New Code of Practice for Risk Management for UK tunnel works

摘要

In October 2001, the Association of British Insurers (ABI), representing insurers and re-insurers on the London-based Insurance Market, contacted the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) to voice their growing concerns about recent losses associated with tunnelling works both in the UK and overseas. The perception by the ABI was that the tunnelling industry had had an inconsistent approach to risk management and that Insurers had identified the tunnel construction sector as one which required re-evaluation of fundamental principles under which insurance cover could be provided - if at all! The ABI advised the BTS that it was considering various available options. Rather than either withdrawing completely from providing insurance cover for tunnelling projects, or increasing terms and excesses and restricting cover as a way forward, the ABI sought to work with 'industry' to develop a 'Joint Code of Practice' for better management of the risks associated with tunnelling works. This approach was proposed on the basis of the success of a 'Joint Fire Code' which had been developed previously and which is perceived by the insurance market as having made a significant contribution to the reduction in the number of fires on construction and building sites and also in the number of claims made against insurance policies.