Tunnelling Foreman

Bridgwater, England, United Kingdom

1/29/2025

Location: HPC

Job Purpose

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible for directly overseeing a team of operatives, ensuring the safe and efficient execution of tunnelling works by managing daily operations, maintaining quality standards, adhering to project schedules, and implementing safety procedures within the tunnel environment.

Required Job Skills, Experience And Qualifications

Leadership and Supervision:

• Lead and motivate a team of tunnelling operatives, assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and providing on-site guidance to ensure work is completed according to project specifications.
  
  

Safety Management:

• Prioritize safety by conducting regular safety inspections, enforcing safety protocols, identifying potential hazards, and ensuring all workers are properly trained and equipped with necessary safety gear.
  
  

Work Planning and Scheduling:

• Develop daily work plans, coordinate activities with other teams, manage equipment usage, and ensure timely completion of tasks within the tunnel.
  
  

Quality Control:

• Monitor the quality of tunnelling operations, ensuring compliance with project specifications and standards related to excavation, lining installation, and ground support.
  
  

Technical Knowledge:

• Understand various tunnelling methods, including TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine / Pipe jacking) operations, shotcrete application, and segmental lining installation, to make informed decisions on site.
  
  

Reporting and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate records of work progress, daily reports, incident reports, and ensure proper documentation of all activities within the tunnel.
  
  

Communication and Collaboration:

• Effectively communicate with project engineers, site managers, other trades, and team members to coordinate activities and address any issues that may arise.
  
  

Emergency Response:

• Be prepared to take immediate action in case of emergencies within the tunnel, including managing evacuation procedures and coordinating with emergency response teams.
• Required Skills and Qualifications:
• Extensive experience in tunnelling construction, preferably with a supervisory role
• Thorough understanding of tunnelling safety regulations and procedures
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Technical knowledge of tunnelling equipment and methods
• Ability to read and interpret project drawings and specifications
• Relevant certifications in safety, confined space entry, and tunnelling practices
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

• Gold Card NVQ level 3 supervisor
• SMSTS trained (Mandatory)
• CSCS Card
• 3+ years working in an underground environment on Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machines
• Previous experience working as the PIC (Person in Charge).
  
  

Company Background

The Joseph Gallagher Group is a family owned Civil Engineering business that delivers expertise whilst putting client satisfaction at the core of the business. Built on a personal reputation for honesty and quality, we understand the actions we take affect the communities and environments we operate in.

LIFE Culture

We're promoting a culture change within the industry and demonstrating initiatives to dramatically improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing. In 2014, we launched our award-winning cultural safety programme (LIFE) which is deeply embedded into the company’s DNA and core values.

Disability Confident Committed

We are a disability confident employer and we're committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to enable you to be the best you can, please contact the HR team at HR@josephgallagher.co.uk.

We are one of the UK's leading civil engineering and tunnelling contractors, offering a wide range of construction and specialist services.