A tunnel is an underground passage or opening that is:
- close to horizontal, and
- starts at ground level or at an excavation.
The work includes making the tunnel and supporting systems (like a ventilation system) and other temporary work.
PCBU specific duties
Risk management
Tunnelling work is dangerous. Some of the most common tunnelling hazards are:
- Tunnel stability, including rock or earth falls and rock bursts.
- Changing ground conditions, including strata and stress fluctuations.
- Limited space and access, including confined spaces.
- Air contamination or oxygen depletion.
- Fire or explosion.
- Using fixed and powered mobile plant.
- Hazardous substances.
You must, so far as is reasonably practicable, manage the risks associated with tunnelling.
Licences
Tunnelling can involve:
- Demolition
- Asbestos removal
- High risk work, and
- Using explosives.
These work activities require a high-risk work licence. As a PCBU, you must ensure that workers have the relevant licence before undertaking the work.
Safe work method statement (SWMS)
Some tunnelling work is high risk construction work. For example, where:
- There is any movement of powered mobile plant.
- There is a risk of a person falling more than 2 meters.
- The work involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos.
- The work is carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere.
As a PCBU, you must ensure you prepare a safe work method statement (SWMS) before your workers begin high risk construction work. For more information on SWMS, please see our information sheet. To learn more about how to prepare a SWMS, please click here to access the interactive SWMS tool.
For more information
Model Codes of Practice
- Excavation Work
- Construction Work
- How to safely remove asbestos
- How to manage work health and safety risks
Other resources
- Guide for tunnelling work
- Safe Work Australia webpage - Tunnelling
