Elodie Carlini is setec’s tunnel safety officer, as defined by current European regulations. It’s a highly responsible position, requiring strong technical expertise combined with communication, listening and observation skills. We take a look at this key position in the operational management of a road tunnel infrastructure.
“I started my career in operations engineering in the road sector. I became an Agent in tunnel security before joining setec, around 10 years ago. I introduced this speciality to the group when I joined. The role of a safety agent is highly regulated by European legislation. Indeed, The European Directive 2004/54/EC of April 29th, lays down the minimum safety requirements applicable to tunnels longer than 500 m. These provisions have been transposed into French law in article L118-5 of the Road Traffic Code and articles R118-4-1 to R118-4-7 of the Regulations.
Our role can be summed up as a supra-assistant to road operators! We have to help operators manage their infrastructure/tunnel, advise and guide them, but also check that they apply all the regulations and procedures imposed on them. We play a key role in the commissioning and overhaul of infrastructure.
We also work closely with all those involved in the safety of the tunnel: local authorities, police, fire department… The safety agent is the link between all interfaces in the tunnel in operation. In addition to their technical skills, they also need to have excellent interpersonal skills. The safety agent is involved during the tunnel operating phase. We may also be involved in the design phase to assist the operator, if the latter is involved right from the project phase. Communication and listening skills are therefore essential for this function. In fact, that’s what I enjoy most: the human contact; working alongside the project manager. We’re really at the heart of the operation, and you have to be able to talk to everyone working on the structure.
Calling on a setec security agent means that the client benefits from our expertise in the industry, as well as from all our group skills. For example, if I see water seeping into a tunnel I’m monitoring, I can immediately call in a setec colleague specialising in this area. So, the client gets the full 360° treatment! If you need an expert in civil engineering, safety, equipment, structure, geotechnics, etc., we at setec can handle these issues with ease.
As far as our current assignments are concerned, we have approximately 4-year contracts awarded by the contracting authorities, via calls for tender. The safety agent is appointed by local prefecture authorities.
At setec we currently have two people working for setec its to manage this activity. Thanks to our latest contract, we are security agents at ATMB for two tunnels: the Vuache Tunnel and the Chavants Tunnel. We also work on tunnels for the DIR Massif Central, 5 in total.
When you are a young engineer, you can start off specialising in tunnels as such, then gain experience in infrastructure management, and eventually specialise in safety and operational engineering. It’s an exciting job that combines several areas of expertise and allows one to be really operational.
Agent [CE2]