EVALUATION OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT DURING TUNNELS CONSTRUCTION IN SAUDI ARABIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/ijetmr.v11.i4.2024.1449Keywords:
Risk Management, Safety Management, Tunnels, Risk Assessment, Safety Analysis, Saudi ArabiaAbstract
Tunnel construction projects are complex engineering projects that pose numerous safety challenges. Accordingly, prioritizing the protection of workers, the public, and the environment is imperative. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the most significant risks associated with tunnel construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Twenty-nine hazards were identified through site inspections and interviews with engineers and managers engaged in various tunnel projects in Saudi Arabia. These risks were categorized into six groups, namely, Confined Spaces, Air surveillance & ventilation, Fires, Physical and chemical hazards, Electricity, and Personal safety and emergency plans. Data were acquired from 108 respondents completing a questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS V20 package. The Total Importance Index Impact (TIII) application determined the most crucial risks affecting tunnel construction safety management. As a result, the most significant risk identified are Musculoskeletal disorder due to heavy manual handling, prolonged use of hand tools, or standing, Oxygen shortage brought on by the narrow tunnel, and Constant exposure to high noise; are the most effecting risks. The findings demonstrate that risk analysis facilitates project managers in identifying and focusing on principal risks, which supports the implementation and evaluation of safety management plans. By providing practical guidelines, risk analysis enhances the success rate of tunnel construction projects. Implementing measures to mitigate exposure to elevated noise levels, air supply hazards, fires, and oxygen deficiency is anticipated to result in numerous benefits, including improved worker health and performance, reduced time and expenses, enhanced productivity, and an improved reputation among staff and clients.
Downloads
References
Alkaissy, M., Arashpour, M., Ashuri, B., Bai, Y., & Hosseini, R. (2020). Safety Management in Construction: 20 Years of Risk Modeling. Saf Sci, 129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104805 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104805
Ardeshana, A., Pitroda, J., & Bhavsar, J.J. (2015). Tunnels and Tunneling Operations: Introduction to Old and New ERA. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on: "Engineering: Issues, Opportunities and Challenges for Development".
Barton, N. (2008). The Main Causes of the Pinheiros Cavern Collapse. In: Proceedings of the International Workshop (TC41) Geotechnical Infrastructure for Mega Cities and New Capitals, Buzios, Brazil.
Batchiyska, E. (2020, October 14). Construction Lighting: Ins & Outs of Illuminating Your Worksite. ConstructConnect.
Boudaghpour, S. (2018). Environmental Effects of Tunnel Drilling on Soil Layers in Different Parts of Iran. Department of Civil Engineering, 1-5.
Bravo-Paez, J.M., & Arboleda, C.A. (2016). Geological Risk Assessment and its Impact on Tunnel Construction. In: Proceedings of the 2016 Construction Research Congress (CRC 2016), San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2422-2431. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479827.241 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479827.241
Cao, R.H., Cao, P., Fan, X., Xiong, X., & Lin, H. (2016). An Experimental and Numerical Study on Mechanical Behavior of Ubiquitous-Joint Brittle Rock-Like Specimens Under Uniaxial Compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng, 49(11), 4319-4338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1029-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1029-6
Committee of Inquiry (COI) (2005). Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Incident at the MRT Circle Line Worksite that Led to collapse of Nicoll Highway on 20 April 2004. Singapore: Ministry of Manpower.
Duan, B.F., & Li, L. (2012). Study of Construction Technology for Subsurface Excavation of Metro Tunnel Group in Complex Environment. Chin J Rock Mech Eng, 31, 2776-2782.
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2024, March 31). Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders Development: Hand-Arm Tasks, Repetitive Work. OSHWiki.
Feng, W.K., Huang, R.Q., & Li, T. (2012). Deformation Analysis of a Soft-Hard Rock Contact Zone Surrounding a Tunnel. Tunn Undergr Space Technol, 32, 190-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2012.06.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2012.06.011
Health and Safety Executive. (2024, April 1). Working Near Power Lines and Cables. HSE.
Health and Safety Executive. (2024, March 30). Underground Cables. HSE.
Hu, Z., Shen, J., Wang, Y., Guo, T., Liu, Z., & Gao, X. (2021). Cracking Characteristics and Mechanism of Entrance Section in Asymmetrically-Load Tunnel with Bedded Rock Mass: A Case Study of a Highway Tunnel in Southwest China. Eng Fail Anal, 122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105221 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105221
Hung, J., Monsees, N., Munfah, N., & Wisniewski, J. (2009). Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels-Civil Elements. National Highway Institute, 702.
Industrial Scientific. (2024, March 29). Acceptable and Dangerous Gas Levels in Confined Spaces.
Iowa State University Environmental Health and Safety. (2024). Ergonomic Risk Factors.
Jazayeri, E., & Dadi, G.B. (2017). Construction Safety Management Systems and Methods of Safety Performance Management: A Review. Journal of Safety Engineering, 2, 15-28.
Kim, S.H. (1996). Model Testing and Analysis of Interactions Between Tunnels in Clay. United States: Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford.
Kong, C., Gao, X., Cao, L., & Liu, K. (2016). Analysis of the Failure of Primary Support of a Deep-Buried Railway Tunnel in Silty Clay. Eng Fail Anal, 66, 259-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2016.04.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2016.04.008
LRQA. (2024, April 11). Fatalities in Confined Spaces: Do We Have Tunnel Vision?
Li, M., Yu, H., Jin, H., & Liu, P. (2018). Methodologies of Safety Risk Control for China's Metro Construction Based on BIM. Saf Sci, 110, 418-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.03.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.03.026
Li, T., He, Y., & Fu, X. (2019). Dynamic Risk Assessment Method and Application of Large Deformation of High Ground Stress Tunnel During Construction Period. J Eng Geol, 27(1), 29-37.
