Initial findings of a survey launched in February 2018 by ITIG, the International Tunnelling Insurance Group, with the aim of reviewing the penetration and effectiveness of the International Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works expressed a preference for an update or revision of the Code and to include consideration in particular to the application of instrumentation and monitoring and to BIM (building information models) systems.

Survey investigated need for updating of the International Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works

The survey, which was targeted at all relevant parties including clients, designers, contractors and insurers, attracted more than 100 responses from contributors in more than 20 countries of the world with feedback on the application and experience of the ITIG Code or other risk management approaches. About two thirds of respondents were representing the tunnelling industry with the remaining third representing the insurance industry.

The survey was launched with the support of the relevant professional bodies including the ITA (International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association), the IMIA (International Association of Engineering Insurers) and the BTS (British Tunnelling Society) which, with the ABI (Association of British Insurers), compiled and published The Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works in the UK that provided the foundation on which the international Code was based.

Engagement with the survey by respondents was best illustrated by the more than 500 qualitative comments received and the high number, 67%, requesting to be in some way involved in any future revision of the Code. “The responses confirm that the survey has real validity,” said Patrick Bravery, Chairman of ITIG.

A substantial majority of more than 90% of responses report that risk management, supported by other initiatives such as Geotechnical Baseline Reports, Health & Safety legislation and the sharing of lessons learned, has had a positive impact on the industry. Formal risk management processes appear to be widespread and to represent best practice on most projects and in most areas of the world. “However it appears that more work is required to derive the full benefit at site level, to optimise the management of risk, as opposed to the processes of risk management,” said Bravery. Other notable trends were concerns with competence and expertise of both technical and risk professionals.

A 73% majority of respondents expressed a preference for an update or revision of the Code and the suggested changes were welcomed. Consideration to instrumentation and monitoring on tunnelling projects and to BIM (Building Information Models) were both strongly endorsed. Other qualitative comments contained many valuable suggestions.

“As the next step, ITIG needs to review all the feedback in more detail and analyse the extensive qualitative commentary in particular,” said Bravery. “It is too soon to conclude with certainty - and pending the detailed analysis - but it would appear that a limited review and update of the Code is appropriate. However, given the generally positive feedback, it is not envisaged that the fundamental concept, scope or structure of the Code will be changed.”

Professionals in the international tunneling and underground space design and construction industry are being asked and invited to contribute to the process of reviewing and revising the International Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works.

International Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works
Click image to download a copy of Code

The aim of the work is to review the penetration and effectiveness of the Code around the world and to revise the practice guidelines as necessary and required. Preliminary areas for review consideration include separating the principle of the Code from the detail, adding a section on instrumentation and monitoring, recognising the role of BIM and more closely aligning the Code with other recognised risk standards such as ISO 31000.

To assist in the process professionals will provide feedback via an online survey on the application and experience of working with the Code or any other risk management approaches. The survey and instructions for completing the questionnaire is currently live and will remain so until early March 2018.

The work is being spearheaded by the International Tunnelling Insurance Group (ITIG) which comprises representatives from insurance companies, the tunnelling industry and other industry bodies including the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA), the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) and the International Association of Engineering Insurers (IMIA). The group meets as a critical conduit for knowledge sharing between the tunnelling and insurance industries and to discuss best practice in the risk management of underground infrastructure projects.

The Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works in the UK
Click image to download a copy of Code

The international Code grew out of the work completed almost 15 years ago by the BTS and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in the UK to produce the first collaborative code of practice for risk management in tunnel works. In 2003 and in response to a series of significant tunnelling incidents and insurance losses, the BTS and ABI released The Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works in the UK known colloquially as the Joint Code of Practice (JCOP). This group was effectively the fore-runner to ITIG which formed after release of the JCOP and oversaw the launch of A Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works in 2006. Known as the international Tunnel Code of Practice (TCOP), a second edition was released in 2012 to incorporate official acknowledgement by the ITA and IMIA.

The stated objective of the Code(s) is “to promote and secure best practice for the minimisation and management of risks associated with the design and construction of tunnels, caverns, shafts and associated underground structures.” It is intended as a project management tool to promote best practice in risk management and reduce the occurrence of accidents. It has been the inspiration behind the approach to risk management on numerous underground projects around the world, whether formally in contract documentation or as a benchmark reference document.

International Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works
Click image to entre the on-line survey

With nearly 15 years of experience since the first publication of the JCOP, the ITIG has been re-energised with the aim of reviewing the penetration and effectiveness of the Code(s) around the world. The scope of the review includes:

• the experience of tunnelling projects before and after the release of the Code and with and without application of the Code;
• regional variations in the application of risk management methods and
• other developments in risk management practices, including health and safety and environmental standards and legislation, and how they may have impacted the environment in which tunnelling projects have been delivered.

All industry professionals engaged by all relevant parties including insurers, contractors, designers and clients, and supported by the relevant professional bodies (BTS, IMIA and ITA), are invited to submit information, feedback and comments on the survey. Once the responses have been reviewed, ITIG will consider whether any revisions to the Code are required or appropriate.