HSE backs guidance designed to keep road workers safe

13/08/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Guidance aimed at keeping road workers safe has received the backing of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Highways Agency, as part of its Aiming for Zero initiative, has a road worker safety strategy, which emphasises the need to significantly reduce risks to road workers, at all locations on the HA network.

The HA’s interim advice note 150/14 revision 01 provides updated guidance for temporary traffic management (TTM), on the approach zones at roadworks where “relaxation scheme” works criteria apply on dual carriageways, in order to reduce risks to road workers.

A letter seen by Highways Magazine entitled ‘Protection of traffic management operatives at static temporary traffic management works on high speed dual carriageways' outlines the HSE’s view on guidance issued by the Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA) and the Highways Agency.

In particular it refers to the HTMA guidance TTM Vehicle Selection and Operation and Interim Advice Note 181/14.

Thomas Merry, HM inspector of health and safety, is the author of the letter. In a summary of the letter he outlines the following points:

1. Operatives working on foot in a live lane should be supported by an impact protection vehicle (IPV) in the same lane as the work. The IPV can be positioned either up-stream or down-stream of the work, to be determined through robust risk assessment.

2. Work on the near side of carriageways with a hard shoulder need not be supported in this way where it can be done from the hard shoulder and;

• There is sufficient visibility, and

• There is an effective “escape” route, and

• A robust assessment of the risk justifies it as the safest option.

3. Where operatives are working from a works vehicle in a live lane, that vehicle must be protected by a separate IPV unless this cannot be done because of the road layout.

4. Where use of a separate protection vehicle is not used robust risk assessment must demonstrate why use of an IPV is not required.

5. Work activities within closed lanes or within a hard shoulder will not require protection from an IPV unless identified as necessary through robust risk assessment.

Merry told Highways Magazine: “This is about improving the safety of road workers. We can do this by ensuring they have the best possible support and protection while working on live carriageways.”

At this year’s Seeing is Believing, the Traffic Management Contractors Association (TMCA) will demonstrate how to safely install and remove a lane closure in light of IAN 150/12, IAN 150/14, the HSE letter and the soon to be published IAN 181/14.

Places are limited so please register and reserve your free demo slot today. All demonstrations consist of a classroom briefing followed by outdoor demonstration on the motorway section of the track. Click here to register.

For further information on Seeing is Believing visit www.sib.uk.net

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Parking Officer

£38934 - £40755 per annum + n/a
Senior Parking Officer (Business Team) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we collectively wa England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Parking Design Engineer

£34416 - £44331 per annum
Parking Design Engineer (Career Graded SC6-PO2) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we colle England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Bexley is an outer London Borough with the best of both worlds. Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Head of Highways Services

Level 14
North Somerset Council
Recruiter: North Somerset Council

Principal Transportation & Infrastructure Planner

£54889.0000 - £64576.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
The Opportunity The Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner engages with strategic partners, to devise and co-ordinate land use transpo England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Mechanic (LCV/LGV) x2

£33,366 – £35,235
We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced, LCV/LGV Mechanic Accrington, Lancashire
Recruiter: Hyndburn Borough Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728
City of Doncaster employs around 4,300 staff, who work together with Team Doncaster partners Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Head of Fleet and Depot Services

Circa £80,000
It couldn’t be a better time to join Merton Council. Merton, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Merton

Fleet Officer

£34,416 - £35,448
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Fleet Officer to join our team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711 - £30,559, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Team Leader LGV Driver (Seasonal Post)

£20,783.25 - £22,919.25, Grade 6, 27.25 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Network Manager

Grade 14, £56,385 to £60,592 per annum
Ready for your next big challenge in highways management? Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Transport Strategy Officer

Grade 12, £45,647 to £47,966 per annum
The council are looking for a Transport Strategy Officer who will play a leading role in what is both locally and nationally a very dynamic area. Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Highway Asset Officer (Design/Delivery)

£34,314 - £37,938 per annum
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Devon
Recruiter: Devon County Council

Trainee Sign Shop Technician

£25998 - £31469
Job TitleTrainee Sign Shop Tec... Wandsworth, London, UK
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Highways Technician x 2 positions - WMF1684e

£33,366 - £34,314
We are looking for strong communicators, as you will provide advice and guidance to colleagues. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Programme Control Officer - Capital Programmes - WMF1686e

£37,035 - £37,938
The Programme Control Officer role will mainly be focussed on managing and controlling a wide variety of programme delivery information. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Officer - South

G7
Lincolnshire County Council
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - South

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / South
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - West

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / West
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW