Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/89

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

If provided, CCTV should be monitored continuously. To be effective the camera locations need to be carefully selected to ensure comprehensive coverage both through the site and on the approaches. The control centre should be in the site compound if possible, and serve as the main communications link to recovery, contractor’s and resident engineer’s staff and the emergency services. Multiple means of communications, such as site radios, land-line telephones and mobile telephones should be provided to ensure a continuous communication facility. The operatives should be well trained and appreciate the key role that they play in ensuring the smooth operation of the layout.

CCTV facilities can be particularly useful in providing accurate reports to the regional traffic control centre, police, motoring organisations and local radio stations on any traffic problems during peak periods.

The effective analysis of incidents and accurate assembly of information is essential if long term monitoring is to be meaningful. Incident reports leading on to appropriate levels of investigation are the basis for all further analysis. The Highway Authority should be consulted for the appropriate procedure for reporting incidents.

The police must be informed of all road accidents which involve an injury occurring on that section of highway open to public use and, on behalf of HM Coroner, of any deaths occurring on site.

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), basic reports, using form F2508, are required by the HSE for certain categories of accident and incident. These are not required for accidents unless they are caused as a result of the works.

The statutory requirement to record and report incidents under RIDDOR 1995 and section 25 of the needs to be augmented by the creation of a management tool for the project which records all site incidents, including particularly those which are traffic management related.

This incident management system needs to incorporate a feature which will identify unexpected levels or categories of incidents, and this will facilitate early action to ameliorate any unsafe features in the project. In England, for works on the trunk road network, the appointment of a dedicated Traffic Safety and Control Officer (TSCO) under the terms of the contract provides a first line of reporting to assist in this procedure. The appropriate Highway Authority should be consulted for works on other roads.

The incident management system should include:
 * a formal reporting system;
 * providing review meetings;
 * establishing the person who has responsibility for record keeping;
 * an operational structure; and
 * outline contingency plans.

Further issues concerning incident management are considered in Appendix C of "Guidance for Safer Temporary Traffic Management" (CSS/HA/HSE 2002); see References (Appendix 3). 87