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There are various occasions where works on the footpaths and highways adjacent to The Company’s construction sites occur. This procedure will provide information and guidance and will enable those managing these operations to do so in an effective and responsible manner.
All works will be carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and more specifically, the New Roads and Street Works Act and Code of Practice (Chapter 8).
The specific code of practice requires that road users are not put at risk and should be informed well in advance of any obstruction. This also applies to vulnerable users – including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and horse riders – as well as drivers. Particular attention must be given to the needs of the blind and disabled people, children, elderly people and people with prams.
Such operations should only be carried out under the supervision of a competent supervisor who has received the relevant training and is aware of the requirements of the code of practice (NRSWA certificate of competence). A qualified person must be in attendance at all times. Other than the supervisor, all operatives must be given appropriate induction training before starting work.
The project management team are responsible for implementation of this procedure. The Operations Director is responsible for monitoring compliance with this procedure.
As required by previously stated legislation, a safe system of work must be established prior to work commencing. This takes the form of a method statement and assessment of the risk involved. This document will:
Outline the scope and sequence of works incl. Location plans, drawings, signage and lighting, etc.;
Identify roles and responsibilities e. g. Supervisor, foreman, engineer etc. (and proof of relevant qualifications and training) N.B. Major road-works may involve confined space operations and therefore competence in this aspect of work is required;
State Plant and equipment required;
Identify measures for the protection of third parties and maintenance of such;
Identify first aid and emergency procedures;
PPE/RPE details and arrangements
The following pages contains typical road and street works layout drawings and give an indication of what will be required.
When pedestrians are diverted to temporary footways in the carriageway, suitable ramps must be provided to enable people using wheelchairs or pushchairs to negotiate kerbs safely.
Ramps should cover the full width of the temporary footway (minimum of 1 metre) and should be constructed from materials strong enough to support pedestrians, preferably with edging to prevent wheelchairs slipping over the edge. They may be made on site, e.g. from wood or bitumastic materials, or prefabricated. Ramps should slope gently enough to enable wheelchair users and pushchairs to reach the kerb without undue difficulty. Ideally, the layout should include a platform at kerb level which would allow wheelchair users to turn through 90° before descending the ramp in a line that is parallel to the kerb. Ramps must be fixed in position, allow for rain water to run along the gutter, and should have a slip resistant surface.
Footway Boards should only be used on footways to maintain foot and light vehicle access to premises during excavation works.
Footway Boards used for bridging excavations must provide at least 1 metre width for pedestrians, but preferably 1.5 metres, must be strong enough to support pedestrians, and must be made from material which is unlikely to become distorted. Where used for light vehicles the boards must be capable of supporting the added load and, where used on a vehicle crossover the whole width of the crossover must be boarded.
The edges of Footway Boards must be chamfered to prevent tripping and should have a slip resistant surface. The sides of the excavation should be stable or suitably supported under the board, and the board should be rigidly fixed with sufficient length beyond the excavation to provide the necessary support. The edges of the footway boards adjacent to the excavation should be fenced to prevent falls.
Road Plates may be required to bridge excavations in order to open the carriageway to traffic, e.g. during traffic sensitive periods, at night or at weekends. [Their use must always be authorised by your supervisor who will decide on the size and thickness of the plate to be used. The thickness will depend on the width of excavation to be spanned and the type of traffic expected to use them.]
Road Plates must be made of suitable material with an appropriate skid resistant surface. Their installation must not present a hazard to cyclists or motorcyclists.
The sides of the excavations must be suitably supported beneath the road plates, and they must be rigidly secured to the road surface. Road Plates must be either sunk into the surface or suitable bitumastic material used to provide a ramp to the plate level. Where ramps are used, appropriate Ramp Warning signs should be used when there is a significant change in the road level.
The edges of the Road Plates adjacent to the excavation should be fenced to prevent falls.
Certain works may require approval from the local authority highways department; therefore they should be contacted at the earliest possible stage in the planning process and allowed for in the programme. Additionally, the identification of underground services must be carried out prior to starting work e.g. electricity cables, gas mains, sewers/drainage, fibre optics etc.
Such works must be overseen by a competent Supervisor having prescribed New roads and Street works Qualifications, additionally, at least one trained operative having prescribed qualifications must be on site at all times.
Vehicle and plant accident: - The potential for this type of accident to occur is high and therefore stringent and robust safe working practices must be adhered to. (As illustrated in the code of practise).
Accidents to the public: - The sudden appearance of workmen can startle drivers. As above, the provision of a complete system of advance warning signs is absolutely essential, together with a suitable traffic control system.
Underground / Overhead cables: - A survey prior to work is recommended to identify services in the area and that appropriate protective measures are established.
This procedure gives a broad indication of the planning and consideration that must be applied before carrying out such works. As previously stated, specific guidance is to be obtained from the Safety at Street Works and Road works – code of practice (Chapter 8). This publication outlines:
Traffic control – road widths, signals etc;
Signage;
Distances; Protection of excavations, footpaths, ramps etc;
Work areas, etc
