A risk assessment must be carried out for all works before work begins. The risk assessment must take account of road layout and speed of traffic, the works to be undertaken, location, duration and restoration of work site to original state. The risk assessment or method statement may identify additional signing, lighting and guarding that is needed to ensure the safety of road users and operatives.
Operatives carrying out the works should understand the requirements and be clear how they are going to sign, light and guard the site before work begins. The following requirements are the minimum standards for mobile works or sites of short duration activities.
Some short duration works may be undertaken without the use of static signs or cones provided that a site specific risk assessment demonstrates that traffic can pass the works vehicle safely and without difficulty, and there is low risk to operatives and road users. Examples might include meter reading, leak detection or gully emptying alongside a single carriageway road where operatives are working wholly on the footway or verge.
It is recommended that on single carriageway roads with more than two lanes and on dual carriageways, the works are carried out with an impact protection vehicle to safeguard operatives (see figures Mobile works on a dual carriageway with a speed limit of 40 mph of less, Short duration stops less than 15 minutes on a dual carriageway with a speed limit of 40 mph or less and Short duration stops more than 15 minutes on a dual carriageway with a speed limit of 40 mph or less). The risk assessment might identify the need for an impact protection vehicle on other, single carriageway roads.
The risk assessment might identify that full traffic management and a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order reducing the speed limit is required for safe working, which will require advance planning.
A static lane closure may be appropriate where work is being carried out on a central reservation.
