7.Record keeping#

7.1Records#

Supervisory personnel engaged in construction or maintenance work which requires the use of a traffic guidance scheme, should keep the following records:

• Daily records of the sign arrangement, or traffic guidance scheme should be kept in a diary or in work sheets. Special attention should be given to recording the installation, alteration and removal of all regulatory signs and devices, including speed restriction signs. For short-term construction or maintenance work, reference to a traffic guidance scheme which applies to the layout used, or to a documented procedure, will usually be sufficient. The records should include the hours of operation and surface condition of the road. Any significant changes or additions to, the signs and devices included in the relevant diagram(s) should also be noted.
• In the case of accidents, either witnessed or reported, involving the public or from which legal proceedings might arise, the actual type, size and location of signs and devices in use at the time of the accident should be recorded, and the sign arrangement photographed for subsequent reporting. Details of the actual width and condition of the travelled path and weather conditions should also be recorded.

7.2Daily routine tasks#

The following sets out recommended procedures and guidelines for the daily routine tasks and inspections required for the overall safety and smooth operation of a traffic guidance scheme.

7.3General#

Supervisory personnel should establish a daily routine, allocating specific tasks to workers and supervisors, so that:

• loss of production time is minimised
• plant operations are not disrupted
• signing at all times is adequate for the safety of workers and traffic, and
• the surface of the travelled path is maintained in a satisfactory condition.

A supervisor’s role in this routine procedure is coordination, inspection and correction.

7.4Before work starts#

The following routine should be undertaken before work starts each day:

• inspect all traffic signs and devices and make a note of signs out of place or damaged during the night, for subsequent rectification
• inspect all water-ballasted safety barrier or containment fence modules and make a note of any out of position modules, low water levels and damaged modules, for subsequent rectification
• check for safety and effectiveness by an inspection drive through job after adjustments have been made to the traffic management provisions for the day, and make a record of the signs erected and their locations.

7.5During work hours#

The following routine should be followed while work is in progress:

• Periodically drive through the worksite to check that all signs, markings and delineation devices, as seen by other road users, are satisfactory and in their correct position.
• Attend to any minor problems, as they occur.
• Move personnel clear of the work area during work breaks (e.g. tea breaks); park plant clear of traffic lanes, and remove from view or cover inappropriate signs such as Traffic Controller Ahead/PREPARE TO STOP or Workers (symbolic), if workers leave the site or cannot be seen.
• Instruct traffic controllers to remain on the job and relieve them as necessary, where there are traffic hazards, or where only one lane is open to traffic.
• Reposition barriers, signs and tapers as necessary (e.g. adjust the length of single lane traffic operation, as necessary, to keep it to a minimum), keep records of changes made, and the time these occurred.
• Coordinate maintenance of the travelled path with other job operations.

7.6Closing down at the end of the day#

The following action is required at the end of the day’s work:

• Carry out pre-closedown inspection, allowing time for urgent maintenance to the travelled path.
• Remove Traffic Controller Ahead/PREPARE TO STOP, Workers (symbolic) and other inappropriate signs.
• Affix and light lamps on advance signs, if appropriate.
• Drive through the worksite to confirm that signs and devices are in position and operating before leaving the site.
• Record any changes that have been made to the previously recorded sign arrangement or traffic guidance scheme.

7.7After hours#

During the hours when work is suspended:

• Make arrangements for workers to check lamps after dark and to maintain the lamp system during weekends and holidays.
• Provide after hours contact so that arrangements can be made to replace damaged signs, delineators or barriers.
• Ensure that a record is kept of signs found damaged, missing or out of place (and their location) at night, weekend or holiday inspections.
• Carry out periodic after dark inspections on low headlight beam to ensure that all devices are visible and working properly.