What is risk? Construction activity near hazardous infrastructure

Construction management has a strong safety focus directed primarily at reducing risk to workers. There is a special class of construction work that has the potential for a different set of safety issues – work that could damage hazardous infrastructure with possibly catastrophic effects for workers and the public alike. The natural gas pipeline failure as a result of car park construction in a light industrial area at Ghislenghien, Belgium in 2004, which resulted in 24 deaths, is one such example. The primary focus of this research is a case study regarding project-related construction activity around high pressure natural gas pipelines in Australia. Drawing on data gathered from in-depth interviews, alternate definitions and meanings of risk are explored amongst stakeholders who are responsible in some way for work near or around high-pressure gas pipelines. The research uncovered perceptions of risk from project personnel in various parts of the supply chain, couched in terms of project delays, legal and insurance obligations, as well as reputation management. The research demonstrates that, whilst damage to buried assets is recognised as something to be avoided, awareness of the potential for major disaster is poor. Further, supply chain contractual structures based on ’pay per meter’ and risk control strategies relying solely on enforcement and procedural compliance, create a safety environment that is ineffective and dangerous. Responsibility for risk is shifted down the supply chain and yet field personnel are exposed to incentives for timely project completion. Consequently, strikes or near misses may result as sub-contractors seek to avoid perceived 'unnecessary' time delays and any associated financial impact.