Liang, D.X., Jiang, Z.Q., Zhu, S.Y., Sun, Q., & Qian, Z.W. (2016). Experimental Research on Water Inrush in Tunnel Construction. Nat Hazards, 81(1), 467-480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-2090-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-2090-2
Liang, Y., & Liu, Q. (2022). Early Warning and Real-Time Control of Construction Safety Risk of Underground Engineering based on Building Information Modeling and Internet of Things. Neural Comput Applic, 34(5), 3433-3442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-021-05755-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-021-05755-8
Liu, H.L., Li, P., & Liu, J.Y. (2011). Numerical Investigation of Underlying Tunnel Heave During a New Tunnel Construction. Tunn Undergr Space Technol, 26, 276-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2010.10.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2010.10.002
Liu, H.Y., Small, J.C., Carter, J.P., & Williams, D.J. (2009). Effects of Tunneling on Existing Support Systems of Perpendicularly Crossing Tunnels. Comput Geotechnics, 36, 880-894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2009.01.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2009.01.013
Liu, W., Zhao, T., Zhou, W., & Tang, J. (2018). Safety Risk Factors of Metro Tunnel Construction in China: An Integrated Study with EFA and SEM. Saf Sci, 105, 98-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.01.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.01.009
Lotysz, S. (2010). Immersed Tunnel Technology: A Brief History of its Development. Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports, 4, 97-110.
National Academy of Engineering. (2010). Technology for a Quieter America. Chapter 4: Control of Hazardous Noise. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
PIARC. (2024, April 20). Emergency Response. Tunnels Manual.
Pro Choice Safety Gear. (2024, April 20). Alarm Over Silica Exposure Among Tunnel and Construction Workers.
Qian, Q., & Lin, P. (2016). Safety Risk Management of Underground Engineering in China: Progress, Challenges and Strategies. J Rock Mech Geotechnical Eng, 8(4), 423-442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.04.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.04.001
Rodriguez Diez-Caballero, B., Alfonso-Beltrán, J., Bautista, I. J., & Barrios, C. (2020). Occupational Risk Factors for Shoulder Chronic Tendinous Pathology in the Spanish Automotive Manufacturing Sector: A Case-Control Study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 21(1), 818. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03801-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03801-5
Safe Work Australia. (2024, February 2). Guide for Tunnelling Work.
Siang, L.Y., Ghazali, F.E.M., Zainun, N.Y., & Ali, R. (2017). General Risks for Tunneling Projects: An Overview. AIP Conf Proc, 1892. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5005730 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5005730
Whittle, A.J. (2006). Nicoll Highway Collapse: Evaluation of Geotechnical Factors Affecting Design of Excavation Support System. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Deep Excavation.
Wu, P., Yang, F., Zheng, J., & Wei, Y. (2019). Evaluating the Highway Tunnel Construction in Western Sichuan Plateau Considering Vocational Health and Environment. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(23), 4671. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234671 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234671
Xu, Z., Cai, N., Li, X., Xian, M., & Dong, T. (2021). Risk Assessment of Loess Tunnel Collapse During Construction Based on An Attribute Recognition Model. Bull Eng Geol Environ, 80(8), 6205-6220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02300-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02300-8
Yu, J., Zhong, D., Ren, B., Tong, D., & Hong, K. (2017). Probabilistic Risk Analysis of Diversion Tunnel Construction Simulation. Computer-Aided Civ Infrastructure Eng, 32(9), 748-771. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12276 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12276
Zhang, H., Chen, L., Chen, S., Sun, J., & Yang, J. (2018). The Spatiotemporal Distribution Law of Micro Seismic Events and Rockburst Characteristics of the Deeply Buried Tunnel Group. Energies, 11(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/en11123257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en11123257
Zhao, Y., Shi, Y., & Yang, J. (2021a). Study of the Concrete Lining Cracking Affected by Adjacent Tunnel and Oblique Bedded Rock Mass. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng, 45(4), 2853-2860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00710-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00710-y
Zhao, Y., Zhang, C., Wang, Y., & Lin, H. (2021b). Shear-Related Roughness Classification and Strength Model of Natural Rock Joint Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2020.104550 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2020.104550
Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, W., Liu, Q., Tang, L., & Cheng, G. (2020). Experimental Study on Shear Behavior and a Revised Shear Strength Model for Infilled Rock Joints. Int J Geomech, 20(9). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001781 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001781
Zheng, B.C., Cheng, W.B., & Hu, G.W. (2009). Analysis and Monitoring of Ground Subsidence Caused by Excavation of Adjacent and Crossing Metro Tunnel with Shallow-Depth and Subsurface Excavation Method. J Railw Eng Soc, 124, 72-76.
Zheng, H., Li, P., & Ma, G. (2021). Stability Analysis of the Middle Soil Pillar for Asymmetric Parallel Tunnels by Using Model Testing and Numerical Simulations. Tunn Undergr Space Technol, 108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103686 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103686
Zheng, H., Li, P., Ma, G., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Characteristics for Linings of Twins Tunnels with Asymmetric Cross Section. Tunn Undergr Space Technol, 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104209 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104209
Zhou, Z., Goh, Y.M., & Li, Q. (2015). Overview and Analysis of Safety Management Studies in the Construction Industry. Saf Sci, 72, 337-350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.10.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.10.006
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ahmad Baghdadi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
License and Copyright Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- That its release has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
Copyright
Authors who publish with International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors can enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or edit it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
For More info, please visit CopyRight Section
