CEN/TC 151/WG 4 - Tunnelling machines - Safety

This European Standard is applicable to tunnelling machinery as defined in Clause 3 used for the construction of tunnels, shafts and other underground excavations.
It deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under the conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
This European Standard covers monitoring for hazardous atmospheres within the confines of the tunnelling machinery.
Hand-arm and whole-body vibration are not considered as significant hazard for tunnelling machinery.
The following items and applications are not covered by this European Standard:
-   The additional requirements for the use of tunnelling machinery under hyperbaric conditions;
-   the additional requirements for use of tunnelling machinery in potentially explosive atmospheres;
NOTE      For the application in potentially explosive atmospheres see EN 1710:2005+A1:2008 for guidance.
-   ancillary tools and equipment which are not an integral part of the tunnelling machinery but used on or with the machinery;
-   services (e.g. power supply, water, pipes, compressed air, etc.) supplied to the tunnelling machinery;
-   loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the tunnelling machinery, e.g. man riders, locomotives, grout cars, segment cars, muck cars and shaft hoisting equipment.
This European Standard is not applicable to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers.
This European Standard is not applicable to tunnelling machinery which is manufactured before the date of publication of this European Standard by CEN.

This European Standard applies to the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks as defined in 3.3 including pressure bulkheads as defined in 3.4, which are to be used in tunnelling work. An oxygen breathing system used to provide the breathing supply necessary to conduct a safe decompression is also covered by this standard.
This European Standard is not applicable to machinery and equipment which is manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
NOTE   Air locks can be connected to tunnelling machinery. This standard can help the design of air locks and bulkheads in other compressed air work in construction.
This European Standard deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
This European Standard does not cover the supply of services to the air lock.
Vibration, noise and EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) hazards are not significant hazards for air locks.
This European Standard does not cover the hazards due to the mobility of the machinery.

This European Standard deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to road headers and continuous miners as defined in Clause 3 (here in after called machines) when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
NOTE 1   Within the intended use, overturning of the road header or continuous miner is not a significant hazard.
Excavators are out of the scope of this standard and are covered by EN 474 1:2006+A4:2013 and EN 474 5:2006+A3:2013.
The following items and applications are not covered by this European Standard:
—   the supply of electricity up to the switch box;
—   use of the machine in potentially explosive atmospheres;
—   use of the machine under hyperbaric conditions;
—   loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the machine.
This European Standard covers incorporation of monitoring devices for hazardous atmospheres.
This European Standard is not applicable to machines manufactured before the date of publication of this European Standard by CEN.
NOTE 2   Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC. For the application in potentially explosive atmospheres see EN 1710:2005+A1:2008.

This document is applicable to tunnel boring machines and associated machines and equipment as defined in Clause 3 used for the primary purpose of creating an underground void through the construction of horizontal and inclined tunnels and other underground excavations.
NOTE 1    Other underground excavations can include access structures to complex tunnel layouts such as in underground stations, utilities, underground storage facilities as well as below ground tunnel portals.
It deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under the conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see 4).
This document covers monitoring for hazardous atmospheres within the confines of the tunnel boring machines.
Requirements for air locks and pressurized transfer shuttles are covered by prEN 12110-1:2023 and prEN 12110-2:2023.
Hand-arm and whole-body vibration are not considered as significant hazards for tunnel boring machines.
The following items and applications are not covered by this document:
-   the additional requirements for the use of entire tunnelling machinery within a hyperbaric environment;
-   the additional requirements for use of tunnel boring machines in potentially explosive atmospheres;
NOTE 2    For the application in potentially explosive atmospheres, see EN ISO/IEC 80079 38:2016 for guidance.
-   ancillary tools and equipment which are not an integral part of the tunnel boring machine, but located on the machinery;
-   supply network for services to the tunnel boring machine (e.g. power supply, water, pipes, compressed air, ventilation duct, etc.);
-   loading and transport machinery which is not an integral part of the tunnel boring machine, e.g. delivery vehicle for logistic support, tunnel spoil removal system;
-   EMC interactions between the tunnelling machinery and third-party surface and underground assets, e.g. railway signalling.
This document is not applicable to tunnel boring machines which are manufactured before the date of publication of this European Standard by CEN.

