Pedestrian and Traffic Control

Traffic Control

Obstructions and excavations should be adequately guarded at all times for the protection of all persons who use the highway. Barriers may consist of separate portable post and plank systems, gate frames linked together or semi-permanent constructions built to enclose sites. The presence of these sites must be indicated by correct signage and traffic cones where appropriate. There are several different requirements for the barrier planks used with post and plank systems:

Traffic Barrier

If a traffic lane is closed for work to be carried out, regulations require this to be done with a retro-reflective red and white barrier plank placed across the lane. Horizontal planks should be striped in alternate vertical 250mm wide red and white bands. When adjacent to running traffic lanes barriers should be guarded by a line of traffic cones.

Pedestrian Barrier

Pedestrians must be separated from works by a pedestrian barrier system. Red and white barrier planks must be retro-reflective. Base supports for the vertical posts should not protrude more than 300mm into the path of the pedestrians and any vertical edge should be not more than 25mm high.

Traffic Cones

Traffic Cone means a device complying with the relevant requirements of BS 873 ?Road Traffic Signs and Internally Illuminated Bollards'. Cones are used to delineate the traffic lane a driver should take past an obstruction, accident or road works. They should be placed close enough together to give the impression of continuity and an appearance of substance, with danger lamps operating at night.

Traffic Signs

The manufacturing standard for road traffic signs, BS873; Part 6; 1983 was withdrawn on 31 st December 2005 and from 1 st January 2006 a new standard ?BSEN12899-1:2001' became the UK national standard for fixed vertical road traffic signs. There are a number of significant differences between the standards, one of which is the re-classification of retro-reflective sign facings: Class 1 reflective under BS873 now becomes Class Ref 2 under BSEN12899-1:2001, while Class 2 becomes Class Ref 1. Law states that road signs used to warn or inform drivers and pedestrians in private workplaces must be the same as those used on public roads, where a suitable sign exists. All traffic routes must be suitably indicated where necessary for reasons of health and safety. Signs and markings should comply with the traffic signs regulations.

Traffic Routes

A traffic route has been broadly defined by The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1999 as ?pedestrian traffic, vehicles or both, including any stairs, staircase, fixed ladder, doorway, loading bay or ramp'. Accidents and incidents involving people and vehicles on traffic routes are a common cause of fatal and major injuries to drivers, vehicle passengers and others who may be involved directly or indirectly with vehicles, e.g. loaders, lift truck drivers and pedestrians, together with damage to structures., equipment and products. In 2004/05 there were 70 fatalities as a result of being struck by a moving vehicle or free falling object from vehicles. There were 2021 major injuries and 3482 injuries serious enough to keep people off work for more than three days. These accidents cost the country over £540m. Every workplace, therefore, should be organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner.

Disability Awareness

The Disability Discrimination Act ? Part III was developed so changes could be made which makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people. Part III of the Act came into force on the 1 st October 2004. All providers of goods, facilities and services must take action in order to make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises by this date. See our full range of Access Ramps