Application of a database of unplanned tunnel construction incidents to promote safer construction and improve the perception of risk

Tunnel construction – particularly in urban areas, has the potential to be one of the more hazardous forms of civil engineering construction work. This paper looks at the development of a database of international incidents and offers the authors' views on what can be reliably deduced from this information. The paper describes the context of investigations that need to be undertaken in the construction industry both in relation to personal injury matters, and for the rarer “big event” incidents, which although occurring infrequently, require a different approach. The paper then proceeds to outline the particular difficulties of obtaining information on international tunnelling incidents, and the sources of material that can be available. A summary of the present research database is presented and conclusions drawn. Finally, a case study is presented of a significant and important incident within the UK where the authors played a significant part in the detailed forensic investigation process and in the drafting of publications and in international publicity. The authors argue that such detailed, but rare, investigations do provide the means by which others can more reliably improve the perception of risk in future projects of a similar nature

• Abstract

• Overall approach to investigations

• Tunnelling Incident database development

• Exceptional Case Study – Heathrow 1994

• Conclusions

• References