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IS 2770:1989 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety code for tunnelling work: part 1 working in rock. This standard lays down the safety requirements and precautions to be taken during tunnelling operations in rock. It covers critical hazardous activities including drilling, blasting, mucking, ventilation, illumination, and scaling to ensure the occupational health and safety of underground workers.
Lays down safety requirements for tunnelling operations specifically in rock, covering excavation, support, and ventilation.
! Strict compliance with IS 4081 is mandatory when handling and firing explosives during tunnel excavation.
! Continuous mechanical ventilation must be maintained to dilute noxious gases (like CO, NO2) and silica dust after every blasting cycle before workers re-enter.
! Scaling of loose rock from the roof and sides must be performed meticulously after blasting and before mucking operations commence.
BS 6164:2019BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Health and safety in tunnelling in the construction industry. Code of practice
Provides comprehensive guidance on health and safety management throughout all stages of tunnelling projects.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.800OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), USA
HighCurrent
Underground Construction
Sets mandatory legal safety and health requirements for all underground construction, including tunnelling.
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice: Tunnelling workSafe Work Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Code of Practice: Tunnelling work
Offers practical guidance for managing health and safety risks associated with tunnelling operations.
ITA-AITES Guidelines 2015ITA-AITES (International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association), International
MediumCurrent
Guidelines for Good Occupational Health and Safety Practice in Tunnelling
Provides international best-practice recommendations rather than a national-level compliance standard.
Key Differences
≠The IS code (1989) is prescriptive and focuses on conventional drill-and-blast methods, whereas modern standards like BS 6164:2019 are risk-based and extensively cover modern techniques like Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and Sprayed Concrete Linings (SCL).
≠International standards place a much stronger emphasis on occupational health, with detailed requirements for managing long-term exposure to hazards like respirable crystalline silica (RCS), noise, and vibration, which are only addressed generally in IS 2770.
≠Modern standards (e.g., BS 6164) are integrated with broader safety management frameworks like 'Safety in Design', requiring risk to be managed from the earliest conceptual stages of a project, an approach not explicitly detailed in the IS code.
≠Gas exposure limits in IS 2770 are less stringent than in current international standards. For example, the CO limit is 50 ppm in the IS code, while the UK's 8-hour limit (referenced in BS 6164) is 20 ppm.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the core principles of ground control, requiring regular inspection and installation of adequate support systems to prevent rock falls and collapses.
≈The fundamental requirement for mechanical ventilation to control dust, remove blasting fumes, and maintain safe oxygen levels is a cornerstone of all the standards.
≈All codes require comprehensive emergency preparedness, including the provision of rescue equipment, established emergency procedures, and reliable communication systems for all underground personnel.
≈There is a universal agreement on the need for safe access and egress, with specific requirements for the construction, inspection, and use of shafts, ladders, and hoisting equipment.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Oxygen Content
Not less than 19%
Must be maintained between 19.5% and 22.0%
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.800
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Limit (8-hr TWA)
50 ppm (0.005%)
20 ppm
BS 6164:2019 (referencing UK WELs)
Minimum Air Velocity
15 m/min
Typically between 0.3 m/s (18 m/min) and 1.0 m/s (60 m/min) to be effective
BS 6164:2019
Ladder Landing Platform Interval
Not exceeding 9 m
Not to exceed 30 feet (9.14 m)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.800
Minimum Clearance on Haulageway (one side)
60 cm
24 inches (61 cm)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.800
Minimum Illumination (General Area)
20 lux
5 foot-candles (approx. 54 lux)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.800
Maximum Hoist Speed (for persons)
60 m/min
No single value; based on manufacturer's rating and system design
BS 6164:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
lighting circuit voltageNot exceeding 110V for general tunnel lighting
portable lighting voltageNot exceeding 24V in wet underground areas
vehicle clearanceMinimum 600 mm safe clearance for moving equipment
ventilation requirementSufficient to clear fumes and maintain oxygen above 19.5%