

9.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ........................................................................................... 9

10.0 RECORDS...................................................................................................................... 10

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

1.0 PURPOSE
This Method statement details the procedure of installation & testing of Tower Earthing.

2.0 REFERENCES
 BPC Technical Specification
 Applicable codes & standards as per contract
 Accepted Design Drawings
 Baseline Risk Assessment
 Approved Technical Data Sheet Approved PQP
 Approved SHE Plan

3.0 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS -

TERM / ABBREVIATION DEFINITION

EC Engineering Consultants

PMO Project Management Office

BPC Botswana Power Corporation

ECO Environmental Control Officer

EMP Environmental Management Plan

ELO Environmental Liaison Officer

EDRC Engineering Design & Research Centre

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

SC Subcontractor

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

 GENERAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

 SHE File
The subcontractor shall be required to comply with all Project SHE aspects in line with the L&T
SHEQ policy, BPC Safety requirements, EIA and EMP recommendations and Project Quality
Plan. The subcontractor shall accede to the mandatory agreement as prescribed by L&T and the
following shall be submitted for review and approval prior to commencement of work;
 Workmen cover/insurance
 Employee competencies
 Employee Identities
 Employee medical certificates
 Project Specific Induction
 PPE issue

 Risk Assessment & Hazard identification

 Risk Assessments & Hazard Identification shall be prepared including mitigation measures, and
responsibility for implementation. This shall be coordinated with site Safety In-charge and attach to
this method statement.
 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment plan showing activity, risk, mitigation measures,
responsibility are prepared to ensure safe working. Activity based HIRA plan is attached in this
method statement.
 Before commencing any work, all permits shall be checked and ensured that they are valid until
completion of activity.
 All works shall be referred to the Drawings and specifications.
 All materials shall be approved, sampled, tested, & accepted (as applicable) by client prior to
incorporation to the work.
 All staff and workmen shall wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).
 Toolbox talks shall be conducted every day before commencement of work.
 All personnel shall be cautioned while working near live lines and other services.
 Prior to commencement of activities/works, the entire area shall be barricaded.
 Adequate sign boards shall be kept to forewarn all.
 Accumulated debris shall be cleared from the work site on daily basis.
 It will be ensured that all men working in high-level are wearing necessary safety harness complying
with the safety requirements and following precautionary measures on safety aspects.
 All plant and equipment shall be calibrated and accompanied by the competent operators prior to
commencement of any works.

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

4.0 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES

4.1 Site Manager

The L&T Site Manager has the overall responsibility for the implementation of this method
statement and ensures that team members and Subcontractors are well aware of the
requirements of the Method Statement. Team members and Sub contractors are to be trained
on method statement and records to be kept on file.
The L&T Site Manager will ensure that the internal resources are available to carry out the
works as scheduled. The L&T Engineer and Subcontractor is responsible for installing &
Testing Earthing as per method statement/approved drawings and as per Contract
Specifications and report completed works to the Site Manager on a daily basis.
 Ensure latest approved drawing available at site prior to start work. Conduct training and awareness
programs for all personnel deployed for the activity.
 Follow up & Co-ordinate with design engineering team for preparation and approval of drawings.
 Ensure method statement is prepared, established and control measures taken before starting the
work and guiding team for implementation.
 Obtain necessary approval as per contract requirement.

Site Engineer

 Prepare method statement and ensure approval by customer representative.

 Execute works according to latest approved method statement & accepted drawings. Orient/train the
team to implement the method statements effectively.
 Identify and adopt best practices.
 Maintain related records.
 Co-ordinate with Quality in charge for scheduling inspection.

Quality Engineer

 Quality Engineer shall review method statements and ensure all requirements are included.
 Inspect the equipment for calibration.
 Prepare & maintain inspection log and records.
 Review Quality Control records and ensure correctness.

