Arnold Dix

Australian scientist

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Arnold Dix

Alma mater| Monash University
Occupation| lawyer Scientist & author
Spouse| Divina Dix
Relatives| Helena Dix (sister) Colin Dix (Brother)
Awards| Alan Neyland Australasian Tunnelling Society bi-annual award (2011) NFPA -Distinguished Committee Service Award (2022)
Website| https://arnolddix.com/

Arnold Dix (8 March 1964) is a lawyer, scientist and author from Monbulk, Australia. He is currently the president of the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association.[1]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Dix's father emigrated from New Zealand where he was a used-car salesman. His mother is a graduate of Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy. His parents became publicans, which caused the family to frequently move around Melbourne, Benalla, Cohuna and Jindabyne.[2]

Dix earned an honours bachelor of science from Monash University in 1986, and a bachelor of laws from Monash University in 1988.[3][4]

## Career

[edit]

Dix is a registered barrister at the High Court of Australia and a member of the Victorian bar.[5][6] He is a former counsel of White & Case legal firm[7] and a former partner of law firms Maddock Lonie; Chisholm; and DLA Phillips Fox. Dix was a visiting scholar at the Tokyo City University.[8] He is a former visiting scholar of engineering at Queensland University of Technology and at Western Sydney University.[9]

Dix is the elected president of International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA), which is based in Geneva and is the peak advisory body on the underground to the United Nations. He provides expertise in the legal, environmental, political and ethical aspects of underground construction. He is also the founder of The ALARP Group.[10]

In 2023, he was part of the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation of 41 workers in India who were trapped in Uttarkashi, India.[11]

Dix has also been involved in improving the safety of bulk milk truck tankers. His work in this sector, has resulted to reduction in truck rollovers. In 2023, he was announced by the National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) as the keynote speaker for Bulk Tanker Day.[12][13][14]

Dix has been involved in the investigation of disasters. He was the coroner's investigator into the Burnley Tunnel disaster.[15] He wrote an expert report for the Victorian coroner on the incident.[16] In 2020, Dix together with Lord Robert Mair and Peter Vickery QC, established Underground Works Chambers.[17] The company offers technical and regulatory solutions for challenges related to underground spaces.[18]

Dix is a member of the National Fire Protection Association standards committees for Road (NFPA 502) and Rail (NFPA 130) Tunnels safety.[19] He also serves on PIARC for road Tunnel related matters.

### Uttarakhand tunnel rescue

[edit]

Main article: Uttarakhand tunnel rescue

On 19 November 2023, Dix joined the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation.[20] Upon arrival, Dix promised to evacuate all 41 workers safely. Dix played a leading role in the operation that saved 41 workers who were trapped nearly 200ft below the surface. He worked together with five agencies ONGC, SJVNL, RVNL, NHIDCL, and THDCL, who had encountered difficulties completing the rescue mission.[21][22]

Dix suggested that the team use soft mining techniques, to avoid disturbing the mountain and causing another avalanche which would put the workers at further risk. Rescuers had been using large earth drilling machines which caused vibrations that made the tunnel more unsafe. The large drills also broke down from hitting metal obstacles from the collapsed tunnel, forcing the rescue operation to be paused frequently.[23] Dix proposed much slower and gentle approaches that he considered safer.[24] The rescuers used a thin pipe to carry the trapped workers to safety. They finally excavated by hand to avoid disturbing the rock and causing further damage.[1]

Dix displayed faith during the rescue by setting a makeshift temple during the rescue, which gained attention on social media. During the rescue mission, Dix was seen praying at the temple of local deity Baba Bokh Naag ji.[25][26][27]

## Personal life

[edit]

Dix has two siblings, Helena Dix and the late Colin Dix. He is married to Divina Dix. He has three children—Sam, Hannah and Edward—from his first marriage to Karen Beckmann. He has one stepchild, Trisha, from his current marriage.[2]

## Awards and honors

[edit]

### Awards

[edit]

In 2011, he was the recipient of the Alan Neyland Tunnelling Society award for tunnel fire safety excellence.[28]

In 2022, Dix was honored with a Committee Service Award by the National Fire Protection Association of the United States of America for his contribution to road and rail tunnel fire safety.[29]

### Honors

[edit]

