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2 SASKPOWER TRAFFIC CONTROL PLANNING GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION page 3 DEFINITIONS page 3 PLANNING AND PREPARATION page 6 Pedestrian Safety within an Active Work Area page 7 Excavations page 8 Partial Lane Blockage page 8 One Lane Closed: Urban/Residential Street (Volume Low) page 8 Posting of Portable Signs page 8 FLAGPERSON page 8 Flagperson Responsibilities page 8 Flagperson(s) Positioning page 9 Flagperson Signaling page 9 Flagperson Communications page 9 Flagperson Night Operations page 10 TRAFFIC CONTROL DRAWINGS page 11 How to Apply the Traffic Control Drawings page 11 Traffic Control Equipment page 11 Traffic Control Drawings and Templates page 11 Work Zone Components page 12 Single Lane Road / Street Template page 13 Four Lane Road / Street Template page 14 Divided Highway Template page 15 Intersection Template page 16 Work Adjacent To Roadway S 001 page 17 Work On Shoulder Of Roadway S 002 page 18 Short Duration Work S 003 page 19 Unplanned Temporary Road / Street Closure E 001 page 20 Planned Two Lane Highway Crossing Lanes Closed X 001 page 21 Four Lane Road / Street One Lane Closed C 001 page 22 Four Lane Highway One Lane Closed with Divide C 002 page 23 Two Lane Highway One Lane Closed C 003 page 24 Extended Work Areas Adjacent to Roadway L 001 page 25 Partial Lane Closure Redirect Traffic P 001 page 26 Planned Two Lane Roadway One Lane Partial Blockage P 002 page 27 Urban Roadway One Lane Partial Blockage - Street Light Option 1 ST001 page 28 Urban Roadway One Lane Partial Blockage - Street Light Option 2 ST002 page 29 Urban Roadway One Lane Blocked - Street Light Option 3 ST003 page 30 Urban Roadway One Lane Blocked - Street Light Option 4 ST004 page 31 2

3 SASKPOWER TRAFFIC CONTROL PLANNING INTRODUCTION Traffic safety in construction work zones shall be an integral and high priority element of every project from planning through design and construction. Similarly, maintenance work should be planned and conducted with the safety of the motorist, pedestrian, worker and flagperson in mind at all times. Where there is a danger to a worker from traffic a written traffic control plan will be required and be readily available for review. The purpose of a traffic control plan is to help regulate traffic through work areas to provide a high level of safety to the worker(s), the motoring public, and pedestrians. The written traffic control plan shall be part of the job plan and communicated to all employees at the tailboard meeting. When traffic control plans are required, workers must wear high visibility clothing in accordance with SaskPower s High Visibility Clothing Standard. Traffic Control plans is required where workers are at risk from traffic whether on a public highway or at any other place of employment. The traffic control plan, for workplaces other than a public highway, shall define where appropriate: Maximum allowable speed of any vehicles or powered mobile equipment Maximum operating grades Location and type of control signs Rout to be taken by vehicles or powered mobile equipment Priority to be established for classes of vehicle Location and type of barriers or restricted areas The Traffic Control Plan required for public highways shall protect the worker from traffic hazards by the use of one or more of the following: (a) warning signs; (b) barriers; (c) lane control devices; (d) flashing lights; (e) flares; (f) conspicuously identified pilot vehicles; (g) automatic or remote-controlled traffic control systems; (h) designated signallers directing traffic. These procedures below cover the use of standard warning devices and procedures for diverting traffic around work areas in typical urban and rural streets and highways when SaskPower personnel and equipment are working. These procedures have been developed using the Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation field manual, Traffic Control Devices Manual for Work Zones and in consultation with their technical personnel. The person in immediate charge of the job is responsible for, assessing local/emergency conditions and the development and implementation of the traffic control plan. The traffic control plan with the detail appropriate to the complexity of the signing required shall be identified on the appropriate hazard and risk assessment form, discussed and understood by all responsible parties before work is started. 3

