Road works operations need to be carefully planned and administered to avoid accidents. Most accidents with minor plant and equipment are caused by improper usage and poor maintenance. Management guidelines of construction zones are very comprehensive – we would, however, like to focus on a few examples of how effective management can limit the risk of accidental road accidents:
- Signs must be kept clean and well maintained if they are to be effective.
- Press and radio releases are often a valuable means of warning drivers of what to expect at a site, thus minimising impatient and dangerous behaviour. [This is also good PR!]
- Workers who control traffic must be properly trained.
- Traffic controllers must know where to stand, how to slow or stop traffic, and how to coordinate public and construction traffic movements.
- Controllers should use two-way radio communication when visual contact between traffic controllers is not possible. Where the site is suitable and they are available, arrangements should be made to use temporary traffic signals to control traffic.
- Traffic controllers and general road workers should wear suitable conspicuous clothing to ensure that they can be seen by motorists.
- Unnecessary traffic control signs or road markings must be removed as they tend to confuse motorists and make them careless.
- Where vehicles are held up in queues, a worker might be appointed to talk with motorists, apologise for delays, estimate the length of the delay, and generally keep people informed.
- Speed limits should be consistent with safe site operations and traffic movements.
- Compliance with reasonable speed limits will then be more likely - If motorists perceive a speed limit to be unrealistic, they are likely to disregard it.
- A variety of devices and technology can provide information to motorists, including brighter, bigger electronic signs.
- Trucks which are regularly used for transporting workers should be closed, have seats which are attached to the vehicle and have a safe means of access and egress. Drivers of trucks carrying passengers should be alert, dependable and careful.
- A systematic preventative maintenance programme should be established for all trucks, plant, and vehicles.
- All access points leading to the area where construction blasting works are carried out must be manned to prevent entry during blasting.
