Pipe Jacking Installation Safety
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Pipe Jacking Installation Safety
Pipe jacking pushes prefabricated pipe sections through the ground from a drive shaft to a reception shaft using hydraulic rams, avoiding the need for open-cut excavation. Workers operate in the drive shaft and at the tunnel face in confined conditions with heavy hydraulic equipment and spoil removal systems. This talk covers the specific hazards of pipe jacking and the controls required at every stage of the operation.
- Ensure the jacking pit and reception shaft are designed as confined spaces with full entry controls.
- Carry out continuous atmospheric monitoring at the tunnel face and in the jacking shaft.
- Maintain clear communication between the jacking operator, shield operator, and shaft top man.
- Ensure exclusion zones are maintained around the jacking rams during all pushing operations.
- Monitor jacking forces against the design limits and stop work if they are exceeded.
- Provide forced ventilation through the pipe string to maintain safe air quality at the face.
- Inspect all hydraulic rams, seals, and thrust wall structures before each jacking shift.
- Use bentonite lubrication as specified to reduce jacking forces and prevent pipe skin friction build-up.
- Brief the team on the shift's jacking sequence, ground conditions, and emergency withdrawal procedure.
If ground conditions deteriorate or jacking forces exceed design limits, stop all operations immediately. Evacuate the pipe string and shaft. Do not re-enter until the tunnel engineer has assessed the situation and authorised resumption.
- Treat the jacking pit and pipe string as confined spaces with full entry controls throughout
- Continuous atmospheric monitoring is required at the tunnel face and in the jacking shaft
- Exclusion zones must be maintained around jacking rams during all pushing operations
- Monitor jacking forces against design limits and stop immediately if they are exceeded
- Forced ventilation must run through the pipe string to maintain safe air at the working face
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