Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/31

 On completion of the works or following the removal of temporary traffic management arrangements, if earlier, an inspection shall be carried out to ensure that all signs and delineators remaining are correct or else have been removed or covered as appropriate. Inspection shall include a drive through or visual inspection, as appropriate, to ensure that all temporary traffic management and signs have been removed and any permanent road signs that were temporarily covered or removed have been uncovered or reinstated correctly.

The following checks should be conducted during daylight hours prior to works to be conducted during the hours of darkness, as necessary:
 * stopping points for vehicles should be pre-determined and positively identified;
 * the proposed location for temporary signs, the start and end of tapers, and longitudinal coning should be positively identified;
 * relevant verges and central reservations should be inspected for hazards, and to ensure that there is adequate width to place the temporary signs safely;
 * consideration should be given to pre-placing signs in the central reservation or verge so that they then only need to be stood up at night;
 * carriageway crossing points should be checked to ensure that there are adequate sight lines to see oncoming traffic; and
 * the position of any overhead electric lines likely to impinge on the planned traffic management activity should be positively identified.

Traffic flows and other factors dictate that some traffic management activities are conducted during the hours of darkness. Such operations require additional pre-planning, resources and procedures to those needed for daytime activities.

Although the risk of encountering high traffic flows are reduced by working during the night, other factors such as poor driver behaviour, higher speeds, fatigue, difficulty in judging distances and limited vision will increase the risk of working during the night. Throughout the hours of darkness, coning and signing shall be supplemented by the addition of warning lights and high intensity flashing warning lights as appropriate. These high intensity lights may be used only as prescribed by regulation 54. See Section O4.7.

Further detailed guidance on working at night can be found in "Guidance for Safer Temporary Traffic Management", (CSS/HA/HSE 2002); see References (Appendix 3).

Traffic management operatives and contractors should be aware of the effects of adverse weather, such as decreased visibility in fog or heavy rain, increased stopping distances, and the reflective glare of sunlight on a wet road surface. It is essential that a risk assessment identifies clearly the hazards associated with adverse weather and that adequate controls are in place. Wherever possible, the traffic management operator should seek agreement with the client regarding the acceptable limits of adverse weather prior to work taking place. 29