O7.4.3 A vehicle that has broken-down and is not located within the coned-off area will be a hazard, create congestion and should be treated as an emergency situation. If the repair activity or the recovery/removal procedure is likely to obstruct traffic flows or in any way be considered dangerous, then the road recovery operator shall inform the police or traffic officer service, as appropriate, and their assistance requested.
O7.4.4 Whilst a broken-down vehicle that is located within the coned-off area should be treated as an emergency situation, at all times the recovery operator must firstly consider their own safety and then the safety of the occupants of the casualty vehicle. The operator should carry out a risk assessment to ascertain how the incident should be dealt with. If the operator considers that the location and/or the nature of the incident make it too dangerous to attempt either a repair or removal without assistance, then they should inform their road recovery operator. The police or traffic officer service, as appropriate, should then be requested to attend to help protect the scene.
O7.4.5 If the exact location of the casualty vehicle is not known, the operator may need to drive through the area of road works in order to establish the most appropriate place to enter the coned-off area. Access to the works area is only to be gained using the approved signed access points if these are present. At no time should an operator create an opening by moving traffic cones or other traffic management devices. Particular care must be taken in areas where the traffic cones are roped together to create a safety zone.
O7.4.6 Prior to entering the works area the operator should check that any vehicles behind are at a safe distance and approximately 100 metres prior to the access point check that it is clear for entry and gradually slow down to an appropriate speed. If the entry to the access point or start of the road works is blocked, the operator should not attempt to enter the works and must continue on the main carriageway. Under no circumstances must the operator stop in a running lane.
O7.4.7 The speed limit within a works area should be complied with and seatbelts must be worn at all times. The operator should exercise extreme caution when driving within a works area since there may be maintenance vehicles, plant and site operatives moving around as well as excavations or obstructions present.
O7.4.8 Where works personnel are present on site, the operator should contact the works manager and inform them of their intentions. The guidance and/or assistance of works personnel should be requested in both accessing the casualty vehicle and subsequently leaving the works area.
O7.4.9 Wherever possible operators should only access and work on casualty vehicles from the side furthest from the live traffic. Walking or working in between the casualty vehicle and running lanes should be avoided wherever possible.
O7.4.10 In cases where the operator is required to reposition their vehicle in order to carry out the removal of the casualty vehicle, then this manoeuvre must be carried out with extreme caution. If works personnel are present then they should be asked to provide assistance if required.
O7.4.11 Operators should be aware of any overhead cables that may be present within an area or road works and comply with any overhead safety signage instructions.
O7.4.12 Operators should only exit an area of road works using the approved signed exit points if these are present. At no time should an exit be created by moving any traffic cones or other traffic management devices. When leaving a works area, an operator should only rejoin the main carriageway when their vehicle has reached a speed to enable them to do so in a safe manner.
O7.4.13 In those cases where the casualty vehicle has been repaired, the operator should advise the driver of the casualty vehicle of the correct procedure for rejoining the main carriageway.
O7.4.14 It is recommended that operators carry out their duties in accordance with the requirements of PAS 43:2008, available from the British Standards Institution, and the publication entitled "Best Practice Guidelines for dealing with Breakdowns/Removals on Motorways and High Speed Dual Carriageways", which has been produced by SURVIVE. Copies of this document can be obtained from the SURVIVE website www.survivegroup.org.
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