In 2023, Dix received recognition from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his work in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue.[30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Amalaraj, Perkin. "Australian tunnel expert revealed as mastermind behind miracle rescue of 41 Indian miners who were trapped underground for 17 days - as full details of claustrophobic escape emerge". Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
2. ^ a b Crowe, Alex (26 January 2024). "From Victoria's troublemaker to India's hero". The Age. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
3. ^ Jones, Penny (2023-02-01). "PRESS RELEASE – Charismatic Australian elected President of influential global association". Australian Tunnelling Society. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
4. ^ "Arnold Dix - Profile" (PDF).
5. ^ Agarwal, Mehak (29 November 2023). "Meet Professor Arnold Dix, the Australian expert who turned savior in Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation". Business Today. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
6. ^ The Quint (22 November 2023). "Tunnel Expert Who Helped Rescue 41 Trapped Men in Uttarkashi: Who is Arnold Dix?". The Quint. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
7. ^ The Economic Times (30 November 2023). "Engineer, geologist, lawyer: The many hats worn by Arnold Dix, the man behind the miraculous Uttarkashi rescue". The Economic Times. The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
8. ^ The Hindu Bureau (23 November 2023). "Australia proud of professor assisting Silkyara rescue efforts: envoy". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
9. ^ Abraham, Bobins (24 November 2023). "Who Is Arnold Dix, The Australian Underground Expert Involved In Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue?". India times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
10. ^ "The ALARP Group | ALARP".
11. ^ Clure, Elias (13 December 2023). "Arnold Dix, the 'nerdy' Aussie farmer behind the Indian tunnel rescue that saved 41 people". ABC News. abc.net. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
12. ^ alrta (May 2024). "Bulk Tanker Day keynote speaker announcement". alrta. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
13. ^ Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (29 April 2024). "The 'Tunnel Guy' Digs In For Bulk Tanker Day". Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
14. ^ Trailer (23 April 2024). "Arnold Dix named keynote speaker for Bulk Tanker Day". Trailer. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
15. ^ Tunnelbuilder. "Burnley tunnel crash findings". Tunnelbuilder. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
16. ^ Dix, Arnold. "THE FATAL BURNLEY TUNNEL CRASHES MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA" (PDF). uwchambers.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
17. ^ https://uwchambers.com/
18. ^ Times of India (29 November 2023). "How tunneling expert Arnold Dix played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation in Uttarkashi". Times of India. Times of India. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
19. ^ National Fire Protection Association. "Technical Committee on Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems (FKT-AAA) NFPA 130 First Draft Meeting (A2025)" (PDF). National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
20. ^ Clure, Elias (13 December 2023). "Arnold Dix, the 'nerdy' Aussie farmer behind the Indian tunnel rescue that saved 41 people". ABC News. abc.net. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
21. ^ FP Explainers (24 November 2023). "Meet Arnold Dix, Aus expert roped in for Uttarkashi tunnel rescue". Firstpost. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
22. ^ Dhar, Aniruddha. "'If national agencies hadn't cooperated...': Arnold Dix's 'perfect' remark on Uttarkashi tunnel rescue". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
23. ^ AP (25 November 2023). "Digging to rescue 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India halted after machine breaks". AP. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
24. ^ Baruah, Rishika; Srinivasan, Chandrashekar. "This Article is From Nov 29, 2023 "Advised Rat-Hole Mining After...": Tunnelling Expert Details Rescue Op". NDTV. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
25. ^ HT News Desk. "'Miracle': Tunnelling expert Arnold Dix says he will visit temple because..." Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
26. ^ The Statesman (29 November 2023). "'When science and technology meet faith': Tunneling expert Dix offers prayers at makeshift temple". The Statesman. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
27. ^ Abraham, Bobins (29 November 2023). "Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: Australian Expert Arnold Dix Offers Prayers Before Baba Bokhnaag After Successful Evacuation". India Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
28. ^ HT News Desk. "'Australian giving us master class': Here's why Mahindra lauds Uttarakhand rescuer Arnold Dix". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
29. ^ Dhar, Aniruddha. "Who is Arnold Dix, underground expert roped in for Uttarkashi tunnel rescue?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
30. ^ ET Online (8 December 2023). "Arnold Dix, Uttarkashi tunnel rescuer honoured by Aussie PM; Albanese says '2 nations in his debt'". Economic Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

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