O6WORKFORCE ISSUES
O6.1 GENERAL
O6.1.1 Workforce issues are dealt with in detail in the document "Guidance for Safer Temporary Traffic Management", (CSS/HA/HSE 2002); see References (Appendix 3). This document makes reference to other documents where further detailed guidance can be found.
O6.1.2 Authority to stop on a motorway for maintenance purposes is covered by the Motorway Regulations. Inspections and surveys are covered by the Regulations which state that any inspection, survey, investigation or census is to be carried out in accordance with any general or specific authority granted by the Secretary of State. All personnel who carry out this kind of work on motorways are required to carry a pass certifying that the bearer is required to carry out the inspections etc. by authority of the Secretary of State. This pass also serves to establish the bearer’s credentials if required by the police.
O6.1.3 In order to counteract risk of complacency or loss of concentration, members of the workforce should be briefed by the appropriate team leader on the specific tasks, local risks and control measures to be enforced during the next work operation or period. Such briefings should take account of the experience of the workforce and be conducted at appropriate intervals commensurate with the location and the tasks involved.
O6.2TRAINING
O6.2.1 Each operative engaged in the installation, removal and maintenance of traffic management equipment shall be competent in the particular activity in which they are involved and should have a full understanding of the signing requirements for the activity and the correct operation of the equipment they are using. Only adequately trained and competent operatives and foremen/supervisors should be engaged in temporary traffic management operations.
O6.2.2 In the case of undertaker street works, members of the workforce with particular roles shall hold a current Street Works Qualification. This may be as an Operative, Supervisor or both – in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991 and associated regulations.
O6.2.3 In the case of Highway Authority road works, members of the workforce should have successfully completed the appropriate nationally recognised training and have been successfully assessed for competency against national standards for temporary traffic management. Training includes appropriate driver instruction for use of impact protection vehicles within static traffic management operations and mobile lane closure operations. Specific requirements relating to training for the Mobile Lane Closure technique and the Mobile Carriageway Closure technique are contained in Sections O10.3 and O11.10 respectively.
O6.2.4 The National Highway Sector Schemes (NHSS) 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D provide details of one such nationally recognised training and competency assessment regime that may be considered appropriate for Highway Authority road works traffic management activities. Although NHSS 12D recognises the training, assessment and accreditation for street works (see New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991 and Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004), it provides for training and competency assessment beyond that required by the 1991 Act including requirements for risk assessment and positive temporary traffic management for activities other than those covered by the Act.
O6.2.5 Other sector schemes such as NHSS13A also include requirements for temporary traffic management based on the training and competency assessment requirement contained in NHSS 12A to 12D. Details of all these sector schemes can be downloaded from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, UKAS website, www.ukas.com.
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