Code of Practice - Safety at Street Works and Road Works. (February 2002)

Answer:

Each site must be viewed individually and assessed accordingly following an on-site risk assessment to ensure that a safe system of working in respect of signing, lighting and guarding is in place at all times.

The Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of Practice page 28 states: "If you have to close the footway or part of a footway, you must provide a safe route for pedestrians which should include access to adjacent buildings, properties and public areas. Page 29 states: "The use of the other footway may be acceptable in some quiet roads, but if you select this option you must ensure that the alternative route is safe to use, and you must take account of the needs of children and people with disabilities."

This implies that ramps must be provided both sides of the carriageway. I am not aware of kerb ramps being signed as they will not protrude far enough into the carriageway to affect vehicular traffic, and pedestrians would be expected to be on the footway and not in the gutter. If signing were required it is likely to reduce the carriageway to less than the minimum width which would be the case if pedestrians were directed onto a temporary footway in the carriageway, whereas in both cases traffic control would be required.

Answer:

The corrections to the known errors are contained in an "errata" stuck to the inside of the front cover. The corrections detailed in the errata have been incorporated into the DTLR website version of the Code at http://www.street-works.dtlr.gov.uk . This implies that a re-print of the current code is unlikely.

Answer:

The Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of Practice siting distance (D) is 20 to 45 metres for single carriageway roads restricted to 30mph or less as detailed at the back of the booklet. One of the mandatory requirements that allow the use of "Give and Take" is a speed limit of 30mph or under. The illustration on page 55 gives a range of 23 to 46 metres and is wrong. It was obviously missed by the Working Party.

Answer:

The Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of Practice refers to High Visibility Clothing conforming to BS EN471 : 1994, Table 1, Class 2 or 3 complying with the requirements of clause 4.2.3(b) in all cases. Jackets with sleeves in must be in accordance with Clause 4.2.4 and to Class 3.

Not having access to the relevant BS documents I cannot assist further, however the BSI Homepage on http://www.bsi-global.com/ may be able to assist, but it will not search at present.

Answer:

The most recent legislation is the "Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of Practice" which came into affect on the 1st February 2002 and has statutory backing in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Answer:

As I understand it, when the Working Party got together the issues for proposed site assessments procedure for street works safety were considered for both Highways' work and Utilities' work. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act, employers have duties to protect their employees from dangers to their health and Safety, and to protect others who might be affected by work activity.

Compliance with the Code will be taken as compliance with legal requirements to which it relates. It is highly recommended through National HAUC UK, the Highways Authorities in England, Wales, Roads Authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland should comply with this Code for their own works, as recommended by the respective national administrations, because it promotes Best Practice.

Mobile Works
The mobile operation involves three key operations;

• Periodic stops
• Short duration static works.
• Minor Works non-excavations, with use of single vehicle or a number of small vehicles.

The answer to your question should be based upon a Risk Assessment. The issues seem to revolve mainly around the works being considered as periodic stops or short duration static works, on which 2 to 4 hours has been mooted. If the works tend to extend beyond this period, I would find Page 40 of the Code of Practice, a far more preferable option. The National speed limit should apply, irrespective of the type of works and I would not consider this as a strong argument.

Just a little history on the review of this Code. This was split up into two stages.
1) Review the site, looking for hazards;

The site of the proposed works must be examined to identify the hazards particular to the site, including:

• Road speed limits, actual traffic speeds, traffic density.
• Existing road signs and other street furniture.
• Width of carriageways and footways in relation to the proposed works.
• The layout of roads including, junctions and roundabouts, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings.
• Road bends, road dips and crests and adjacent trees which will reduce visibility.
• On-street parking controlled or otherwise, which may obstruct signing, for example outside shops.
• Special hazards for example railways or tramways level crossing, filling stations, overhead lines
• Traffic calming measures e.g. road humps.

2) Consider the risks associated with each hazard; who might be hurt and how?

How to consider the possible accidents which might involve operatives, drivers of vehicles in the traffic streams, cyclists and pedestrians.

• Hazards to operatives.
• Hazards to drivers(traffic).
• Hazards to pedestrians.
• Hazards to cyclists.

Remember that safety is your most important concern, although we may have contractors working on our behalf, we are still the promoting companies, albeit, Highway or Utility. The "Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code" has statutory backing and failure to comply may lead to a criminal prosecution in addition to any civil proceedings.

Answer:

Yes, it is a statutory requirement to use bilingual signing, as from the 1st February,2002.

Answer:

The Current Code of Practice only requires the use of the 1 mile advance warning sign on unrestricted roads where congestion is likely. This is in contrast to the more generic statement quoted.

Answer:

This must be an issue for the National Assembly for Wales and their requirements for bilingual signs. Other than political considerations the cost of implementation would affect all utilities working in Wales. The Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of Practice allows the use of certain bilingual signs as shown on pages 12, 13 and 14 which includes the information board.

Welsh HAUC may wsh to consider an Advice Note as opposes to a supplement to the "Red Book" for bilingual road signs (actual wording), but the physical size of the signs may not permit legible wording.

Answer:

 The new Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice states:-
"Road Danger Lamps must be used at night on roads with a speed limit of 40mph or above. On roads with a lower speed limit, judgement may be used as to whether Road Danger Lamps are needed, depending on the standard of street lighting." It also states that Road Danger Lamps are to be used in poor daytime visibility and bad weather.
It is a mandatory requirement to carry out an on-site risk assessment to ensure that a safe system of working in respect of signing, lighting and guarding is in place at all times. It is therefore incorrect to state that road danger lamps are not required on any roads with speed limit of less than 40mph. Each site must be viewed individually and assessed accordingly
When barriers are used it also says:- "Place road danger lamps at the ends of the barriers at night so that may be clearly seen by pedestrians." It does not refer to footway, carriageway or speed limits.

Answer:

The new second edition "Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways" Code of Practice due out in July 2002 will give excellent background information. Section 1.8 deals with Apparatus within Road Structures. Additionally, the Code of Practice "Measures necessary where Apparatus is affected by Major Works (Diversionary Works) also gives excellent background information . Section 5.4 deals with apparatus at risk during construction. The Working Party cannot assist with statistical information.

Answer:

 Section 65 of NRSWA applies the legal clout whereas in 65(1) undertakers shall ensure that any part of the street undergoing street works is adequately guarded and lit. Failure to comply with an associated code of practice giving guidance issued by the Secretary of State, is an offence and is laible on summary conviction to a fine 65(4).
If an undertaker does not comply with 65(1) a street authority may take steps as appear necessary and recover their reasonable costs 65(5). Thus the power of the street authority lies in its ability to rectify a wrong without without the power to directly close a site down.
I am unaware of any greater powers for highway inspectors other than issuing defect notices for signing, lighting and guarding inadequacies OR closing a site down under Health and Safety Act.

Answer:

Page 18 of the Safety at Street Works and Road Works A Code of practice gives details of barrier requirements. Barriers facing vehicular traffic should be fully retroflective and red and white as per page 31. Pedestrian barriers may be of several contrasting colours; yellow, white or orange are best detected by partially sighted people, but red and white retroflective barriers are acceptable. Contrasting colours are not a requirement. Additionally, tapping rails for the blind or partially sighted people may be red and white and retroflective.