A Glowing Twist on Health and Safety Responsibility

The Glowworm Tunnel precinct in Wollemi National Park, near Lithgow NSW, has recently been upgraded by hand to ensure visitor safety along the 6km walking track, allowing the unique experience of viewing the glow worms in situ.  The 387metre tunnel, originally part of the Wolgan Valley Railway line, was closed in 1932 and quickly became inhabited by glow worms as it provided a perfect habitat for them.

A raised path installed to protect glow worms (supplied: NSW National Parks & Wildlife)

The National Park Service became aware of the need for a safety upgrade as the tunnel is completely dark and the ground can be slippery. As such, a raised path needed to be made. Safety was a consideration on three levels in this upgrade project:  safety for visitors, safety for the glowworms and their habitat and safety for the workers undergoing the manual labour required in the upgrade.

Ensuring the safety of the habitat for the glow worms required significant adjustments to work methods in executing the project. University of Queensland honorary associate professor Dr David Merritt collaborated with the tunnel team to design the implementation which included the workers working in red light. If worms detect white light they switch off however red light has little impact on them.

No power tools used when upgrading tunnel (supplied: NSW National Parks & Wildlife)

Another major adjustment was work had to be done manually as fumes and chemicals of fuel-operated machinery would be detrimental to the glow worms. This necessitated materials being brought in by helicopter as the nearest car park is 1.4 km away. About 30,000 bricks and 300 tonnes of fill were taken to site in wheelbarrows. In addition, there is no gas or electricity onsite and no power tools could be used.

The upgrade is now completed and the tunnel is open to be enjoyed by the public.

*Source: ABC Central West.