EHS Officer

 Disseminate EHS requirements specific to the activities involved and facilitate implementation.
 Facilitate for work specific Hazard / Aspect Identification, Risk / Impact Assessment. Ensure work is
carried out in safe manner by coordinating with site engineer, subcontractors etc

4.2 General
 The L&T Team members are also responsible for monitoring the Subcontractor activities, Checking
and signing off of QITP (Quality inspection and Test Plan) for all activities as per the Earthing works.
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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

EC representative on site is to sign off the QITP’s of the completed works. The Sub Contractor shall
be responsible for ensuring his people are issued with PPE with proper issuing documentation and
complies with this working to this method statement.
 The L&T Safety Officer/supervisor is responsible to check that the L&T personnel as well as the
Subcontractor have all safety precautions in place and that the personnel on site possess the
necessary and essential PPE (Compliance as per SHE plans)

5.0 TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

The following Tools & Equipment shall be used:

 4x4 Vehicle and Transportation of Teams
 Ploughing Equipment’s
 Excavator where and when required
 Measuring Equipment
 Compressors and Jack hammers where and when required.
 Crane truck where and when required
 All tools/equipment’s and materials required for backfilling
 All tools/equipment’s and materials required for barricading
 PPE & Equipment as per the BPC SHE Specification and L&T SHE Plan

6.0 METHOD STATEMENT / WORK METHOD (Ref: Botswana Power Corporation Specification for 400
KV single circuit overhead transmission line Letlhakane to Mawana Substation and associated works
item 24 “EARTHING COUNTERPOISE”)

6.1 Excavation & Barricading

 L & T Site Manager/ Engineer together with the subcontractors to identify the correct positions of the
Earthing to be excavated.
 Excavations shall be made to the full dimensions & depth as required using Excavator/ploughing
method.
 Jack hammers may be engaged for earthing work excavation if the underlying strata is soft rock and
/ or hard to excavate.
 All open excavation to be barricaded in accordance with the SHE plan and specifications to prevent
any person or animal falling into the pits.

 6.2 Earthing Connection

 Each section of the earth wire shall be separately connected to the tower using galvanized lugs in
order that it can, if required, be disconnected for the purpose of tower footing resistance
measurements. All connections to towers shall be made in an approved drawing.
 Conductive grease to be used for lug bolted to central mast to control the entry of moisture into joint.

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

 Step by Step Methodology:-

 In Guy type towers
 Step 0, if the footing resistance is 40 ohms or lower, there is no earthing required.
 Step 1, Basic Earthing: - Earth wire (7/3.25) shall be connected between all anchors & central mast
buried 500mm below ground.
 Step 2, Additional Earthing: - If tower footing resistance not achieved as per below guidance limit.
Earth wire (7/3.25) need to be extended radially outward 15m from all anchors.
 Step 3:- Further if tower footing resistance not achieved as per step 1 & 2 then soil resistivity survey
need to be done then depending on outcome Engineering Consultant & Site Manager jointly decide
what further steps to take such as e.g. installing (additional) earth rods.
 Extended earth wire (i.e. 15m) need to connect with copper earthing rod/ electrode (19mm dia with
1.5m extendable length) bolted with HDG steel with bituminous sealing tape.
 In self-supporting towers
 Step 0, if the footing resistance is 40 ohms or lower, there is no earthing required.
 Step 1:- Earth wire (7/3.25) of length 15m shall be connected at 2-nos diagonally opposite legs.
 Step 2:- If tower footing resistance not achieved as per below guidance limit then as a part of
additional earthing remaining 2-more legs Earth wire(7/3.25) of length 15m need to be connected.
 Step 3:- Further if tower footing resistance not achieved as per below guidance limit then soil resistivity
survey need to be done then depending on outcome Engineering Consultant & Site Manager jointly
decide what further steps to take such as e.g. installing (additional) earth rods.
 Extended earth wire (i.e. 15m) need to connect with copper earthing rod/ electrode (19mm dia with
1.5m extendable length) bolted with HDG steel with bituminous sealing tape.
Guidelines of acceptable tower footing resistances not exceeding the values quoted below:-
 General run of the line – 40 ohm
 Terminal structures – 10 ohm
 Second, third and fourth approach towers – 15 ohm.

6.3 Earthing Testing (Ref: Botswana Power Corporation Specification for 420 kV single circuit overhead
transmission line Letlhakane to Mawana Substation and Associated Works item 46 “EARTHING OF
TOWERS”)
 Measurement of the electrical resistance to earth of each tower before the earth conductor/s are
installed.
 Where counterpoise is installed an electrical resistance reading to earth shall also be taken after the
counterpoise is installed.
 The three-point method is the most thorough and reliable test method; used for measuring resistance
to earth of an installed grounding electrode.
 With a four terminal tester, P1 and C1 terminals on the instrument are jumpered and connected to the
earth electrode under test while the C2 reference rod is driven into the earth straight out as far
from the electrode under test as possible. Potential reference P2 is then driven into the earth, at
a set number of points, roughly on a straight line between C1 and C2. Resistance readings are logged
for each P2 point.
 Correct earth resistance is read from the curve for the distance that is roughly 62% of the total
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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

distance between C1 and C2.