4 DEFINITIONS Active Work Area The portion of the roadway or right-of-way on which workers and/or equipment are engaged in construction or maintenance activities. Advance Warning Area Drivers must be given advanced warning of what to expect. Continuous Moving Operations Workers often carry out continuous moving operations on roadways, which may require periodic stoppages. Some examples of continuous moving work activities are building moves, pole testing, line measuring and hardware tightening along road allowances. "Continuous Moving Operations" do not require traffic control signage. This applies only when the driving surface is not impeded by a stopped vehicle. A stopped vehicle will require beacons, 4 way flashers, cones and signage as required by duration and traffic control plans. The person in charge of the job has the discretion of placing signs to create a work zone if he/she determines that traffic control will remove the danger while work involves continuous moving operations. Detour A temporary road closure may require a detour or an alternate route around the affected area. (i.e.: trenching on a low volume grid road) Duration of Work - Short Short duration work includes any activity that will be completed in less than 20 minutes. Duration of Work - Medium Medium duration work includes any activity that will last for more than 20 minutes but less than one day. Duration of Work - Long Long duration work includes any activity that will last for more than one day. Emergency Conditions Temporary closure of a highway or roadway may become necessary when a hazardous condition that cannot be easily removed creates an obstruction on the roadway. SaskPower workers must react in a manner to warn motorists of the hazardous situation, without creating further hazards to workers or motorists. An example of this would be downed or low hanging lines across the road. Highway A general term denoting a roadway where the speed limit exceeds 60 km/h. Inactive Work Area The portion of a public right-of-way in which construction or maintenance activities have temporarily ceased. 4

5 One Lane Closed A traffic lane that has been reduced to a usable width of less than 3 m. For two lane, if it has less than 6m total, some type of traffic control is required. (Either a pilot vehicle or a flagperson). Partial Lane Blockage A traffic lane that has been reduced but still has a usable width of 3 m or greater. For two lane, if it has less than 6m total, some type of traffic control is required. (Either a pilot vehicle or a flagperson). Termination Area The termination area provides a short distance for traffic to clear the work area and return to normal. A downstream taper is usually placed in the termination area. Transition Area In the transition area, traffic is channeled from the normal highway lanes to the path required to move traffic around the work area. The transition area contains the channelization devices used to taper or divert traffic. (cones, barricades) Urban/Residential Street Traffic conditions on urban/residential streets are generally characterized by relatively low speeds (50 km/h), wide ranges of volume, limited maneuvering space, frequent turns and cross movements, significant pedestrian movement and other obstructions. Work Zone When implementing traffic control plans, the work zone is defined as the area between the first advance warning sign and the point beyond the work area where traffic is no longer affected. 5

6 PLANNING AND PREPARATION This manual attempts to provide uniformity in signing procedures; however, it cannot take into consideration specific factors for each and every situation, as traffic volumes, roadway classifications, and operating conditions may vary for each signing procedure. Good judgement must be applied, and if the user of this manual is in doubt as to which signing application should be used then they should consult with their supervisor. Beacons and Flashers Every employee, who may have reason to stop on the shoulder, roadway or adjacent to the roadway, will have as a minimum, four way flashers operating. Vehicles equipped with beacon lights shall also have them operating. Beacons and flashers shall be used only when they are in a designated work zone as outlined in these guidelines. Beacons and flashing lights shall not be used when traveling on roadways or highways unless a proper permit is obtained. Application of Plans For highways, a work zone or orange zone is established by the erection of a Man Working, Flagperson or Surveyor sign. This then sets the regulated allowed vehicle speed to 60 km/hr or less. Speed signs may be posted as courtesy signs to help control vehicle speed and to remind drivers to slow down. These signs must have the orange and black symbols rather than the black and white symbols which are the regulatory signs as defined by the Traffic Control Act. Use of speed signs in urban settings must be approved by the city authorities prior to setting the up the traffic accommodation. On gravel roads where both traffic volumes and speeds are low, the number and/or spacing of signs may be dictated by existing conditions. For gravel roads with high traffic or speeds, the specific signing procedures must be followed. Any of the traffic control plans are to be considered as guidelines and additional signs, devices and/or flagpersons may be required to take into considerations such factors as horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, unusual hazards and traffic volumes. Traffic movement should be inhibited as little as possible a) Traffic control at work sites should be designed on the assumption that motorists will only reduce their speeds if they clearly perceive a need to do so. b) Provisions shall be made for the safe operations of work vehicles, particularly on high speed, high volume highways. Traffic shall be guided in a clear and positive manner while approaching and traversing construction and maintenance work areas. a) Adequate warning, through a combination of signing, cones, barricades, and flashing lights, shall be provided to assure the motorist of positive guidance in advance of and through the work area. To ensure acceptable levels to operation, routine inspection of the traffic control elements shall be performed. a) Only individuals trained in the principles of safe traffic control shall be assigned responsibility for safety at the work site. b) A change in the traffic patterns or working conditions may require modifications to traffic control. 6

