The development of modern combined road-rail transport in Europe involves the boring of long tunnels, especially through the Alps. From a health and safety perspective, these works are certainly critical, because of the large number of rock formations which might contain asbestos. The distribution of asbestos minerals is highly irregular and incompatible with geostatistical models. Consequently, when the presence of asbestos is probable but not confirmed during tunnel excavation work, the only evaluation method is to test samples of the excavated materials and dusts and examine the results. The delay between the start of emissions caused by excavation and the availability of the results of instrumental checks can lead to significant uncontrolled dispersion of the fibres on underground worksites. This therefore raises the problem of protecting workers’ health during the time necessary to verify the presence of asbestos. The joint research carried out by TELT, the Polytechnic University and the University of Turin has evaluated the use of ventilation-assisted respiratory protection on a mechanical excavation worksite, La Maddalena exploratory tunnel, where asbestos has never been detected. In particular, the possible conditions of use and causes of discomfort when using respiratory protective equipment were studied using a specially designed questionnaire. The paper presents the results of the survey, which can prove a useful reference in managing workers’ health and safety.

Excavation mécanique dans des formations rocheuses susceptibles de contenir de l'amiante: tests préliminaires et résultats des respirateurs à ventilation assistée THP3 dans la galerie de reconnaissance de La Maddalena du projet Tunnel Euralpin Lyon – Turin / Sorlini, Achile; Patrucco, Mario; Pira, Enrico; Nebbia, Rebecca; Garzaro, Giacomo. - (2021). (Intervento presentato al convegno XVIème Congrès international de l’association française des tunnels et de l’espace souterrain, AFTES 2020 posposte à AFTES 2021 tenutosi a Paris nel 6-8 Septembre 2021).

Excavation mécanique dans des formations rocheuses susceptibles de contenir de l'amiante: tests préliminaires et résultats des respirateurs à ventilation assistée THP3 dans la galerie de reconnaissance de La Maddalena du projet Tunnel Euralpin Lyon – Turin

Mario Patrucco;Rebecca Nebbia;
2021

Abstract

The development of modern combined road-rail transport in Europe involves the boring of long tunnels, especially through the Alps. From a health and safety perspective, these works are certainly critical, because of the large number of rock formations which might contain asbestos. The distribution of asbestos minerals is highly irregular and incompatible with geostatistical models. Consequently, when the presence of asbestos is probable but not confirmed during tunnel excavation work, the only evaluation method is to test samples of the excavated materials and dusts and examine the results. The delay between the start of emissions caused by excavation and the availability of the results of instrumental checks can lead to significant uncontrolled dispersion of the fibres on underground worksites. This therefore raises the problem of protecting workers’ health during the time necessary to verify the presence of asbestos. The joint research carried out by TELT, the Polytechnic University and the University of Turin has evaluated the use of ventilation-assisted respiratory protection on a mechanical excavation worksite, La Maddalena exploratory tunnel, where asbestos has never been detected. In particular, the possible conditions of use and causes of discomfort when using respiratory protective equipment were studied using a specially designed questionnaire. The paper presents the results of the survey, which can prove a useful reference in managing workers’ health and safety.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
AFTES00292_Sorlini.pdf

embargo fino al 15/12/2024

Tipologia: 2a Post-print versione editoriale / Version of Record
Licenza: PUBBLICO - Tutti i diritti riservati
Dimensione 1.2 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.2 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11583/2945560