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Reply To: Waka Kotahi is consulting on the draft guide to temporary traffic management

  • James Dodwell

    Member
    21 April 2022 at 4:21 pm

    Hi everyone,

    I’m preparing EEA’s submission with help from several EEA / Knowledge Network members.

    I’ve been reflecting on some of the issues we raised originally with the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management, and it would be good to hear from you whether you feel the proposed guide has fully addressed these – let me know in the comments. The specific feedback we gave are in the attached file and were about:

    Section B3.4.2 requirements for fluorescent STMS garments

    Our members cannot comply with this requirement. They are required to wear fire retardant clothing, and such garments are not available in fluorescent yellow. We suggest engaging with us to establish a workable solution.


    Section C8 – requirement for advanced warning signage &

    Section D5.1 – requirement for a pilot vehicle

    For reactive work (e.g. faults), the restoration of power as soon as is reasonably practicable is a priority. Of course, safety comes first, and our industry has alternative setups that adequately manage the risks. Requiring advanced signage or pilot vehicles introduces delays, which in many situations does not offer an advantage over our industry’s setups. We suggest engaging with us to establish a workable solution.

    Section D – requirements for ‘Road Inspection’ signage

    The required sign is not relevant to our industry, who do not carry out ‘road inspections’, and instead carry out routine and reactive inspection of electricity network infrastructure assets. This requires them to drive at reduced speed and stop regularly in the road reserve for less than 10 minutes at a time (i.e mobile operation). We suggest that signage saying ‘Inspection’ should be allowed.

    Section D1.2 – Semi-static closure does not include the road reserve

    Some work in the road corridor by the electricity industry is carried out in the road reserve that does not fit the definition of a semi-static operation. However, the provisions for semi-static operations are often a good fit for the work our industry carries out in the road reserve. We suggest amending the definition to include the road reserve.