Footway Reconstruction Safety

Footway reconstruction involves breaking out existing surfaces, preparing sub-base, and laying new paving or asphalt.
Work takes place adjacent to live pedestrian routes, shops, and residential properties with constant public interaction.
Buried services including gas, water, electric, and telecoms are commonly found at shallow depth beneath footways.
Hand-held breaking equipment generates noise, vibration, and dust affecting workers and the public nearby.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice governs signing and guarding of footway works.
Pedestrian diversions must be accessible, clearly signed, and maintained for wheelchair and pushchair users.
Mini excavators and dumpers operating on footways create pedestrian strike hazards in tight spaces.
Silica dust from cutting paving slabs and concrete kerbs requires on-tool water suppression or extraction.
Material deliveries and skip collections on residential streets need careful traffic management coordination.
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 requires proper reinstatement to SROH standards.

Protect the public	Pedestrians walk close to footway works — barriers, signs, and diversions prevent injuries to the public.
Service strike prevention	Shallow buried services under footways are easily damaged, causing gas leaks, electrocution, and water mains bursts.
Legal compliance	The Safety at Street Works Code of Practice and NRSWA require proper signing, guarding, and reinstatement.

Do

Don't

Set up pedestrian barriers and signed diversions before starting any footway work
Locate and mark all buried services using EML detection and reference plans before breaking out
Use water suppression when cutting paving slabs or concrete to control silica dust
Maintain accessible pedestrian routes for wheelchair users and pushchairs at all times
Brief all operatives on the locations of buried services beneath the footway
Wear hearing protection when using pneumatic breakers and cutting equipment on footways
Keep the work area tidy and free from trip hazards for workers and nearby pedestrians
Use banksmen when plant operates on footways where pedestrian visibility is limited
Reinstate the footway surface to SROH standards before reopening to pedestrian traffic
Monitor vibration exposure for operatives using hand-held breakers and compaction equipment

DON'T start breaking out footways without locating and marking all buried services first
DON'T leave excavations or uneven surfaces open without barriers and warning signs
DON'T block pedestrian routes without providing a signed and accessible diversion
DON'T dry cut paving slabs or kerbs — silica dust is a serious respiratory hazard
DON'T operate mini excavators on footways without a banksman managing pedestrian safety
DON'T stack materials or park plant where it blocks access for residents or businesses
DON'T ignore public complaints — address access and safety concerns promptly
DON'T leave trip hazards such as raised slabs or loose kerbs at the end of each shift
DON'T carry out noisy work outside the permitted hours set by the local authority
DON'T reinstate footway surfaces without compaction testing where the specification requires it

See also: Highway Works Safety Awareness | Kerb Laying on Highways

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