A4APPENDIX — INSPECTION STOPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
A4.1 The signing and guarding requirements differ depending on the location and duration of the works, as set out below;
Stops on hard shoulder:
- short duration (up to 15 minutes): no temporary traffic management required;
- medium duration (from 15 minutes up to 90 minutes): refer to Plan |N|1; and
- long duration (greater than 90 minutes): comply with the hard shoulder closure requirements in Section D6.10.
Stops on verges on roads with or without hard shoulders:
- short duration (up to 15 minutes): no temporary traffic management required; and
- durations greater than 15 minutes: refer to Plan INI2.
A4.2 The planning of any hard shoulder or roadside verge work should include the following non-exclusive list of considerations:
- the length of time needed to carry out the work;
- traffic volumes and patterns, including when and where the peak traffic flows occur;
- worker visibility, including whether the work will be carried out in darkness;
- available parking locations, including the number of vehicles required for the work; and
- getting into and out of the work location.
A4.3 Vehicles should be parked facing in the same direction as the traffic flow; at least 0.5 m away from the live lane in a manner that avoids obscuring sightlines. If this distance cannot be achieved then alternative temporary traffic management arrangements will be required.
A4.4 A roof-mounted flashing amber warning beacon, visible through 360°, is to be used throughout the work period for short-duration stops (up to 15 minutes). For all other stops (durations greater than 15 minutes) the beacon is only to be used when entering and leaving the works.
A4.5 In addition to complying with the safe working methods for their specific work activity personnel:
- should be at least 1.2 m away from the live lane. (Note: If this distance cannot be achieved then alternative temporary traffic management arrangements will be required);
- wear a high visibility jacket to BS EN 471, Table 1: Class 3 throughout the work period;
- get in and out the vehicle from the nearside if possible;
- load and unload tools and equipment from the nearside of the vehicle; and
- work at least 18 m from the front of the works vehicle(s), facing oncoming traffic (Note: If this is not practical an additional person may be needed to act as a look-out).
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