6Investigations, inspections, road lighting or signal works#

6.1Investigations and inspections#

6.1.1Description and criteria#

Prior to undertaking these work activities, a risk assessment must be undertaken to ensure the works can be safely completed. Risk considerations are outlined in Section 2.2.1.

For activities associated with investigations or inspections, including the viewing or measuring a section of roadway or road feature (for example, for maintenance or planning purposes), or a similar activity where road works are not being undertaken, no specific TTM controls are required where:

1. a)the activity is clear of the roadway: the exception to this would be where the activity is carried out while crossing the road, for example, measuring the lane width – if the activity cannot be carried out while crossing the road and may take longer to complete, the works may be undertaken in accordance with Section 4.2 (work between gaps in traffic)

• b) the vehicle used for the investigation or inspection is parked well clear of the traffic lanes or parked where parking would be legal and the safety of other road users is not compromised and a vehicle-mounted warning device in accordance with Section 3.4 is displayed on the work vehicle and has a minimum sight distance (see Table 6.1.1) for approaching road users
• c) personnel use existing footpaths or verges, and
• d) investigating or inspecting personnel may cross the road safely within gaps in traffic. In this case, the minimum sight distance to personnel for approaching drivers is to be as per Table 6.1.1.

Personnel carrying out investigations or inspections should wear high-visibility clothing at all times when they are not in their vehicles.

The works vehicle placement should consider the effect on vulnerable road users including cyclists and the road worker should always have a clear exit path from the road and ensure that this is not blocked by the placement of the work vehicle.

Investigations or inspections do not require a TGS when the works are completed in accordance with this section; however, a TGS may be developed and included in a generic TGS selection system for investigation or inspection activities.

6.2Road lighting or signal works#

6.2.1Description and criteria#

Prior to undertaking these work activities, a risk assessment must be undertaken to ensure the works can be safely completed. Risk considerations are outlined in Section 2.2.1.

Examples of work appropriate for this treatment include, but are not limited to, maintenance and installation of power poles, lights, wires and traffic signals.

Road lighting or signal works may be undertaken by workers on foot with a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted warning device (see Section 3.4) without the use of advance warning signs under the following conditions:

• a) where the vehicle is positioned where parking is legal and the safety of other road users is not compromised, and the vehicle does not obstruct the traffic flow:
• i. the maximum work period at any one location must be one hour, and
• ii. a minimum clearance of 5.5 m must be maintained above the road surface to any part of the maintenance vehicle that encroaches upon the open traffic lane, or
• b) where the vehicle is positioned other than outlined in Item a):
• i. the maximum work period at any one location must be:
• A. five minutes if on the roadway or within 1.2 m of moving traffic, or
• B. 20 minutes if within 3 m of moving traffic but more than 1.2 m from moving traffic, and
• ii. the following sight distance to the vehicle-mounted warning device for approaching drivers must be:
• A. in a residential street, 75 m or to the end of the street, or
• B. in all other locations, a minimum as per Table 6.2.1(a), and
• iii. the vehicle-mounted warning device must not be obscured by either overhanging vegetation or a raised truck body, and
• iv. the work must not reduce:
• A. the overall width to less than required for safe passage for two-way traffic (or one-way traffic if the volume is less than 50 vehicles per day), or
• B. the running lane width adjacent to a barrier line to less than that needed to allow vehicles to proceed without crossing the line.
• c) A lookout person must be posted to warn workers on foot of the approach of any vehicle whose size or speed may constitute a safety threat. The lookout person is not required if the works are more than 1.2 m clear of moving traffic.

If required, the lookout person must be positioned adjacent to the worker so that they can view approaching traffic in time to warn workers to vacate the roadway before arrival of traffic. The recommended sight distance at which the lookout person should be able to see approaching traffic is as per Table 6.2.1(b). This distance allows for the worker to respond to a warning and vacate the roadway.

When using lookouts in Queensland, additional guidance and requirements for the Lookout Protection Method, in the Guideline – Traffic Management at Works on Roads must be applied.

The works vehicle placement should consider the effect on vulnerable road users including cyclists and the road workers should always have a clear exit path from the road and ensure that this is not blocked by the placement of the work vehicle.

Road lighting or signal works do not require a TGS when the works are completed in accordance with this section; however, a TGS may be developed and included in a generic TGS selection system for road lighting or signal works activities.

Vehicles used to install signage and equipment must, at a minimum, have a yellow flashing lamp(s) visible to all approaching traffic.

Before any equipment or materials are brought onto the work area, a visual check of the worksite traffic management set-up (vehicle-mounted warning devices and lookout (if required) are in place, and sight distance requirements are met) should be made in all directions, including all side roads and property accesses if required. This is to confirm that the work area is safe for all workers and road users, and signs and devices are placed as required by this section, or as indicated on the TGS (if provided).

Where the requirements of this section or another suitable section in this Part cannot be met, the treatments of a fully-protected static worksite (see QGTTM Part 3) or mobile works convoy (see QGTTM Part 4) must be applied.