With work gearing up on Sydney’s WestConnex M4 East and New M5, the M4 East joint venture has introduced an Australian first for tunnelling machinery.
Eighteen roadheader machines will work on the M4 East tunnel this year, 13 of which are being fitted with new operator cabins which allow for dual occupation.
Tunnelling in Australia has traditionally been carried out with single seat cabins. The modified cabins, roughly 50 per cent larger, help to ensure training can be carried out to meet the demand for roadheader operators within a dust free environment.
Up to around 40 operators will be needed to keep tunnelling moving 24/7 during construction of the M4 East. Around half of these will need some form of training.
The M4 East joint venture team, consisting of CPB Contractors Samsung and John Holland (CPBSJH), came up with the cab modification idea.
“With tunnelling for the M4 East coinciding with other tunnelling projects in Sydney, and a shift in demand from mining to infrastructure, it’s vital that we have the skilled operators required to meet our construction timeline,” CPBSJH Plant Manager Mark McLean said in a statement.
“While it hasn’t been done before, modifying the cabins for training meant we could also consider other innovations in design, which will lead to five star conditions for roadheader operators using these machines.
Mr. McLean said that the cabins will feature better visibility, structural integrity and a significant reduction in noise and vibration, as well as fully ergonomic seat adjustments.
“We’ve been able to make so many improvements to the design that the Japanese roadheader manufacturer we’ve been working with is now considering the dual cab as a potential export standard for all new machines,” he said.
Project Director Terry Chapman also said in the statement that the training opportunities that come with the cab modification will open up long-term opportunities, especially with more tunnelling projects forecast for Sydney in the future.
“The M4 East is the first tunnel section of WestConnex, to be followed by the New M5 and M4-M5 Link,” he said. “In addition, as part of the government’s integrated transport program, plans are progressing for Sydney Metro, including a new rail tunnel harbour crossing, in addition to the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel, which will eventually connect to WestConnex and provide a much needed second road crossing of the harbor.
“On the job training now will provide skill development for future employment opportunities stemming from these critical infrastructure projects,” he concluded.