Apaper presenting an overview of legislative and best practice approaches to the management of OHS&E and business risk for Australian tunnelling operations. Best practice can be achieved in Australian tunnelling through risk awareness' by decision-makers and line personnel. This will identify problems before they occur and lead to implementing controls appropriate to avoiding loss throughout the life cycle of the underground opening._x000D_
The author draws on legislative approaches from all Australian states together with practical experience from risk management and risk engineering work from six recent tunnelling projects. This describes a process that: commences with concept risk assessment, involves quantification of major hazards, conducts assessments of operating risks, and leads to implementation of an integrated management system that keeps construction activities connected with the controls identified in the design and planning phases and minimises the losses sustained as a result._x000D_
Key points addressed include: where the industry is going with respect to risk - methods and considerations, how tunnelling risks are perceived by the industry and legislation, how tunnel constructors and owners can minimise exposure by using proper risk engineering tools', and reflections on best practice methods for transferring knowledge from designers to contractors/operators.