Safety and Health Program- Underground Construction

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Underground Construction

Scope & Application:

This program applies to construction of underground tunnels, shafts, chambers, and passageways. It also applies to cut-and-cover excavations, both those physically connected to tunnels and those that create conditions characteristic of underground construction. Hazards common to such work includes reduced natural ventilation and light; difficult or limited access and egress; exposure to air contaminants; fire; and explosion.

Workers in this type of industry suffered an average of 12 lost-time accidents for every 100 full-time workers in a year. This indicates a higher accident and injury rate in this type of business than for other workers in the construction industry

Provisions of the Standard:

The standard gives the Company the flexibility to select from a variety of appropriate and effective methods of controlling workplace hazards in underground construction. It includes a safety program focusing on instructing workers in topics appropriate to specific job sites, and also gives specific duties and responsibilities to a "competent person."

Competent Person:

A "competent person" is one capable of identifying existing and predictable workplace hazards, and who is authorized to take corrective action to eliminate them. A competent person is responsible for:

· Air monitoring.

· Testing the atmosphere for flammable limits before restoring power and equipment, and before returning to work after a ventilation system's been shut down due to hazardous levels of flammable gas or methane.

· Inspecting the work area for ground stability.

· Inspecting all drilling equipment prior to each use.

· Inspecting hauling equipment before each shift and visually checking all hoisting machinery, equipment, anchorage's, and rope at the beginning of each shift and during hoisting.

Safety Instruction:

The Company will ensure that workers are instructed on the recognition and avoidance of hazards associated with underground construction. Instruction will include the following topics, as is appropriate for the jobsite:

· Air monitoring.

· Ventilation and illumination.

· Communications.

· Flood control.

· Mechanical and personal protective equipment.

· Explosives: fire prevention and protection.

· Emergency procedures: evacuation plans and check-in/check-out procedures.

Access & Egress:

The Company will provide safe access to and egress from all workstations and prevent any unauthorized entry underground. Completed or unused sections of an underground work area will be barricaded. Unused openings will be covered, fenced off, or posted with warning signs indicating "Keep Out," or other appropriate language.

Check-in/Check-out:

The Company will maintain a check-in/check-out procedure that ensures aboveground personnel can maintain an accurate count of persons who are underground, in case of an emergency. At least one designated person will be on duty above-ground whenever anyone's working underground, and is also responsible for securing immediate aid in case of an emergency.

A check-in/check-out procedure is no longer required when the underground construction is completed to the point that permanent environmental controls are effective, and when remaining construction activity won't cause an environmental hazard or structural failure of the construction.