Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/18

GENERAL

At all sites where works are being carried out above public roads, vehicles and pedestrians shall be protected adequately from falling objects by nets, platforms or other devices. Before any reduction in working height is effected, the Highway Authority shall be consulted so that hauliers and bus operators can be advised of the changed circumstances. The Highway Authority may require a licence and an indemnity for devices etc. placed over the highway.

There is a considerable stock of existing information about the site that may help to ensure the safety of those involved with the works. This shall be gathered by those responsible for the works, and where appropriate, shared with those responsible for the traffic management operation. This could include:
 * the design brief – see Part 1: Design, Section D2.3;
 * health and safety plan/risk assessment;
 * information on traffic flows and patterns, peak periods etc.;
 * the presence of underground and/or overhead services. See HSE documents HSG47 "Avoiding Danger from Underground Services" and HSE GS 6 "Avoidance of danger from overhead electric power lines";
 * the presence of rail crossings and other rail signalling equipment which, for example, may affect the location of portable signals;
 * local weather conditions, e.g. susceptibility to fog or local flooding; and
 * safe refuges for vehicles used in association with the temporary traffic management.

The organisation undertaking the temporary traffic management operations shall always be provided with information, by the designer, relating to highway features and traffic levels for the area for which the operations are proposed. For example: 16
 * carriageway layout, lane widths and levels;
 * narrow central reservations;
 * narrow or weak hard shoulders;
 * VMS signs and/or matrix signals;
 * safe taper positions;
 * absence of hard shoulder;
 * specific locations without provision for stationary traffic management vehicles off carriageway;
 * permanent mounting facilities for temporary signs; and
 * traffic data.