This document applies to the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks, as defined in 3.3, which form an integral part of a tunnel boring machine. It covers requirements for personnel locks utilizing compressed air as the pressurizing or breathing medium along with requirements for oxygen breathing systems for decompression purposes. The intended use is restricted to the temperature range 5 °C to 50 °C.
This document also applies to the design, fabrication and testing of pressure bulkheads intended for use in forming in-tunnel or in-shaft air locks.
In addition, this document extends to control functions and control information relating to intermediate chambers (defined in prEN 12110-2:2023, 3.7) (if fitted) but which are accessed via the personnel lock control panel.
prEN 12110-2 sets out additional requirements to those in Part 1, for personnel locks which are intended to have the capability to utilize non-air breathing mixtures such as nitrox, trimix and heliox. prEN 12110 2 sets out additional requirements for personnel locks intended to be used for saturation exposure techniques at pressures not exceeding 20 bar(g) associated with tunnelling work. It also sets out requirements for pressurized transfer shuttles as defined in 3.3.5.
The intended use of the machinery is agreed between the manufacturer and the user taking into account information on intended use, intended location of use, intended exposure techniques and intended decompression procedures, all provided by the user.
Air locks are normally connected to or incorporated in tunnel boring machines and consequently there are a number of interfaces between machinery covered by this standard and machinery covered by prEN 16191:2022. These interfaces are identified in both standards as appropriate.
This document is not applicable to machinery and equipment which is manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
NOTE 1   Air locks can be formed by the construction of one or more bulkheads in a tunnel secured to the tunnel lining. However, although the equipment required for tunnel air locks will be similar to that for TBM air locks, prEN 12110-1:2023 applies only to the design, fabrication and testing of bulkheads in this situation.
NOTE 2   Air locks can also be attached to an air deck in a shaft. Again, although the equipment required for such air locks will be similar to that for TBM air locks, prEN 12110-1:2023 applies only to the design, fabrication and testing of bulkheads (air decks) in shafts.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex A).
The supply of compressed air and oxygen to the air lock is partly within the scope of prEN 12110-1:2023 and partly within the scope of prEN 16191:2022 and this division is clearly indicated within the text of both standards.
Vibration, noise and EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) hazards are not significant hazards for air locks.

This document sets out additional requirements to those in prEN 12110-1 for personnel locks which are intended to have the capability for mixed gas breathing techniques or saturation techniques at pressures not exceeding 20 bar(g) and associated with tunnelling work. This document also sets out requirements for pressurized transfer shuttles as defined in 3.1.
prEN 12110-1 applies to the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks, as defined in 3.3, in tunnelling. prEN 12110-1 also covers requirements for manlocks utilizing compressed air as the pressurizing and breathing medium along with requirements for oxygen breathing systems for decompression purposes.
Air locks are normally an integral part of TBMs. Hence there are interfaces between the scope of prEN 12110-1:2023 and prEN 16191:2022. These are detailed in Clause 4 of this document.
The intended use of the machinery is agreed between the manufacturer and the user taking into account information on intended use, exposure techniques and decompression procedures provided by the user.
This document is not applicable to machinery and equipment which is manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
NOTE   This document can help the design of air locks and bulkheads in other compressed air work in construction.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex A).
This document does not cover the supply of services to the air lock from beyond the defined prEN 12110 1:2023/prEN 16191:2022 interface. This interface is set out in the text.
Vibration, noise and EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) hazards are not significant hazards for air locks.
The provision of mixed gas, air or oxygen is the responsibility of the user.
During transfer under pressure operations, the shuttle requires a fire suppression system, a climate control system, a power supply and a gas supply. Of these, the fire suppression system requires to be continuously connected and available for immediate activation. It is therefore considered to be part of the shuttle equipment covered by this standard as is the power supply. For the other two services only the capability to supply them is considered to be part of the shuttle requirements.

1.1   Description of the machines
This European Standard is applicable to all types of shield machines and associated back up equipment, thrust boring machines, auger boring machines and lining erection equipment. It specifies the essential safety requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, and information for use of such machines.
Shield machines and associated back up equipment include:
-   open shields for both manual and mechanical excavation;
-   shielded tunnel boring machines;
-   micro tunnelling machines;
-   towed or stationary back up equipment;
-   pipe jacking equipment.
All shield machines provide lateral and radial ground support. In addition they may provide various types of face support and ground water control (see Clause 3).
Certain associated matters are not included in the scope of the standard:
-   additional equipment which may form an integral part of a shield machine or back up equipment and is used for compressed air (hyperbaric/plenum) working (see EN 12110:2002);
-   use under hyperbaric conditions;
-   the supply of electricity up to the machine;
-   ancillary tools and equipment used for, at or on the machine;
-   electromagnetic compatibility;
-   loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the machine, e.g. rolling stock, man riders, grout cars, segment cars, muck cars.
NOTE   Within the European Union Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present document is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC.
1.2   Hazards
This European Standard deals with significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to shield machines and associated back up equipment, thrust boring machines and auger boring machines when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen

1.1   Field of application
This standard is applicable to unshieldsed tunnel boring machines, TBM's, and rodless shaft boring machines, SBM's, and their towed or attached back-up equipment for driving tunnels or shafts in rock where the whole area is excavated in one or more steps by mechanical means. It specifies essential safety requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of such machines when used in non-explosive atmosphere together with the methods of verification. The standard specifies monitoring for hazardous atmosphere.
For TBM's and SBM's which are to be used continuously in explosive atmosphere, additional relevant standards also apply.
This European Standard deals with all significant hazards pertinent to unshielded tunnel boring machines and rodless shaft boring machines for rock, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This European Standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards.
1.2   Description of the machines
The general term "unshielded tunnel boring machines" encompasses various kinds of machines for mechanical excavation of underground openings such as tunnels and inclined shafts. This is done in a continuous process, without blasting, using a rotating cutter head.
Depending on the hardness of the material being excavated, tools of different types are used to cut the rock. Normally, rolling discs are employed in medium to very hard rock. All tunnel boring machines, TBM's, and rodless shaft boring machines, SBM's, have the tools mounted on a cutter head which rotates under thrust against the rock. The torque required to rotate the cutter head is developed by electric or hydraulic motors and the thrust is normally delivered by hydraulically powered cylinders.
The torque and thrust reactions created by a TBM or SBM have to be resisted by anchoring the complete machine inside the bore itself by means

