HWY/General/TBT-HWY-003

Working in Live Carriageways

Highways & Road Works › General › Working in Live Carriageways

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Working in live carriageways means carrying out construction activities while traffic continues to flow past the work area.
This is one of the most dangerous work environments in UK construction — workers are struck by vehicles every year.
Traffic management must be installed and inspected by competent persons before any worker enters the carriageway.
The safety zone between live traffic and the work area must meet the minimum requirements for the road speed.
All operatives must wear Class 3 high-visibility clothing meeting EN ISO 20471 at all times in the carriageway.
Impact protection vehicles absorb the force of errant vehicles and must be positioned as specified in the TM design.
Workers must face approaching traffic wherever possible and maintain constant awareness of vehicle movements.
Entering and leaving the work area must follow the agreed access procedure — not by crossing live traffic lanes.
Night working in live carriageways requires additional lighting, reflective clothing, and heightened vigilance.
Mobile phone use and wearing headphones in live carriageways is strictly prohibited due to the distraction risk.

Struck-by fatality	Vehicles pass at speed just metres from the work area — a moment of inattention puts you in the path of traffic.
Speed kills	Even with reduced speed limits, vehicles travel fast enough to cause fatal injuries on impact with a pedestrian.
IPV protection	Impact protection vehicles are your last line of defence — they absorb vehicle strikes that would otherwise reach the work area.

Don't

Ensure traffic management is fully installed and inspected before entering the carriageway.
Wear Class 3 high-visibility clothing at all times while in the live carriageway.
Maintain awareness of traffic movements — face approaching traffic where possible.
Stay within the defined safety zone and work area at all times.
Use the designated access and egress points — never cross live traffic lanes.
Confirm impact protection vehicles are positioned correctly before work begins.
Use additional lighting and reflective equipment for night working in carriageways.
Follow the specific traffic management design for this road type and speed.
Keep radios and communication devices accessible for emergency contact.
Report any damage to cones, signs, or barriers immediately for repair.

DON'T enter the carriageway until traffic management is confirmed fully installed.
DON'T work in live traffic without Class 3 high-visibility clothing at all times.
DON'T become complacent around traffic — vehicles may not slow down or see you.
DON'T step outside the safety zone or work area boundary under any circumstances.
DON'T cross live traffic lanes to access the work area — use designated routes only.
DON'T work without IPVs in position on high-speed or dual carriageway roads.
DON'T work at night in carriageways without enhanced lighting and reflective clothing.
DON'T assume reduced speed limits mean drivers will actually slow down.
DON'T use mobile phones or headphones while working in the live carriageway.
DON'T leave damaged traffic management in place — displaced cones let vehicles through.

See also: Highway Works Safety Awareness | Chapter 8 Signing and Guarding

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