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  Psychological, Health and Social parameters associated with working in underground spaces

  In this study, we present the key elements of a systematic research program aiming to examine the relationship between the design, environmental and architectural characteristics of underground spaces with critical aspects of human behaviour and well-being. Specifically, our program will examine how (i) working underground influences (positively or negatively) human psychology, cognition, performance and well-being (ii) critical aspects of human health are affected by working underground (such as circadian rhythms, including core body temperature, melatonin and cortisol levels, urine volume and thyroid-stimulation hormone, vitamin D levels and seasonal affective disorders, etc.) and (iii) general attitudes and lay beliefs towards working underground. The research outcomes will eventually be combined and summarised by employing a Risk Analysis approach, thus allowing for a comprehensive but concise overview of both the positive and negative effects of working underground. In addition, assessment tools, recommendations, solutions, case studies and standards will be developed and disseminated to assist the industry, policy makers, researchers and the public to reach well-informed decisions. The main aim of this presentation is to introduce the research program and open up for discussion a possible global research effort to better understand the effects of working underground on the population. To that end, we invite members of the academic community, government officials and other decision makers, practitioners and the business community to actively contribute to this extraordinary research effort.

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