 General prevailing ground conditions (e.g. dry, wet etc.) shall also be recorded when measuring tower
electrical resistances.

3-point (Fall of Potential) method

 Please add that where soil conditions are very dry, at the point of insertion of the probes the ground
at the electrode is to be wetted with water to gets more reliable results/readings.

6.4 Backfilling
 Excavated soil suitable for backfill will be returned to the excavation by backfilling with the subsoil first
and the top soil last.
 The distribution of material shall be such that the compacted material will be homogenous to secure
the best practicable degree of compaction, impermeability, stability and no water deposition.
 Material removed from the excavation, which is either not suitable or not required for backfill, shall be
spread evenly over or adjacent to the site.

6.5 Soil resistivity measurement

 Soil Resistivity is most necessary when determining the design of the grounding system for new
installations to meet ground resistance requirements. Ideally to find a location with the lowest possible
resistance. As poor soil conditions can be overcome with more elaborate grounding systems. The soil
composition, moisture content, and temperature all impact the soil resistivity. Soil is rarely
homogenous and the resistivity of the soil will vary geographically and at different soil depths. Moisture
content changes seasonally, varies according to the nature of the sub layers of earth, and the depth
of the permanent water table. Since soil and water are generally more stable at deeper strata, it is
recommended that the ground rods be placed as deep as possible into the earth, at the water table if
possible. Also, ground rods should be installed where there is a stable temperature, i.e. below the
frost line. For a grounding system to be effective, it should be designed to withstand the worst possible
conditions.
 Calculate soil resistivity: The measuring procedure described below uses the universally accepted
Wenner method. The formula is as follows: ρ = 2 p A R (ρ = the average soil resistivity to depth A in
ohm—cm) p = 3.1416 A = the distance between the electrodes in cm R = the measured resistance
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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

value in ohms from the test instrument.

 Procedure to measure soil resistance: To test soil resistivity, connect the ground tester as shown
below. Four earth ground stakes are positioned in the soil in a straight line, equidistant from one
another. The distance between earth ground stakes should be at least three times greater than the
stake depth. So if the depth of each ground stake is one foot (30 meters), make sure the distance
between stakes is greater than three feet (.91 meters).
 Principle: The Soil resistivity tester generates a known current through the two outer ground stakes
and the drop in voltage potential is measured between the two inner ground stakes. Using Ohm’s Law
(V=IR), the Soil resistivity tester automatically calculates the soil resistance. By changing the depth
and distance several times, a profile is produced that can determine a suitable ground resistance
system.

Setup for soil resistivity testing

7.0 INSPECTION
 An inspection request shall be submitted to client 1 day prior to scheduled date of inspection.

8.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

 In case of any emergency please contact following:

FIRE 997

998
AMBULANCE

POLICE 999

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LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

9078/13/02-02 - 400kV transmission line Letlhakane – Mawana and Associated work for the
North West Transmission Grid Connection Project
Document Name: Earthing Work Method Statement
Document No. EW-9078/13/02-02-TL Rev No. 01

PROJECT MANAGER 77780973 / 77138257

PROJECT SITE MANAGER 76642651 / 74505117 / 77160354

PROJECT ACCT & ADMIN INCHARGE 7594 9320 / 77174190

FIRST AIDER/ STAFF NURSE 74076478 / 74373515 / 74490367

NEAREST HEALTH FACILITY

SEKGOMA HOSPITAL, SEROWE 4611000

BOIPELEGO CLINIC, SEROWE 4600795

Palapye Primary Hospital, Palapye 733 16941

ORAPA MINE HOSPITAL, ORAPA 2902557

LETLHAKANE PRIMARY HOSPITAL 2978242

KHWEE CLINIC 73030133

MOKUBILO CLINIC 74784617

Mmashoro Clinic 4639505

Malatswai 4639561

Dimajwe 4620346

9.0 RECORDS
 Document TFR Checking report
 Document Soil resistivity report

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