Two geologists die after under-construction underground water tunnel collapses in Chiang Mai

[webfact]

Two geologists die after under-construction underground water tunnel collapses

 

 

CHIANG MAI: -- Two geologists working for the Italian-Thai Development Co Ltd in Chiang Mai were killed after an under-construction water tunnel collapsed in Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai this morning.

 

The tunnel is under excavation to divert water from Mae Ngad Somboonchon dam to Mae Kuang Udomtara dam.

 

The geologists, Pratomporn Siriwat, and Pratchayawat Wasu-anan, were in the tunnel to inspect the soil.

 

As both walked along the 4.2 metres wide tunnel, the tunnel collapsed and buried them underneath.

 

Rescue workers managed to pull them out after they were already dead.

 

Authorities said they believed the two geologists went to inspect the tunnel on untimely period as supporting steel structures have not yet been put in to support the soil ceiling.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-geologists-die-after-under-construction-underground-water-tunnel-collapses/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-03-02

[trogers]

Experience is not taught in text books...

[PETERTHEEATER]

Where's the usual green cross banner sign stating Safety First?

 

Not heard of this tunnel before but judging from its length I would have though that a tunnel boring machine would have been used. Perhaps the geology along the bore line is unsuitable for machine hence the manual cutting and blasting?

[catinthehat]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Where's the usual green cross banner sign stating Safety First?

 

Not heard of this tunnel before but judging from its length I would have though that a tunnel boring machine would have been used. Perhaps the geology along the bore line is unsuitable for machine hence the manual cutting and blasting?

Yes most tunnel portals DO have the proper HSE signage and brass in station at the portal (see photo below). This signage may however be out of the field of vision in the article  photo. And the large circular equipment to the right in the photo IS in fact a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

• I work in this field and can state that proper geologists or (designated competent Person) know better than anyone when and where it is safe to enter the face zone.
• The HSE procedures should also be in place through the HSE Plan and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) as well as the Method Statement for the respective work activities.
• Possibly not qualified or Inexperienced. given the lack of signage I believe that if they were seasoned pros they would have never entered the tunnel without this in place.

Or may have been what's referred to as a "rock burst" which is an event where ground pressure forces from above the tunnel roof may cause sudden and unexpected rock/spoil to collapse.

 

Here are the OSHA Standards for Tunneling: 

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3115.html

 

Note tunnel sign in/out access shack on the left. Followed by safety signage. Supply and return ventilation duct work above. And medical ambulance (for medi-vac) and first aid clinic on the far right.

 

Unfortunately there will be an "investigation". Relieving the contractor (responsible party) of any responsibility. But the families of the victims will accept it.

Edited March 2, 2017 by catinthehat
missing text

[whatawonderfulday]

31 minutes ago, catinthehat said:

Yes most tunnel portals DO have the proper HSE signage and brass in station at the portal (see photo below). This signage may however be out of the field of vision in the article  photo. And the large circular equipment to the right in the photo IS in fact a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

• I work in this field and can state that proper geologists or (designated competent Person) know better than anyone when and where it is safe to enter the face zone.
• The HSE procedures should also be in place through the HSE Plan and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) as well as the Method Statement for the respective work activities.
• Possibly not qualified or Inexperienced. given the lack of signage I believe that if they were seasoned pros they would have never entered the tunnel without this in place.

Or may have been what's referred to as a "rock burst" which is an event where ground pressure forces from above the tunnel roof may cause sudden and unexpected rock/spoil to collapse.

 

Here are the OSHA Standards for Tunneling: 

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3115.html

 

Note tunnel sign in/out access shack on the left. Followed by safety signage. Supply and return ventilation duct work above. And medical ambulance (for medi-vac) and first aid clinic on the far right.

 

Unfortunately there will be an "investigation". Relieving the contractor (responsible party) of any responsibility. But the families of the victims will accept it.

 

 

Be mindful that this was Italian-Thai company whose safety record  is appalling even by Thai standards.  Mind you given who some of the main shareholders are , nothing much will change anytime soon.

[Belzybob]

Never let geos underground without somebody holding their hand.

[Elkski]

There is so much randomness in a mountain of earth.  Cave ins occur and sometimes nothing could have predicted this.  Just the fact that there were two geologists going in to examine something indicates there was a possible issue with the soil type.  May they rest in peace.   

[Rhys]

RIP....

[chainarong]

Working Out Under unsupported  ground , big no, no. sack able offence in OZ straight out the door, for those not in the know there's special equipment that bolts and meshes the ground to give added support, then you can go out.

[superal]

The tunnel boring machines that I know of , all erect the tunnel liner segments as the tunnel boring progresses and is part of their function which is critical as a safety feature . So this tbm was purely boring ?  Whatever happened the contractor's safety procedures must have been ignored from the start, i.e. raising an entry permit to the actual entry where there should have been a Confined Space Sentry posted with a tally board , plus everything else that  CATINTHEHAT quoted . If this was in the western world there would be a major enquiry by the Health & Safety Executive . The site would be shut down until the HSE have completed all investigations . Gaol sentences for the guys at the top for sure .

  

[Elkski]

no way do the guys at the top get time very often in the USA or anywhere unless blatant.

 

Safety is one good feature of a CBM as no explosives are needed and there is built in roof protection.

Why is the CBM machine sitting outside? All mining is very dangerous and you cant always be working in safe areas .  And no way is most mining carried out without some workers having to go into unprotected areas.  In typical drift mining using explosives. After each blast a crew has to go and find each lifter drill hole  (the ones at the bottom) to inspect for complete blast before the mucking crew can dig this out so the roof bolt crew can install the roof.

[Elkski]

http://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20170303/281599535284365

1m X 3 m rock fell. others were also hurt.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Elkski

[superal]

58 minutes ago, Elkski said:

no way do the guys at the top get time very often in the USA or anywhere unless blatant.

 

Safety is one good feature of a CBM as no explosives are needed and there is built in roof protection.

Why is the CBM machine sitting outside? All mining is very dangerous and you cant always be working in safe areas .  And no way is most mining carried out without some workers having to go into unprotected areas.  In typical drift mining using explosives. After each blast a crew has to go and find each lifter drill hole  (the ones at the bottom) to inspect for complete blast before the mucking crew can dig this out so the roof bolt crew can install the roof.

Guys at the top are hit in the UK , hence the accent on HSE .  Some sites , e.g. refineries , safety is paramount above production and you will not last long if you do not comply . Cannot fart without a permit .   

[Elkski]

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/12/363058646/coal-mines-keep-operating-despite-injuries-violations-and-millions-in-fines

 

Sure some go to jail for a short time.   It's just not an exact science.   It's a dangerous job.  

[localczar]

"Unfortunately there will be an "investigation". Relieving the contractor (responsible party) of any responsibility. But the families of the victims will accept it..."

 

555, too much.

 

Unfortunately some will get blamed now,

 

This is worse than the 3 stooges!