O4.5.2 Devices similar to traffic cones, e.g. police "no waiting" signs, are sometimes used as mounting structures for signs. These mounting structures are not then regarded as traffic cones and are not required to conform with the provisions of regulation 56. The sign face must be flat and not wrapped around the cone (see working drawing P636).
O4.5.3 Traffic cones complying with diagram 7101.1 can be used to support signs to diagram 7104 and 7105 in accordance with direction 41(6) and traffic tape or other lightweight barriers used in the demarcation of safety zones within the site.
O4.5.4 Road work signs should be located so that if a vehicle leaves the carriageway the consequences are minimised. The following procedures for signs may also be appropriate for temporary gantries and other temporary equipment; further guidance is given in TD 19 "Requirement for road restraint systems" (DMRB 2.2.8):
- the sign could be mounted behind a length of existing safety barrier;
- a new length of safety barrier could be provided around the sign;
- the sign could be mounted further away from the carriageway; and
- the sign could be mounted on a passively safe structure designed to minimise vehicle damage and injury to occupants.
O4.5.5 Guidance on the mounting of temporary traffic management signing on central barriers, especially concrete barriers, can be found on the HA website at www.highways.gov.uk.
O4.5.6 Road works signs should be sited to minimise danger to pedestrians by ensuring that they have sufficient width for safe passage at all times. See also Section O3.13.
O4.5.7 Scaffold poles aligned with the carriageway shall not be used.
O4.5.8 Mounting posts shall not project above the top of the sign because of the additional hazard this poses in the event of a collision.
O4.5.9 The colour of the backs of signs is prescribed in direction 41 but the sign frame/post may be any single colour. Frames may therefore be painted a conspicuous colour, e.g. yellow, to delineate the edge of a sign for the benefit of pedestrians. It is recommended that signs on footways are accompanied by a traffic cone to ensure conspicuity if it is considered that the mounting fails to do so.
O4.5.10 Extracts from Table A1.1 (Appendix 1), in characters not exceeding 25 mm high, may be marked on the back of signs to assist operators to place them at the appropriate distance from the works.
O4.5.11 For details of safety clearances to be maintained see Section O3.2.
O4.5.12 Cone bases, sign plates and frames should be marked to facilitate identification of ownership. It is unlawful (see regulation 56(4) and direction 42) to place such marks on the front face of a sign, and it is poor working practice to place them anywhere on the front of a frame which is visible to oncoming traffic during normal usage.
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