Week 22 Tunnelling & TBM Course: Safety in Tunnelling

As in any construction site, underground worksites poses many dangers. In addition to the general hazards typical to any worksite, there are some specific hazards particular to underground worksite. To cover these aspects, Week 22 (16th June to 20th June) lectures were focussed on Health and Safety of Worksite and Equipments. Mr. Achille Sorlini from Geodata and Prof. Mario Patrucco from Politecnico di Torino gave us an overview of the topic with some case studies and engineering design control methods.

Examples of specific measures to be taken in case of following typical events were discussed:

• Event of fire
• Event of gas in-leakage
• Event of water inrush
• Event of cave-in / rock burst
• Compressed air interventions

Major Tunnelling safety codes [1-6] of practices were discussed. ITA Working Group on Health and Safety in Works [3] gives a brief summary of important aspects to be covered while preparing HSP (Health and Safety Plan) for a Tunnelling site and serves as a quick reference. TBG Handbook prepared by ITA [4] gives an illustrative examples of safe and un-safe practices, particularly very useful for Tunnel workers and first line supervision.

Example of safe practices given in TBG handbook [4]

References:

[1] British Standard 6164 Code of practice for safety in tunnelling in the construction Industry,2001.

[2] DAUB Recommendations for Planning and Implementation of Occupational Health and Safety concepts in Underground Worksites, 2007.

[3] ITA WG: Health and Safety in Works - Guidelines for Good Occupational Health and Safety Practice in Tunnel Construction, November 2008

[4] ITA WG: Health and Safety in Works - Safe Working in Tunnelling TBG Handbook 

[5] European Standard EN 12336: Tunnelling machines - Shield machines, thrust boring machines, auger boring machines, lining erection equipment - Safety requirements, 2005.

[6] Council Directive 92/57/EEC on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites

[7] OSHA 29 CFR, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction - Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams and Compressed Air (1926.800), US Department of Labor.

[8] OSHA 3115, Underground Construction (Tunnelling), US Department of Labor.

[9] European Standard EN 815: Unshielded tunnel boring machines and rodless shaft boring machines for hard rock - safety requirements

[10] European Standard EN 12111: Tunnelling machines - Boring machines, continuous miners and impact rippers - safety requirements

[11] European Standard EN 12110: Tunnelling machines - pressure zone access - Safety requirements.