Smart motorways use the hard shoulder as a running lane and employ variable speed limits and overhead gantry signals to manage traffic flow. Working on these roads is extremely high risk because there is no permanent hard shoulder refuge and traffic may be travelling at high speed in all lanes. This talk covers the additional hazards and controls specific to construction work on smart motorway sections.
Key Hazards
Workers struck by high-speed traffic on roads with no permanent hard shoulder
Emergency refuge areas too far apart to reach quickly in an emergency
Vehicle incursion into the work area from lanes controlled by overhead gantries
Confusion over which lanes are live and which are closed during shift changes
Control Measures
Follow National Highways specific requirements for smart motorway working at all times.
Ensure all lane closures and traffic management are coordinated with the regional operations centre.
Use impact protection vehicles positioned upstream of every work area on the live carriageway.
Brief all operatives on the location of emergency refuge areas and the procedure to reach them safely.
Wear Chapter 8 compliant high-visibility clothing rated for motorway working at all times.
Confirm which lanes are closed and which remain live before entering the carriageway at each shift.
Ensure overhead gantry signals display the correct closures before any operative enters the work area.
Maintain vehicle restraint systems or temporary barriers between the live lanes and the work area.
Never assume the hard shoulder is a safe refuge — on smart motorways it may be a live traffic lane.
Remember
Follow National Highways specific requirements for all smart motorway working at all times
Impact protection vehicles must be positioned upstream of every work area on the carriageway
Confirm which lanes are closed and which remain live before entering the carriageway each shift
Never assume the hard shoulder is safe — it may be a live running lane on smart motorways
Overhead gantry signals must display the correct closures before anyone enters the work area
Applicable Legislation: Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 · National Highways Smart Motorway Standards · CDM Regulations 2015 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974