Analysis of health and safety risks in underground excavations: identification and evaluation by experts

Due to the restrictions to surface construction, underground works have a great evolution potential. The present article is part of a wider study, looking to analyse the “Health and Safety” criterion as a factor in the choice of tunneling method. Stemming from the first stage of that study, this article aims to describe the main risks in underground works using the two main excavation methods (Conventional e TBM), and estimate the magnitude of the risks identified through a set of interviews to technicians with more than 10 years of working experience. The risks were identified and grouped by class-this showed that some risks are more prominent than others depending on the method chosen. This study may be the starting point of further research; it will increase the scientific knowledge in this theme and it will provide an upgrading of industry’s awareness of the magnitude of risks in underground works.ORICA, Mota-Engil, SIKA, and DST for the support of R&D Project “SegOS