Safety management of green rocks tunneling wastes contaminated by asbestos

This study focuses on the safety management of serpentinite rocks wastes containing asbestos. These minerals (Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, Actinolite) can lead to severe health hazard when inhaled, such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, all of which have long-lasting and often fatal consequences. All the fibrous form of such minerals are naturally occurring in Green Stones (GS) formed during metamorphism phenomena. Specific risk assessment is therefore required in case of anthropogenic activities (earthworks and excavation/extraction) in these lithotype. Tunneling in GS is usually discouraged, but in some cases it’s necessary to connect different geographic areas for national or international networks, requiring specific worker and environmental risk assessments. The primary objective of this study is to describe a specific protocol adopted during Cravasco tunneling excavation site in Genoa, Italy, to manage safely the excavation works in asbestos containing GS and the management of hazardous wastes produced. In more detail, the study emphasizes the advantages of using personal and environmental protective measures to avoid new occupational diseases and incorrect hazardous waste management practices which can lead to work interruptions caused, among other things, by legal litigations. The proposed protocol is well formed by practical on-site experience that facilitated a more accurate risk assessment and worker protection and, at the same time, reducing the amount of waste to be sent to landfill. This results in time and cost benefits in accordance with circular economy criteria. The paper outlines Cravasco's safety protocol that could be a useful reference in the future in other similar worldwide risk situations related to tunnelling excavation in GS.