The following section describes most tunnelling methods and activities and provides examples of specific hazards, risks and control measures to be considered in addition to the common hazards, risks and control measures. Specific guidance on risk control measures for excavation and construction work is in the Code of Practice: and the Code of Practice: Excavation work Construction work. Excavation by hand Most tunnelling work is partly or totally mechanised. Excavating by hand is generally limited to small sections within larger workplaces like a small shaft, sump or drive-in area with limited access and possibility for mechanisation. Control measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risks associated with excavation by hand. Specific hazards, risks and control measures excavating by hand Table 7 – Hazards and risks Control measures small work areas implementing regular face and scaling inspections hazardous manual tasks e.g. extra physical lifting and activity using: tools with non-conductive handles falls from heights from non-mechanised access mechanical lifting gear, winches, rigging systems falling objects from working: PPE like rubber boots, insulating near the worked face gloves and hearing protection under unsupported ground restricting entry to work area installing bolts, sets and lattice girders for ground support reducing worker numbers in work party monitoring daily exposure limits on vibration effects on the body from using hand vibration tools like rock drills or jack picks providing training and information like noise from working near air tools and drills SDS contaminated ground or groundwater supplying: dust from working near the face lighting and ventilation adequate for heat stress from physical exertion the task crush injuries from small mobile plant drinking water and managing fatigue contact with electric lines including electrical shock from services not removed or Excavation using plant Control measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risks associated with excavating using plant. Table 8 Specific hazards, risks and control measures - excavating using plant Hazards and risks Control measures
The following section describes most tunnelling methods and activities and provides examples of specific hazards, risks and control measures to be considered in addition to the common hazards, risks and control measures. Specific guidance on risk control measures for excavation and construction work is in the Code of Practice: Excavation work and the Code of Practice: Construction work. Excavation by hand Most tunnelling work is partly or totally mechanised. Excavating by hand is generally limited to small sections within larger workplaces like a small shaft, sump or drive-in area with limited access and possibility for mechanisation. Control measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risks associated with excavation by hand. Table 7 Specific hazards, risks and control measures – excavating by hand Hazards and risks Control measures small work areas hazardous manual tasks e.g. extra physical lifting and activity falls from heights from non-mechanised access falling objects from working: near the worked face under unsupported ground installing bolts, sets and lattice girders for ground support vibration effects on the body from using hand tools like rock drills or jack picks noise from working near air tools and drills contaminated ground or groundwater dust from working near the face heat stress from physical exertion crush injuries from small mobile plant contact with electric lines including electrical shock from services not removed or implementing regular face and scaling inspections using: tools with non-conductive handles mechanical lifting gear, winches, rigging systems PPE like rubber boots, insulating gloves and hearing protection restricting entry to work area reducing worker numbers in work party monitoring daily exposure limits on vibration providing training and information like SDS supplying: lighting and ventilation adequate for the task drinking water and managing fatigue Excavation using plant Control measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risks associated with excavating using plant. Table 8 Specific hazards, risks and control measures - excavating using plant Hazards and risks Control measures
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