On 29 July at 9 am, rocks flew into nearby properties during the construction of water and sewage connections near the Kivenlahdentori metro station entrance. The rocks broke 13 windows in nearby properties. No one was injured in the incident. Fire water and household water pipelines and rainwater and wastewater sewer pipelines and their wells are being constructed for the city of Espoo, near the metro entrance. In addition, a new district heating pipeline is under construction. Despite the safety precautions taken during the open excavation, some rocks hurtled into the nearby properties.
-The safety plan for the excavation work was drawn up appropriately. The individual performing the blasting operation had been familiarised with the work site and had the legal qualifications required to perform the work, and this was verified prior to the work being started. An investigation by authorities to determine the cause of the accident has been initiated but is not yet complete. Skanska is assisting the authorities in determining what caused the accident. The damage to the nearby properties will, of course, be repaired,” says Regional Director Pekka Räsänen of Skanska Infra, the contractor at the work site. “This type of accident is very rare in blasting work,he adds.
The company that carried out the blasting operation was a subcontractor of Skanska.
Excavation work is subject to strict liability. The excavation contractor is always liable for their own work. Excavation work is carried out in compliance with the Council of State Ordinance concerning safety during blasting and excavation operations and the Government Decree on the Safety of Construction Work. Every blasting operation is planned in advance. Excavation work is always performed by an individual who holds the qualification of blaster. A security guard is present during blasting to prevent anyone from entering the area and the vicinity. Warning sirens are also used in excavation operations. In open excavation, blasting mats are used to prevent rocks from flying into the surrounding environment. The force of each blast is recorded in a vibration meter.
-The West Metro will be the world’s safest metro. The safety of the employees working on the project and the area surrounding the work site is also a priority for us. We demand strict compliance with laws and guidelines from everyone working on Länsimetro’s work sites. We are one of the largest developers in Finland, and we aim to promote a strong culture of occupational health and safety in the construction industry, stresses Länsimetro Oy’s CEO, Ville Saksi.
Blasting on the work site was completed last week. Concrete and reinforcement work as well as technical building services work is currently under way at the Kivenlahti metro station. The construction work is moving forward normally. Excavation work on the West Metro’s stations and tunnels ended in 2018.
Further information:
Ville Saksi, CEO, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 823 2086, ville.saksi(at)lansimetro.fi
Pekka Räsänen, Regional Director, Skanska Infra Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 574 6582, pekka.rasanen(at)skanska.fi