Microtunnelling Safety and Procedures
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Microtunnelling Safety and Procedures
Microtunnelling is a trenchless construction method used to install pipelines beneath roads, railways, and waterways without open-cut excavation. Work takes place from deep shafts with restricted access, creating confined space conditions. The jacking forces involved are considerable and the process requires continuous monitoring. This talk covers the key safety requirements for microtunnelling operations.
- Treat all launch and reception shafts as confined spaces with full permit and monitoring requirements.
- Monitor the atmosphere in the shaft continuously for oxygen, methane, and hydrogen sulphide.
- Establish an exclusion zone around the jacking frame and pipe storage area during active operations.
- Use a crane with a certified lifting beam for lowering pipe sections into the shaft safely.
- Ensure safe access into the shaft using fixed ladders, staircases, or a man-riding winch system.
- Brief all operatives on the emergency rescue plan for shaft evacuation before any entry.
- Monitor jacking forces against design limits and stop if abnormal resistance is encountered.
- Maintain communication between the shaft crew, surface team, and tunnel boring machine operator.
- Keep rescue equipment including breathing apparatus and a tripod winch at the shaft top.
If a worker collapses in a shaft, do not enter without breathing apparatus. Activate the confined space rescue plan. Use the tripod winch to recover the casualty if accessible. Call 999 stating confined space rescue is needed. Monitor the atmosphere before any rescuer enters.
- All launch and reception shafts must be treated as confined spaces with full permits
- Monitor the atmosphere continuously for oxygen, methane, and hydrogen sulphide in every shaft
- Maintain an exclusion zone around the jacking frame during active pipe pushing operations
- Ensure the emergency rescue plan is briefed to everyone before any shaft entry
- Keep rescue equipment including breathing apparatus available at the shaft top at all times
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