Operate tunnel boring machines to construct tunnels

This standard is about operating tunnel boring machines to construct tunnels.

Operatives working to this standard will be able to demonstrate and understand safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, select and use materials, components, tools and equipment, in accordance with organisational requirements which comply with current legislation and standards.

This standard is for people working in the occupational area of tunnelling operations and can be used by operatives, supervisors, and managers.

Interpretation of information
P1 interpret the information relating to the work and resources to confirm its relevance for the following:

• drawings
• computer generated data
• task briefings
• risk assessments
• method statements
• manufacturer’s information

Organising and communicating
P2 organise the sequencing of the work relating to the following:

• organising own work
• communicating with team members and other associated occupations about the machinery operation and the work to be carried out

Safe work practices
P3 comply with the current legislation and standards to carry out the work and maintain safe systems of work relating to the following:

• methods of work
• safe use of health and safety control equipment
• safe use of access equipment or systems
• safe use of tunnel access and egress systems
• safe use, storage, and handling of materials, plant, tools, and machinery
• specific risks to occupational health and wellbeing, including mental health

Selection of resources
P4 select the correct quantity and quality of the following resources for the methods of work:

• tools and equipment
• plant or machinery
• consumables and materials

Minimise the risk of damage
P5 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the work, and environment by:

• protecting the work
• maintaining a safe, clear, and tidy, work space
• disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation

Meet the methods of work
P6 comply with the method statement to operate tunnel boring machines (TBM) to construct tunnels to the required specification by:

• demonstrating work skills to:
  • check
  • evaluate
  • adjust
  • communicate
  • align
  • manoeuvre
  • position
  • construct
• using and maintaining plant, machinery, tools, and equipment
• preparing and operating TBMs to construct tunnels to working instructions
• analysing and processing computer generated data
• isolating, shutting down and securing the machine

Allocated time
P7 complete the work within the estimated and allocated time in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work, and to meet the needs of other occupations and the client

P1 Interpretation of information
K1 why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented
K2 the importance of reporting and rectifying inappropriate information
K3 types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:

• drawings
• computer generated data
• task briefings
• risk assessments
• method statements
• manufacturer’s information
• oral and written
• standards
• organisational procedures
• current legislation

K4 the range of relevant digital services and how they are used including:

• digital tools
• digital systems

P2 Organising and communicating
K5 why it is important to discuss and communicate the sequencing of work relating to:

• organising own work
• communicating with team members and other occupations about the machinery operation and the work to be carried out including:
  • electronic data
  • briefings

P3 Safe work practices
K6 information for current legislation and standards and how it is applied
K7 the different types of fire safety equipment
K8 how emergencies should be responded to in accordance with organisational authorisation, and personal skills, including but not limited to the following:

• fires, spillages, injuries
• gases and ventilation
• emergencies relating to occupational activities
• identification and reporting of hazardous substances

K9 the organisational procedures relating to security of machinery, plant, tools, equipment, and personal belongings, in relation to:

• workforce
• site
• workplace
• company
• vehicles
• the general public

K10 how to report risks and hazards relating to the following:

• methods of work
• risk assessment
• personal risk assessment
• dealing with unsafe situations
• manufacturer’s technical information
• task and tool box talks
• statutory regulations
• standards

K11 the incident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making the report
K12 why, when, and how health and safety control equipment, identified by the principles of prevention should be used, in relation to:

• collective protective measures
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• ventilation

K13 how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and standards
K14 the organisational procedures when dealing with potential incidents, safety hazards, health hazards, and the environmental impact, whilst working:

• in the workplace
• below ground level
• in confined spaces
• at height
• with temporary works
• in a compressed air environment
• with machinery, plant, tools, and equipment
• with materials and substances
• with the movement and lifting of materials and equipment by mechanical and manual means
• with the safe handling and storing of materials, including explosives

P4 Selection of resources
K15 why the limitations, quality, and sustainability, of resources is important and how defects should be rectified
K16 why the resources have been selected and how they are used
K17 how to confirm the resources conform with the specified task
K18 how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:

• consumables, lubricants, attachments, and aids for construction work
• plant, machinery, tools, and equipment

K19 how to identify the hazards associated with the resources and methods of work and how they are controlled

P5 Minimise the risk of damage
K20 how to protect work, and the environment from damage and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, and other occupations
K21 why and how, the safe disposal of waste must be carried out in accordance with the following:

• environmental responsibilities
• organisational procedures
• manufacturer’s information
• statutory regulations
• standards

K22 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear, and tidy, work space
K23 how to comply with the method statement in relation to the following:

• how to identify the characteristics of the TBM used for the construction of tunnels
• how to identify and report geological, environmental, and material changes
• how to carry out pre-operational checks for obstructions, stability, safety, and security of the work
• how to check operating systems on the TBM and associated back up
• how to carry out the tunnelling operation using a TBM
• how to identify issues with consumables, construction activities, and the use of relevant equipment
• how to check visually to avoid damage to structures and utilities service apparatus
• why it is important to be aware of the potential for buried structures and items (including unexploded ordnance and burial grounds)
• how to operate hydraulic systems
• how to interpret, analyse, and process, the visual display and computer data systems to advance the machine’s operation
• how to operate the machine with the given parameters
• why it is important to identify working parameters (ground pressures and strata changes)
• how to identify and control alignment and rate of advance
• how to adjust machine settings as required to maintain alignment
• why it is important to identify and follow the installation quality requirements
• why it is important to record and report information
• why it is important to recognise and determine when specialist skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly
• how to isolate, shut down, and secure the TBM
• why it is important to place the TBM into a safe mode for intervention
• how to follow the safe system of work to place the TBM into a safe mode for intervention
• how to carry out long term shutdown of the TBM
• how to deal with adverse ground conditions
• how to deal with hazardous energy sources including but not limited to:
  • electricity
  • compressed air
  • hydraulics
  • pressurised liquids
  • equipment under tension
• the limits of your own authority
• how to use machinery, plant, tools, and equipment
• how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and machinery
• how to work at height
• what the requirements are for working in a confined space
• how to use access equipment
• how and why operative care and maintenance of machinery, plant, tools, and equipment is carried out

K24 the importance of occupational health, and wellbeing, including mental health
K25 the importance of applying Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) when dealing with others
K26 the needs of other occupations associated with operating tunnel boring machines to construct tunnels

P7 Allocated time
K27 the programme of work to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time and why deadlines should be kept