BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Whenevery vehicles or plant are moving or working alongside pedestrians or pedestrian operatives on any roadwork’s site, there is a high accident potential. Roadwork’s applies to both new highway construction and resurfacing of exisiting highways. Similar work may be drainage operations, kerb laying, gully clearing etc. All these activties, when undertaken alongside an existing road have the potential to be extremely dangerous.

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HAZARDS

• Live traffic moving at speed within the vicinity of operatives
• Reversing vehicles on site
• Burns and fire risk when carrying out hot works, ie working with bituminous materials
• Carcino genic nature of pitch, tar and mineral oils
• Overhead and underground cables

HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS

• All operatives will high visibility clothing at all times
• All vehicles must be fitted with Amber flashing becons on roof or on top of vehicle and these will be swithced on whilst entering/leaving the works area
• You must obey the instructions of your supervisor
• You must not enter the part of the motorway open to traffic
• You must not move cones or signs unless it is absolutely essetial and you are authorized to do so.
• No unauthorized person allowed on site
• If you see an accident on the motorway, use the nearest Emergency Service on the site to contact
• Only give assistance to an accident when requested by the authorizations
• When buffer lanes are in use they must be kept clear at all times. Entry in not permitted for vehicles or personnel. In the event of an accident the buffer lane is used as access for emergency vehicles
• When driving on site keep as sharp look out for any other operations, e.g. excavating, piling and concreting. Slow down when approaching pedestrian operatives and make sure that they are aware of your presence
• You must only enter and leave the site at the authorized points; you must not enter or leave site by any other route. Observe site speed limits
• Take particular care when entering and leaving site where traffic leaves or merges with motorway traffic
• Van and Wagon drivers do not reverse without the assistance of a banksman
• Good housekeeping is essential on site

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QUSTION TIME

• What do you consider to be the main hazard associated with working alongside existing roads?
• When is the only time you should assist at the scene of an accident?
• You have to move several cones to allow access to a delivery vehicle, what’s the last thing you must ensure?

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SAFETY REMINDER

You must be ALERT at all times and keep a sharp look out, not only for vehicles and plant movements, but also for vehicles which have entered the site in error. WEAR YOU HIGH VISIBILITY SHIRTS (HI-VIS)