ROADWORKS VEHICLE INCURSIONS CAMPAIGN JANUARY 2018
Introduction
Vehicle incursions in to work areas are recognised as one of the highest risks to road workers safety. 250 incursions per month are regularly reported between operations and major projects on the strategic road network, the true figure could be much higher as there is a perception that incursions are normal and accepted as part of the job. Unfortunately we know only too well the devastating consequences of vehicles entering works and colliding with people and works vehicles.
An incursion is defined as ‘an intentional or unintentional unauthorised entry into temporary traffic management, by all or part of a vehicle being driven by members of the public or emergency services’.
In all other activities of our daily lives the behaviours shown by some motorists would not be accepted so freely by those people at risk. If a vehicle was driven through a supermarket, hospital or school those occupying the building would be acutely aware of the hazard created by the vehicle, yet the majority of road workers accept this as part of the job
This incursions campaign has been split in to three sections with the intention of informing Leaders, Managers, Designers, Supervisors and Operatives what an incursion is, why it is a risk to you or your staff, what is current good practice, how to report an incursion and why;
Section 1 – Awareness of the Issue, what is an incursion
Section 2 – Planning, Designing and Implementing Incursion risk reduction methods
Section 3 – Recording of Incursions and data use
Vehicle incursions in to work areas are recognised as one of the highest risks to road workers safety. 250 incursions per month are regularly reported between operations and major projects on the strategic road network, the true figure could be much higher as there is a perception that incursions are normal and accepted as part of the job. Unfortunately we know only too well the devastating consequences of vehicles entering works and colliding with people and works vehicles.
An incursion is defined as ‘an intentional or unintentional unauthorised entry into temporary traffic management, by all or part of a vehicle being driven by members of the public or emergency services’.
In all other activities of our daily lives the behaviours shown by some motorists would not be accepted so freely by those people at risk. If a vehicle was driven through a supermarket, hospital or school those occupying the building would be acutely aware of the hazard created by the vehicle, yet the majority of road workers accept this as part of the job
This incursions campaign has been split in to three sections with the intention of informing Leaders, Managers, Designers, Supervisors and Operatives what an incursion is, why it is a risk to you or your staff, what is current good practice, how to report an incursion and why;
Section 1 – Awareness of the Issue, what is an incursion
Section 2 – Planning, Designing and Implementing Incursion risk reduction methods
Section 3 – Recording of Incursions and data use
Section 1 – Awareness of the Issue
Why are Incursions a problem?
We do not expect road users to enter our work sites. The work site is our workplace. Road workers need to be able to work effectively and efficiently within their work site without fear of road users injuring or killing them. Sadly, this isn’t the case, there have been several fatal accidents resulting from road user vehicles entering road works sites.
What is the definition of an incursion?
An incursion is defined as ‘an intentional or unintentional unauthorised entry into temporary traffic management, by all or part of a vehicle being driven by members of the public or emergency services’.
Incursions cannot always caused through neglect but can be as a last resort the recognised classifications for incursion types are;
Intentional Incursions can be separated into three groups:
Unintentional Incursions can be separated into three groups:
These classifications are reflected in Highways England’s AIRSWEB Database, all incursions should be reported. The information collated is utilised by Highways England’s Incursions Working Group in collaboration with industry to research and trial methods to reduce the risk caused. Current data shows that Major Projects Schemes are more likely to incur an unintentional incursion, where as Operations and Maintenance are more likely to incur an intentional one, the difference is thought to be the difference in operating methods and layouts.
For more information on current statistics The Highways England Incursions Working Group has a dedicated section on the highways safety hub website http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/traffic-management-incursions.html.
A Toolbox talk on what an incursion is, how a TTM layout can be designed to reduce the risk of an incursion and what should be reported after an incursion has occurred to HE AIRSWEB is available here and should be briefed to operational staff. The toolbox talk and best practice presentation is available here;
Why are Incursions a problem?
We do not expect road users to enter our work sites. The work site is our workplace. Road workers need to be able to work effectively and efficiently within their work site without fear of road users injuring or killing them. Sadly, this isn’t the case, there have been several fatal accidents resulting from road user vehicles entering road works sites.
What is the definition of an incursion?
An incursion is defined as ‘an intentional or unintentional unauthorised entry into temporary traffic management, by all or part of a vehicle being driven by members of the public or emergency services’.
Incursions cannot always caused through neglect but can be as a last resort the recognised classifications for incursion types are;
Intentional Incursions can be separated into three groups:
- Intentional Incursion where the road user seeks to gain a benefit.
- Intentional Incursion where the road user is seeking information.
- Intentional Incursion where the road user is seeking refuge.
Unintentional Incursions can be separated into three groups:
- Unintentional incursion where a road user follows a works vehicle into the works in error, also known as a follow in.
- Unintentional incursion where a road user enters the works area as a result of confusion.
- Unintentional Incursion where a road user enters the works area or traffic management as a result of a collision or to avoid a collision.
These classifications are reflected in Highways England’s AIRSWEB Database, all incursions should be reported. The information collated is utilised by Highways England’s Incursions Working Group in collaboration with industry to research and trial methods to reduce the risk caused. Current data shows that Major Projects Schemes are more likely to incur an unintentional incursion, where as Operations and Maintenance are more likely to incur an intentional one, the difference is thought to be the difference in operating methods and layouts.
