TWK/General/TBT-TWK-017

Temporary Works Adjacent to Highways

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Temporary works adjacent to highways include propping, shoring, scaffolding, and barriers near live traffic.
Vehicle impact from errant drivers is a foreseeable risk that the temporary works design must account for.
Collapse of temporary works onto a live carriageway endangers drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The temporary works design must consider construction loading, wind, and accidental vehicle impact loads.
Vehicle restraint barriers may be required between the temporary works and live traffic lanes.
CDM 2015 requires all temporary works to be designed, checked, and approved by competent persons.
Highway authority approval is typically required before erecting temporary works within the highway boundary.
Inspection of temporary works adjacent to highways must be more frequent due to the exposure to vehicle impact.
Temporary traffic management must protect both the temporary works and the workers erecting or removing them.
Lighting and reflective markings on temporary works adjacent to highways help drivers see and avoid the structure.

Prevent collapse onto traffic	Temporary works failure adjacent to a highway can drop debris or structures onto moving vehicles, causing fatal crashes.
Vehicle impact risk	Errant vehicles can strike temporary works at speed — the design must resist or be protected from impact loads.
Legal compliance	CDM 2015 and highway authority requirements impose strict duties for temporary works within or adjacent to highways.

Don't

Ensure the temporary works design considers accidental vehicle impact loading where applicable
Obtain highway authority approval before erecting temporary works within the highway boundary
Install vehicle restraint barriers between temporary works and live traffic where required
Apply reflective markings and lighting to temporary works visible to approaching traffic
Set up traffic management before erecting or dismantling temporary works near live lanes
Inspect temporary works adjacent to highways more frequently than those in protected areas
Brief the team on the traffic hazards and emergency procedures before starting any work
Ensure the TWC approves the design, erection method, and inspection schedule before starting
Monitor temporary works for signs of vehicle impact damage after each working shift
Remove temporary works from the highway corridor as soon as they are no longer needed

DON'T erect temporary works near highways without accounting for vehicle impact in the design
DON'T start erection without traffic management protecting workers from live traffic
DON'T leave temporary works unmarked or unlit where drivers may not see them at night
DON'T skip the highway authority approval process for works within the highway boundary
DON'T reduce inspection frequency for temporary works exposed to traffic and weather
DON'T allow temporary works components to project into live traffic lanes or hard shoulders
DON'T store materials against temporary works where they could fall onto the carriageway
DON'T ignore vehicle impact damage to temporary works — inspect and repair immediately
DON'T dismantle temporary works near live traffic without signed traffic management in place
DON'T treat highway-adjacent temporary works the same as those in protected site areas

See also: Temporary Works Awareness | Chapter 8 Signing, Lighting and Guarding

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