Working in Live Carriageways

Working in live carriageways means carrying out tasks where public traffic is still moving nearby.
Traffic is the single biggest killer on highway work sites in the UK, causing multiple fatalities each year.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice sets out minimum requirements.
Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual defines signing, lighting, and guarding requirements.
All workers on live carriageways must hold a valid street works competency card (NRSWA).
Temporary traffic management (TTM) must be designed and approved before any work starts.
Safety zones provide a clear buffer between live traffic and the work area.
High-visibility clothing to EN ISO 20471 Class 3 is mandatory for all personnel on carriageways.
Impact protection vehicles (IPVs) are required on high-speed roads to shield the work area.
Constant vigilance is essential because driver behaviour is unpredictable, especially at night.

Prevent fatalities	Workers are struck and killed on UK roads every year. Correct TTM keeps live traffic away from the work zone.
Legal requirement	The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Chapter 8 impose strict legal duties on those working in carriageways.
Protect the public	Poorly managed roadworks cause accidents involving drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians passing through the site.
Avoid prosecution	Failure to comply with the Code of Practice can result in enforcement action, fines, and personal criminal liability.

Do

Don't

Ensure TTM is set up by a competent person before entering the carriageway
Wear EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high-visibility clothing at all times on the carriageway
Check all signs, cones, and barriers are in place and undamaged before starting work
Stay within the designated safe working area at all times during operations
Use an IPV on high-speed roads as a physical barrier against errant vehicles
Keep tools and materials inside the coned-off area and away from live lanes
Maintain a lookout for errant vehicles and be ready to move to a safe position
Report any sign displacement, cone strikes, or near misses immediately to the supervisor
Follow the site-specific traffic management plan for entry and exit procedures
Remove TTM in the correct sequence under supervision when work is complete

DON'T enter a live carriageway until all TTM is correctly set up and checked
DON'T turn your back to oncoming traffic when working in a live lane
DON'T move or adjust signs or cones unless trained and authorised to do so
DON'T park personal vehicles outside the designated safe area on the carriageway
DON'T walk in live traffic lanes to move between work areas
DON'T use a mobile phone or wear headphones while working in the carriageway
DON'T stand in the taper or buffer zone — these are not safe working areas
DON'T assume drivers can see you, even with high-visibility clothing on
DON'T work beyond the limits of the approved traffic management layout
DON'T leave the work area unguarded if signs or barriers are displaced

See also: Chapter 8 Signing, Lighting and Guarding | IPV (Impact Protection Vehicle) Use

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