30th March 2010
Transport Minister Announces New Road Works Regulations
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan recently announced that construction works carried out on roads must have proper signage and must adhere to the standard safety regulations.
Aside from maintaining safety at the site, firms also have to give information like contact number and the full details of the company that is operating on site. Even councils who are running such operations have stick to the same rules as the utility firms and put up this signage, besides following safety rules.
Other than the standard road safety rules, firms have to make sure that the roads are disabled friendly and follow the safety guidelines required. The site should be secure and should have the proper arrangements made for the movement of wheelchairs.
The Safety Code of Practise also asks these agencies to provide supplementary information on how the site would be secure when it is vacant. Also, there has to be information provided on equipments like high visibility jackets and safety barriers which will help in increasing safety levels for both the workers and the public.
The minister said he is unwilling to hear the excuses being offered to him on why the road works cannot be carried out with a focus on responsibility towards safety of people, especially the disabled. He also said that all such work should have proper signage and should not be left in a dangerous state.
These changes are part of the December 2009 plan from the Department of Transport which is designed to lower the disturbances caused due to road works as well as to raise the cap on the limit of penalties for agencies exceeding the set time limits.
For help in achieving successful safety management systems, Workplace Law can assist in establishing good practices by addressing problems and rectifying deficiencies. Organisations can achieve compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Accreditation Standard (OHSAS 18001) by demonstrating legal and regulatory compliance with improved policies and performance to successfully manage health and safety hazards and risks.
