Gasunie ranks among the largest gas infrastructure companies in Europe. Safety is a top priority within Gasunie; it forms the basis of our “licence to operate”. We apply the most stringent health, safety and environmental standards in respect of our employees and our contractors. It goes without saying that Gasunie’s safety policy, characterised by a proactive approach to the prevention of accidents, incidents and hazardous situations, also applies to waste products. Besmette filterkaars

Earthworks Gasunie performs excavation work in the ground for the purpose of maintaining the underground infrastructure and constructing new installations. Over the last few decades, doing this work has taught us many things about the soil and its uses. What we have learnt contributes towards us being able to handle our environment in a responsible manner. People at Gasunie have a lot of relevant knowledge of the soil and groundwater. Gasunie’s policy is to protect the soil and groundwater while we are performing our work.

Soil policy Gasunie’s soil policy aims to prevent or limit soil pollution, to control risks to the soil and to fully rectify any soil incidents that may occur. Gasunie’s soil policy is set out in the following points: safe working practices for all activities involving soil; compliance with soil legislation and regulations; maximum attention to preventive soil protection; performing operations efficiently; fully clearing up soil pollution caused by Gasunie; Gasunie will take immediate action in the event of an unacceptable risk of spreading as a result of soil pollution.

Typical soil- endangering substances held at Gasunie natural gas condensate liquid fuels Odorant (THT) oils and greases (such as drilling oil and cutting oil, lubricating oil, brake fluid and hydraulic oil) solvents, degreasant, paint stripping agents and detergents, metalworking fluids heavy metals such as chromium, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin, barium, mercury and lead contaminated blasting grit Prevention of soil pollution Be sure to handle liquids carefully. Prevent spills and leaks. Prevent soil pollution by using the correct equipment such as drip trays. Where soil-endangering substances have leaked or dripped, clear up the contaminated ground immediately. Rectify leaks immediately. Prevent spreading by using absorbent granules, cloths and the like. Always report unusual occurrences within the reporting period specified by Gasunie.

Soil protection Gasunie has an obligation to prevent emissions into the ground to the best of its ability. This is laid down in law in the Dutch Soil Protection Act and the Dutch Soil Protection Directive (NRB). For this reason, Gasunie carries out preventive actions: periodical inspection of floors; periodical sampling of underground tanks; determines the baseline situation and performs a final situation inspection when the activities are completed; putting out equipment such as drip trays, absorbent granules, boarding etc. is done as a matter of course.

Soil inspection When performing the tasks, different preventive soil inspections often have to be carried out. We distinguish between the following types of inspection: environmental soil inspection, soil pollution checks and batch surveys geohydrologic inspection (groundwater) agricultural engineering inspection (aboveground) soil mechanics inspection (soil structure) flora & fauna inspection (growth and bloom) archaeological inspection (mineral resources) explosive testing (not exploded)

When must soil inspections be performed? In the event of work at locations known or suspected to be contaminated On account of provisions laid down in permits or laws On account of contractual obligations When removing or handling soil When draining or discharging groundwater Where there is suspected soil pollution caused by marking out new pipeline routes and by building installations If soil pollution may be present at existing locations and installations If agricultural engineering, geohydrologic or soil mechanics reports must be written for new builds or maintenance work, also for explosive testing and archaeological inspection If there are possibly soil diseases If inspection of the quality of water bed sludge is necessary When making plans of action for the excavation and removal of pollutants If there is a suspicion that the soil contains asbestos

Ground inspection Prior to earth moving activities or transportation of soil or dredging waste, a batch survey must be carried out: indicative batch survey : if the soil will probably not be reused or where the quantity is less than 50 m 3 batch survey: if soil or dredging waste will be used somewhere else and for applying for a declaration stating that the soil is not cleanable

Soil safety Soil pollution Working with polluted soil is subject to strict requirements in accordance with legislation and regulations as well as the company’s own internal regulations. Of course, the safety provisions set out in Gasunie Technical Standard CSA-38 are applicable including, among other requirements, the VCA certificate. In addition to the health and safety legislation, Gasunie also prescribes CROW publication 132 ‘Working in or with contaminated soil from land and water beds’. The risk is determined according to toxicity (T class) and flammability (F class). The safety class can only be determined by experts. The protective measures are determined on the basis of the specified safety class. When carrying out these sets of measures, the occupational hygiene strategy shall be taken into account, among other things. The higher the safety class, the more measures must be taken to ensure safe working conditions.

The contractor always draws up the HSE plan. The site manager is responsible for safety when soil decontamination measures are being performed and only he can give permission for entering the excavation. Only those individuals who have been medically approved, on a yearly basis, may work in the excavation. While soil decontamination is being performed, a specialist project manager (DLP), often the site manager, and an environmental consultant (MKB) must be present. Individuals who have not been approved may visit the excavation for a temporary period, provided the site manager has given his express permission.

Digging in the earth The use of a vacuum sweeper is often preferable to manual digging for pipeline routes and planning schedules If the decision is taken to work manually after all: the excavator bucket may only be used to break into the earth which is being dug manually. The bucket may then hang freely in the excavation Collect and study all the drawings prior to commencing work Mark out all pipelines; in particular, clearly mark blow-off pipes A safety meeting shall take place prior to the commencement of any work and the work shall be discussed with the operator Before digging, it is preferable remove the pressure from the gas infrastructure Ensure the work is supported by safety work permits, HSE plan, working agreements and the like Consider that there may be soil pollution and bitumen coatings containing asbestos. The contractor shall also ensure a KLIC notification is done in respect of Gasunie locations and installations.

Practical considerations when working on contaminated land Lay-out of the construction site (fences, huts, safety signs) Access to the construction site (signing in, producing ID) Attending toolbox/kick-off meetings Necessary medical approval Inspection of hoisting and lifting equipment Calibrating water measuring equipment What is the type of pollution and what are the risks (safety class) and specific substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) Use of the correct personal protective equipment Take measurements during the visit (moisture and volatile organic compounds)

Personal protective equipment when performing soil decontamination (depends on the degree of pollution): decontamination overall (without pockets) gloves suitable for the type of pollution (often PVC) chemically resistant boots disposable socks hard hat safety goggles and/or face piece hearing protection – in excess of 85 dB(A) Gasunie prescribes CROW 132 when working with polluted soil.