Working in live carriageways is one of the highest risk activities in the UK construction industry. Workers are exposed to fast-moving traffic often just metres away. Every year operatives are killed or seriously injured because traffic management fails or safe systems of work are not followed. This talk covers the essential controls that keep you alive when working in or near a live road.
Key Hazards
Being struck by vehicles travelling at speed near the work zone
Driver error or distraction causing vehicle incursion into works
Loss of safe working space from vehicles encroaching on cones
Reduced visibility in darkness, rain, fog, or low sun conditions
Control Measures
Ensure a Chapter 8 compliant traffic management layout is fully installed before any work begins.
Wear Class 3 high-visibility clothing with retroreflective strips at all times in the carriageway.
Enter and exit the work zone only through the designated access point in the traffic management.
Never turn your back on live traffic or step outside the protected work area.
Use impact protection vehicles (IPVs) where required by the risk assessment.
Maintain continuous awareness of traffic movement and listen for audible warnings.
Brief all operatives on the safe system of work and escape routes before starting.
Stop work immediately if the traffic management is breached or compromised.
Ensure a trained traffic management operative monitors the layout throughout the shift.
Remember
Never enter a live carriageway until the traffic management is fully in place
Wear Class 3 high-visibility clothing with retroreflective strips without exception
Only enter and exit the work zone through the designated safe access point
Stop work immediately if the traffic management layout is breached or damaged
Stay alert to traffic at all times and never turn your back on live lanes
Know your escape route before you start any task in the carriageway
Applicable Legislation: Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 · New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 · CDM 2015 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974