This European Standard applies for the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks and pressure bulkheads, which are to be used in tunnelling work.
The oxygen breathing installation used to provide the breathing supply necessary to conduct a safe decompression is also covered by this standard.
1.2   This standard deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to air locks and pressure bulkheads, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards.
1.3   This document is not applicable to machinery which is manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.

Description of the machine
This European Standard specifies all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards. This European Standard is applicable to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers used in tunnelling and underground mining.
Certain associated matters are not included in the scope of this standard:
-   the supply of electricity up to the machine;
-   the provision of a cab or similar accommodation for an operator;
-   ancillary tools and equipment used for, at or on the machine;
-   equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres;
-   any method for monitoring gases in the atmosphere of the tunnel or other workplace;
-   the method of calculation of the design of any part described or the verification of this;
-   loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the machine;
-   electromagnetic compatibility;
-   pressure vessels.
NOTE 1   Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmos-pheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC.
NOTE 2     prEN 1710 Equipment and components intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in mines is currently under preparation in CEN/TC 305.
.2   This standard deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to e

This European Standard specifies all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards.This European Standard is applicable to road headers, continuous miners and impact rippers used in tunnelling and underground mining.
Certain associated matters are not included in the scope of this standard:
¾ the supply of electricity up to the machine;
¾ the provision of a cab or similar accommodation for an operator;
¾ ancillary tools and equipment used for, at or on the machine;
¾ equipment for use in flammable/explosive atmospheres;
¾ any method for monitoring gases in the atmosphere of the tunnel or other workplace;
¾ the method of calculation of the design of any part described or the verification of this;
¾ loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the machine;
¾ electromagnetic compatibility;
¾ pressure vessels.
NOTE   Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmos-pheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC.

1.1   Description of the machines
This document is applicable to all types of shield machines and associated back up equipment, thrust boring machines, auger boring machines and lining erection equipment. It specifies the essential safety requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, and information for use of such machines.
Shield machines and associated back up equipment include:
-   open shields for both manual and mechanical excavation;
-   shielded tunnel boring machines;
-   micro tunnelling machines;
-   towed or stationary back up equipment;
-   pipe jacking equipment.
All shield machines provide lateral and radial ground support. In addition they may provide various types of face support and ground water control (see Clause 3).
Certain associated matters are not included in the scope of the standard:
-   additional equipment which may form an integral part of a shield machine or back up equipment and is used for compressed air (hyperbaric/plenum) working (see EN 12110:2002);
-   use under hyperbaric conditions;
-   the supply of electricity up to the machine;
-   ancillary tools and equipment used for, at or on the machine;
-   electromagnetic compatibility;
-   loading and transport equipment which is not an integral part of the machine, e.g. rolling stock, man riders, grout cars, segment cars, muck cars.
NOTE   Within the European Union Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this document. The present document is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC.
1.2   Hazards
This document deals with significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to shield machines and associated back up equipment, thrust boring machines and auger boring machines when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see Cl

This standard is applicable to unshielded tunnel boring machines, TBMs, and rodless shaft boring machines, SBMs, and their towed or attached back-up equipment for driving tunnels or shafts in rock where the whole area is excavated in one or more steps by mechanical means. It specifies essential safety requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of such machines when used in non-explosive atmosphere together with the methods of verification. The standard specifies monitoring for hazardous atmospheres.  For TBMs and SBMs which are to be used continuously in explosive atmosphere, additional relevant standards alos apply.  This European Standard deals with all significant hazards pertinent to unshielded tunnel boring machines and rodless shaft boring machines for rock, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This European Standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazard.

This standard is applicable to unshielded tunnel boring machines, TBMs, and rodless shaft boring machines, SBMs, and their towed or attached back-up equipment for driving tunnels or shafts in rock where the whole area is excavated in one or more steps by mechanical means. It specifies essential safety requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of such machines when used in non-explosive atmosphere together with the methods of verification. The standard specifies monitoring for hazardous atmospheres.  For TBMs and SBMs which are to be used continuously in explosive atmosphere, additional relevant standards alos apply.  This European Standard deals with all significant hazards pertinent to unshielded tunnel boring machines and rodless shaft boring machines for rock, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see clause 4). This European Standard specifies the appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards.

This European Standard applies to the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks and pressure bulkheads, which are to be used in tunnelling work. This Standard deals with all significant hazards listed in clause 4 and specific to the machinery identified in clause 1.1, when used under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer.

TC - New Figure C.2