Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/71

 Operatives should undertake regular refresher training to ensure their knowledge and skills remain up to date. Sector schemes require operatives and supervisors to be reassessed every five years and to attend refresher training as part of that re-assessment process. The Street Works (Qualifications of Supervisors and Operatives) Regulations 1992 will provide the necessary details in regard to undertakers’ street works.

On the Highways Agency network in England, the organisations engaged in traffic management operations are required to comply fully with the requirements of the National Highway Sector Schemes. All operatives are required to carry the appropriate registration card at all times when working and the contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all operatives (including any sub-contract personnel) meet these requirements.

Where a Traffic Safety and Control Officer (TCSO) is required by the contract (see paragraph O7.7.2), they should possess a broad experience of the highways construction industry, combined with the ability to interpret the requirements set out in the contract documents. The requirements for TSCO competency are mandatory in England and Wales from 1 April 2009. They should have a detailed knowledge of the temporary traffic management industry and motorways and trunk roads. In England, Scotland and Wales they shall hold a Sector Scheme 12A Traffic Safety and Control Officer Registration card. Information on the criteria for this are included in Clause 117 of the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (Volume 1 Specification for Highway Works).

It is essential that the operative/supervisor in overall charge of any road works involving portable traffic signals on a public highway has a full understanding of the signing requirements and the correct operation of the signals and likely consequences if they are improperly set. Site personnel should therefore have attained the appropriate Street Works Qualification (in the case of undertaker street works) as set out in the Regulations or (in the case of Highway Authority road works) attend a suitable course on the use of portable traffic signal equipment and correct signing of works. Information on training and competency assessment is provided in National Highway Sector Scheme 12D.

Whenever possible exposure to hazards should be eliminated or otherwise minimised at source by careful selection of the method of working, plant and material being used, rather than by the issue of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) e.g. by minimising noise at source rather than providing hearing protection. The use of PPE shall not be considered as an alternative to efforts to eliminate or reduce risks. If hazards cannot be eliminated, items of PPE may assist in controlling the residual risk.

The workforce and site supervisory staff must wear high visibility warning clothing at all times when on site. Clothing shall comply with BS EN 471 Table 1, Class 2 or 3 (Class 3 on motorways or other high-speed roads) and shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 4.2.3(b) of the Standard. The colour of the clothing shall normally be fluorescent yellow or fluorescent orange-red complying with Table 2 of the Standard. The retroreflective material shall be to Class 2 as defined in Table 5 of the Standard. In addition, on motorways and other high-speed roads, high visibility jackets or coveralls shall have full length sleeves meeting the requirement of paragraph 4.2.4 of BS EN 471. This requirement may be varied to three-quarter-length sleeves where a risk assessment shows full length sleeves would present increased risk due to the activity being undertaken. Staff should also wear high visibility trousers complying with Class 1 of BS EN 471 where the carrying of large items of equipment or other activities may at any time obscure the visibility of the high visibility jacket or vest.

When appropriate, weatherproof clothing should be worn. Extra care should be taken when hoods are worn because they can restrict the field of vision. At no time should weatherproof clothing obscure high visibility clothing.

High visibility warning clothing shall be clean and in a serviceable condition. Damaged or degraded PPE shall be replaced. 69