For more information on current statistics The Highways England Incursions Working Group has a dedicated section on the highways safety hub website http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/traffic-management-incursions.html.
A Toolbox talk on what an incursion is, how a TTM layout can be designed to reduce the risk of an incursion and what should be reported after an incursion has occurred to HE AIRSWEB is available here and should be briefed to operational staff. The toolbox talk and best practice presentation is available here;
| tbt_vehicle_incursions_jb.docx |
| highways_best_practice_incursions.pdf |
Section 2 – Planning, Designing and Implementing Incursion risk reduction methods
When early engagement of a project is undertaken it is imperative that all hazards and risks are considered, this includes impact on Safety, Delivery, Finance and Customer enabling a balanced view to be taken. Works should be planned so that they reduce the interaction between the works and the public to as low as reasonably possible this may include road closures and diversions, contraflows, narrow lanes or lane closures, each should be assessed on its own merits.
Traffic Management Design should only be undertaken by a competent qualified person, this requirement has been outlined in recent court cases with significant fines levied for failure to comply. Up until now there has been no formal qualification for design but through the Institute of Highway Engineers a series of professional qualifications are now available for designers and those checking design. There are three levels of qualification available, these are;
PC1 – for those with a Traffic Management background but new to design
PC2 – for Designers of simple schemes
PC3- For designers of complex schemes
More information on courses is available through the IHE website https://www.theihe.org/temporary-traffic-management-professional-certificate-course/
Manager’s, designers and supervisors should read and understand Raising The Bar 27 - managing vehicle incursions in temporary traffic management, this was written in collaboration with the industry and outlines control measures that should be considered and good practice when installing traffic management, it include preventative and deterrent measures. The document is available here; https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/553616/B27_Managing_TTM_Incursions_June_2016.pdf
Highways England and its supply chain are currently trialling different methods to reduce vehicle incursions, these are published in the Health and Safety Tool Kit, these include;
Airlocks http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_18_-_tm_airlock.pdf
Automated barrier gates http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_21_-_readi-guard_remotely_operated_tm_airlock_gates.pdf
Zone Guard http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_44_-_work_behind_access_and_exit___points.pdf
Intellicone http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hrs_technology_platform___solutions_overview_hub_presentation.pdf
ANPR Camera Van developed by Carnell; https://www.carnellgroup.co.uk/solutions/smartcam
When early engagement of a project is undertaken it is imperative that all hazards and risks are considered, this includes impact on Safety, Delivery, Finance and Customer enabling a balanced view to be taken. Works should be planned so that they reduce the interaction between the works and the public to as low as reasonably possible this may include road closures and diversions, contraflows, narrow lanes or lane closures, each should be assessed on its own merits.
Traffic Management Design should only be undertaken by a competent qualified person, this requirement has been outlined in recent court cases with significant fines levied for failure to comply. Up until now there has been no formal qualification for design but through the Institute of Highway Engineers a series of professional qualifications are now available for designers and those checking design. There are three levels of qualification available, these are;
PC1 – for those with a Traffic Management background but new to design
PC2 – for Designers of simple schemes
PC3- For designers of complex schemes
More information on courses is available through the IHE website https://www.theihe.org/temporary-traffic-management-professional-certificate-course/
Manager’s, designers and supervisors should read and understand Raising The Bar 27 - managing vehicle incursions in temporary traffic management, this was written in collaboration with the industry and outlines control measures that should be considered and good practice when installing traffic management, it include preventative and deterrent measures. The document is available here; https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/553616/B27_Managing_TTM_Incursions_June_2016.pdf
Highways England and its supply chain are currently trialling different methods to reduce vehicle incursions, these are published in the Health and Safety Tool Kit, these include;
Airlocks http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_18_-_tm_airlock.pdf
Automated barrier gates http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_21_-_readi-guard_remotely_operated_tm_airlock_gates.pdf
Zone Guard http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hsi-10_-_blue_star_item_-_44_-_work_behind_access_and_exit___points.pdf
Intellicone http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hrs_technology_platform___solutions_overview_hub_presentation.pdf
ANPR Camera Van developed by Carnell; https://www.carnellgroup.co.uk/solutions/smartcam
These trials have been put together by industry but we are always looking to improve, if you have an idea or a system that could help improve your safety you can feed this back via the H&S Toolkit.
Section 3 – Recording of incursions and data use
For industry to be able to change it must first understand the scale of incursions and their nature, so campaigns, research and development can be appropriately focussed. All incursions must be reported into Highways England’s AIRSWEB Database. Information on how to do this is here http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/incursion_guidance_on_airsweb.pdf
With the information and ideas you provide, we can reduce the risks associated with vehicle incursions and make our work environment as safe as it can be.
Example of a police witness statement for reporting incursions;
For industry to be able to change it must first understand the scale of incursions and their nature, so campaigns, research and development can be appropriately focussed. All incursions must be reported into Highways England’s AIRSWEB Database. Information on how to do this is here http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/incursion_guidance_on_airsweb.pdf
With the information and ideas you provide, we can reduce the risks associated with vehicle incursions and make our work environment as safe as it can be.
Example of a police witness statement for reporting incursions;
| incursion_witness_statement_template.docx |
RESOURCES
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Case Studies
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