By Lynda Myer
Advancing its buoyant period, the tunneling industry is continuing. By installing its secondary lining, Thames Tideway tunneling completed and the determined date for completion of its connection and testing works is 2025. Considering HS2’s tunneling well progressing, Hinkley Point C, York Potash project’s boosting in the UK, numerous smaller TBM tunnels around the country for Road & Rail crossings, as well as inauguration of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), this flourishing period is proven.
Key to the success of these projects is their completion with the best health and safety record possible.
In order to allowing more time on specific subjects and include more discussion and debate, it has been decided to repeat the two-day format of the last eight years after the success of the Underground Health & Safety Course over past years. The British Tunnelling Society (BTS), which is an Associated Society of the Institution of Civil Engineers, is the responsible of organizing and conducting the Health & Safety Course, while its aim is to provide a comprehensive introduction to Health & Safety in tunneling.
The course has been developed to focus exclusively on the underground environment. It aims to provide an introduction or enhance existing basic knowledge and develop an awareness of the health and safety challenges that working underground can pose.
Monday 21st November
DAY 1 – Underground Risks
- Ground risks & how mitigated
- Health & Welfare for underground workers –noise, dust, heat, pollution, harmful gases
- Occupational Health programs–Emergency Response
- Compressed Air Usage
- Underground Safety Passports, Competence, NVQs
- Debate – tba
Tuesday 22nd November
DAY 2 – Underground Safety
- Safety Management & Maintenance aspects of the use of Underground Machinery – incl. TBM, Loco, Rolling stock, Conveyors
- Electrical Safety – supply systems, management, safe usage
- CDM Regulations as applied to design & construction of Underground work.
- Use of Explosives underground
- Joint Code of Risk Management for underground works
- Safety Management & Leadership programs
- Environmental Impacts/Sustainability issues
- Course review & candidates’ assessment
For further information about registration and other procedures please visit this website.
