A ROUGH RIDE AHEAD FOR TUNNEL DRIVERS

Progress in constructing the channel tunnel is described. Three of the six drives on the British side are underway and making good progress after a slow start. All five of the French drives are also underway. Problems encountered in the service tunnel have enabled modifications to be made to machinery for the main tunnels while still at the design stage. The geology has been as expected from the boreholes so far and more difficult conditions are expected. The latest problems have not been related to tunnel boring machines (tbms) or ground conditions however. Two fatalities caused within 2 weeks were agreed to have been caused by human error. A combination of heavy machinery in a restricted working space and monotonous routine are believed to have been the cause of the accidents. Details are given of the conditions under which work is carried out. The result has been an increase in the number of talks to workers to emphasise perennial and new hazards. Tunnellers are consistently asked to break records with a corresponding bonus in their paypackets. At 250m a week the service tunnel is at its peak production rate. Work above ground is well advanced with some parts completed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00107859
• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • Evamy, M
• Publication Date: 1989-5-25

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 24-5
• Serial:
  • CONTRACT JOURNAL
  • Publisher: Reed Business Information, Limited
  • ISSN: 0010-7859

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Construction; Errors; Fatalities; Fixed routes; Human factors; Safety; Tunnels; Underwater tunnels
• Geographic Terms: France; United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3655: Construction; 6440: Error; 1602: Fatality; 3363: Fixed link (transmaritime); 8036: France; 2257: Human factor; 1665: Safety; 3374: Tunnel; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00498155
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM