Guidelines for Improved Risk Management in Tunneling – Ep 060

In this episode, we talk to Robert (Bob) Goodfellow, P.E., the President of Aldea Services Inc., about risk management in tunneling and some of the things tunnel engineers can do to get the most out of risk management. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Bob: What does a tunneling engineer do? What are some of the fundamentals/guidelines for tunneling risk management and how does the process work? What are the major internal and external risks that affect the growth of the tunnel construction industry? What are some of the things tunnel engineers can do to get the most out of risk management? How does safety fit with risk management? What are some of the benefits of managing risk properly in tunnel projects? What do you think the future holds for the tunneling industry? What advice would you like to give to tunneling engineers out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Guidelines for Improved Risk Management in Tunneling: A tunneling engineer has the set of skills required to create space underground and keep it open long enough for it to become functional as a facility. It involves digging a hole and keeping the hole open for other people to install what needs to be installed, like tracks, highways, and other forms of infrastructure. The general perception is that tunnel projects are always late and over budget, but it is not entirely correct. The process and fundamentals of risk management are that you try to identify all the risks on a project ahead of time. The fundamentals of risk management are the three-step process of avoiding, mitigating, and allocating. If you can avoid risk, then do so. The mitigate step is trying to minimize the impact and likelihood of occurrence of all the risks. What you cannot fully mitigate must be allocated between all the parties involved in a contract. The Underground Construction Association (UCA) deals with the internal risks for the tunnel construction industry and attracts more young engineers into the industry. Staffing is a large problem in the industry, and contractors are having difficulty finding trained craftspeople such as electricians and carpenters. Many professionals are weary of tunneling because they have a perception that they will be disappearing into a hole in the ground. The only external risk in tunneling is money. There is a need for tunneling and there are many projects in the planning stage, but they battle to get funding for the projects. Tunnel engineers can get the most out of risk management by changing their mindset and committing to the risk management process. The job hazard analysis, safety talks, and crane lift schedule are all tools to manage the risk of construction. The planning process is, within itself, a risk management process. Tunneling is now as safe, if not safer, than general construction as far as injury and fatality rates are concerned. Safety means you are working more efficiently and quickly while you are saving money, and everyone gets to go home at the end of the day. The future of tunneling is looking very bright. Taking many kinds of infrastructure and putting them underground is the future of tunneling. The bigger the urban areas get, the bigger the need for transit systems becomes. Reliable water supply and wastewater systems are needed to help bring third-world countries out of poverty by reducing the spread of disease and improving sanitation. There are decades of growth ahead for the tunneling industry. The most important thing in a career is to not ever despair because there is always a pathway for you to follow. More Details in This Episode… About the Guest: Robert (Bob) Goodfellow, P.E. Robert is the President of Aldea Services Inc.