Search Results: 'HSE'

Tunnel construction impacts on utility pipelines
12 February, 2019
The lecture was presented at the Institution of Civil Engineers on 19th January 2017. Dr. Barry New was introduced by Lord Robert Mair. This paper is based on the lecture and contains further supporting material and analyses.

Getting a picture
22 November, 2018
Fugro’s Rod Eddies, Simon Brightwell and Ray Wood discuss how tunnelling risks related to the ground and built structure can be managed into better stakeholder outcomes - such as accelerated construction, extended asset life and optimised return on investment - through integrated and appropriately phased use of modern geoscientific technologies

Collaboration, communication, competence
08 October, 2018
Bob Ibell, former chair of London Bridge Associates and the British Tunnelling Society, delivered his Harding Lecture in June of this year. The lecture is given by an eminent speaker in the UK, usually every two years, in honour of Sir Harold Harding, the founding chair of the BTS. Alex Conacher produced this account of the talk, which reflected on 50 years in the industry and makes suggestions about where it should be going

Risk management in major projects
05 September, 2018
Four speakers from across the tunnelling industry gave their perspectives on the management of risk in tunnelling and major infrastructure projects at the October 19 British Tunnelling Society meeting. Bill Grose introduced the topic and set the scene with lessons from history, Kevin Province spoke about catastrophic events and some observations on best practice, Nigel Legge discussed causes of tunnelling failures and methods of risk management, and Patrick Barney gave the perspective of the insurance industry. This report was prepared by Martyn Noak of CH2M

Changing safety culture
29 August, 2018
Leah Jacobs looks at her own contribution to the Waterview Connection project in New Zealand

Risk management in major projects
06 February, 2018
On the 19th of October, four speakers from across the tunnelling industry gave their perspective on the management of risk in tunnelling and major infrastructure projects.

HSE to assume ‘no comment is assent’ on exposure limits
25 January, 2018
International - All European countries are being faced with implementing lower exposure limits for a number of hazardous substances in August this year. The two substances of most interest to tunnellers are nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide found in diesel engine exhaust and blasting fume.

Grounded thinking
02 November, 2017
Alex Conacher speaks to Rod Eddies and Simon Brightwell of Fugro, a geotechnical services provider, to get a handle on the latest thinking around the ground model approach

Hawks nest disaster
11 July, 2016
Nayab Sultan, Doctoral researcher at Silicosis Research gives this insight into the Hawks Nest Incident, considered by some to be the worst industrial disaster in US history

Unsafe worksites take note
26 May, 2016
Construction insurance specialist Focus expects that new sentencing guidelines for England and Wales that came into force in February will have a significant impact on the industry’s safety record, workforce, employers and insurers. John Finch, Focus commercial director, gives this assessment

Britain launches segmental lining code of practice
20 April, 2016
GREAT BRITAIN – A specification for the design of concrete segmental linings was launched in mid-April. The document, “Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 8810:2016 – Tunnel Design: Design of concrete segmental linings: Code of practice” was produced by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and lead technical author Arup.

Unexploded ordinance
31 December, 2015
Uxo (unexploded ordnance) can arise from both hostile and defensive military activity and is often related to World War I and II. Simon Cooke, 6-Alpha Associates, explains to the March 2015 meeting of the British Tunnelling Society how Uxo can pose a risk to tunnelling activities and how risk can be managed and mitigated to alarp (as low as reasonably practical), in accordance with the law and using best practice.

Under fire under work
13 March, 2013
The risk of fire in tunnels under construction can be reduced in several ways. At the November 2012 BTS meeting Barry O’Donoghue, Mott MacDonald site contract manager; Francois Pogu, Vinci's Lee Tunnel project director; Dave Bulbrook, London Fire Brigade group manager; and Donald Lamont of Hyperbaric & Tunnel Safety reviewed the Storbelt and A86 Socatop tunnel fires, protocol for working with fire brigade and current legislation required for contractors.

Tunnel Environment
13 March, 2013
Environmental monitoring is getting an increased focus from tunnel clients, designers and contractors. Alex Conacher speaks to a variety of the parties to find out some of the main concerns, and what developments are being made in thinking and technology.

Rock Me Amadeus
28 February, 2013
NATM is a frequently misunderstood approach to tunnelling. Its de¬ nition, its use and its advantages are often the subject of debate. In this issue of Tunnels, Austrian Society for Geomechanics (OeGG) president Wulf Schubert attempts to tackle the issue.

An art for humble men
19 October, 2012
Tunnels revisits the traditional methods. Hand mining and its health and safety related concerns are well known, while the traditional soft ground timber supports are increasingly forgotten, as the old methods get pushed aside by the march of mechanisation. Alex Conacher reports

New compressed air guidelines
10 July, 2012
The March BTS meeting marked the launch of the joint ITA and BTS guidelines for good working practice in high-pressure compressed air (HPCA). BTS input had been through its Compressed Air Working Group. Donald Lamont, principal author of the document, summarised the guidelines. Werner Burger, chief design engineer for Herrenknecht spoke on the problems of HPCA for a manufacturer. Tony Ridley of Tony Ridley Hyperbaric Associates outlined UK experience with HPCA. And Claus Mayer, managing director of Nordseetaucher gave an account of his experiences with HPCA

UK Health and Safety Executive cost recovery scheme delayed
03 April, 2012
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) did not implement its new cost recovery scheme at the start of April as planned.

Modern compressed air and gas work
10 November, 2011
Work in compressed air has its origins in the early-to-mid 19th century. It is relatively uncommon these days and consequently few tunnellers have had experience of current practice. Donald Lamont of Hyperbaric & Tunnel Safety reviews its development, current practice and its context in tunneling

HAVS in the law
23 September, 2011
Whatever the arguments and attitudes about applicability, the legislative framework intended to protect the health of the tunnelling workforce, and those encountering vibration in many other industries is inescapable. The editorial team checked on current legislation in some main tunnelling locations