Developing a Cost-Effective and Adaptive Training Program to Enhance Construction Safety in Tunneling Construction

Uncertain ground conditions, confined working space, high turnover rate of specialized construction crews increase safety hazards and risks in tunneling. This paper discusses the importance of devising up-to-date and cost-effective adaptive training programs upon enhancing construction safety in tunneling. An adaptive framework is proposed for customizing communication/training tools by site safety personnel while also being capable of keeping feedback from the user end (site trades, project people). The proposed framework comprises three primary sections. Section one presents a training content preparation platform; section two is the safety training content organization; section three presents the systematic and adaptive approach to put the contents into use. A well-organized safety training module is also elaborated, which facilitates knowledge sharing on best work practices in a tunnel under construction or in service. The proposed safety training module architecture emphasizes on increasing awareness, skills building, and action plan. The training program which follows the proposed training architecture ensures that after completing the total training session, the participants can gain comprehensive knowledge in: (1) What and how generic safety-related measures and procedures take place at the work-face space inside tunnel, top of launch shaft and bottom of the pit areas and their relevance to the tunneling operations; and (2) health, safety, occupational hazards, and personal protective equipment requirements in the tunneling environment.