ROA/General/TBT-ROA-018
Road Marking Application Safety
Road Construction & Surfacing › General › Road Marking Application Safety
Toolbox Talk
Road Marking Application Safety
Road marking application exposes operatives to fast-moving traffic, hot thermoplastic materials, and solvent fumes. Work is frequently carried out at night, often within live carriageways with traffic passing just metres away. Burns from heated thermoplastic, fume inhalation, and struck-by risks from passing vehicles are all significant hazards. This talk covers the safety measures needed for road marking operations on UK highways.
Key Hazards
Workers struck by vehicles passing through or adjacent to the work zone
Burns from contact with hot thermoplastic marking material at 200°C
Fume inhalation from heated thermoplastic and solvent-based paint products
Slips on freshly applied wet paint or thermoplastic material
Control Measures
- Install Chapter 8 traffic management before any road marking work begins in the carriageway.
- Wear Class 3 high-visibility clothing and retroreflective PPE at all times during the operation.
- Wear heat-resistant gloves and eye protection when handling or dispensing hot thermoplastic material.
- Use RPE when applying solvent-based marking paints in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
- Keep the thermoplastic kettle at the correct temperature and never overheat the material.
- Maintain a safe distance from live traffic lanes and use a lookout where visibility is limited.
- Deploy cones and signs to protect freshly marked areas until the material has cooled and set.
- Brief the marking crew on the traffic management layout and emergency procedures before starting.
- Ensure a first aider with burns training is available during all hot thermoplastic operations.
Remember
- Chapter 8 traffic management must be fully in place before any marking work begins
- Wear heat-resistant gloves and eye protection when handling hot thermoplastic material
- Never overheat thermoplastic material above the manufacturer's recommended temperature
- Use a lookout to warn of approaching traffic where visibility is limited
- Protect freshly marked areas with cones until the material has cooled and set
Applicable Legislation: Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 · COSHH 2002 · New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
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