7 c) Work sites should be monitored under varying traffic volume, lighting and weather conditions to ensure that the traffic control measures in effect are functioning properly. All devices must be kept clean, visible, and in good repair. d) When there is an inactive work area, including nights, weekends and holidays, signs not required for the accommodation of traffic will be removed or covered. e) All traffic control devices will be removed immediately after they are no longer applicable. Prior to the start of any construction or maintenance project site evaluation shall be considered with the following elements to be considered: a) Identify duration of work to be performed. b) Prevailing vehicle speeds, c) Existing traffic control devices, d) Pedestrian routes and school zones, e) Overhead/underground facilitates, f) Traffic volumes (peak period), g) Weather conditions, h) Visibility for night operations. i) Identify appropriate signing j) Arrange for storage and/or removal of signs when work is not being performed. k) Notify police if necessary. l) Develop plan for passage of emergency vehicles. Pedestrian Safety within an Active Work Area It must be remembered that good judgement must always be applied to the situation at hand and that any work should be planned and conducted with the safety of the pedestrian and worker in mind. Remember that pedestrians should not be led into direct conflicts with work site vehicles, equipment, or operations nor should they be led into direct conflicts with mainline traffic moving through or around the work site. The range of pedestrians that can be expected is very wide, including the blind, the hearing impaired, and those with walking handicaps. All pedestrians need protections from potential injury and an alternate travel path. Always take into account the amount of pedestrian movement in the area, where the common pedestrian routes are located, school zones, popular public areas, type of street lighting available, etc. Prior to beginning the job, complete a risk assessment of the area, develop a plan for passage of pedestrians and have a tailboard meeting. When establishing a safe work area to perform work, the employee(s) must provide safe alternate routes for pedestrians and/or close off necessary sidewalks. Whenever possible, signing should be used to direct pedestrians to safe street crossings in advance of a temporary traffic control zone. Signs should be placed at intersections so that pedestrians, particularly in high-traffic volume urban and suburban areas, are not confronted with work sites that will invite pedestrians to make a mid-block crossing. Tape, rope or plastic chain strung between devices or traffic control cones can help keep the public at a safe distance from potential harm. On occasion, motorists or pedestrians may still choose to disregard our signs and warnings and enter the work site. Under such circumstances the employee in charge must make a decision as to the degree of 7

8 public safety being provided at the work site and whether work should continue; if necessary contacting the local police agency and requesting its assistance will be required prior to the continuation of work. Excavations When construction or maintenance activities involve an excavation in the roadway, special considerations are necessary. The edge of an active work area must be barricaded. When the work area becomes inactive and the excavation must remain open, the excavation must be covered or barricades shall be put into place to protect the work area. Partial Lane Blockage For a partial lane blockage, on any highway or Urban/Residential Streets, the following conditions apply: 1. The traffic lane is to be reduced to a usable width of 3 m or greater (no encroachment on opposite lane.) 2. Or at least 6 m of total usable width shall remain (encroachment on the opposite lane is necessary to maintain 3 m of travel lane in each direction). In this case cones shall be used to show an altered centreline. One Lane Closed: Urban/Residential Street (Volume Low) On Urban/Residential Streets (low volume and low speed zones) with less than 5 m of total usable width remaining, traffic may be regulated without flagperson(s). Posting of Portable Signs Signs will be located on the right hand side of the roadway, with the near edge of the sign from 0.3 m to 4.5 m from the edge of the shoulder. FLAGPERSON (Designated Signaler) A designated signaller shall only be used to control traffic where other methods are not suitable. Section 132 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 states: 132(1) Where the giving of signals by a designated signaller is required by these regulations, an employer or contractor shall: (a) designate a worker to be the designated signaller; (b) ensure that the designated signaller is sufficiently trained to carry out the signaller s duties in a manner that will ensure the signaller s safety and the safety of other workers; and (c) keep a record of the training required by clause (b) and give a copy of the record to the designated signaller. 8

9 Flagperson Responsibilities The responsibility of the flagperson(s) is to control traffic movements through a work area to provide the maximum level of safety to workers, the motoring public and pedestrians. They must keep traffic moving at reduced speeds unless conditions require that they stop traffic temporarily. CSA Z96-09 High Visibility Safety Apparel Class 3 clothing shall be worn by workers conducting flagging operations or directing traffic. SaskPower orange hard hat is also required. The flagperson must be trained and certified to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure or Heavy Construction Safety Association training. Flagperson(s) Positioning Where to stand: 1. Outside the travel lane, m from the beginning of the taper (halfway between the beginning of the taper and the active work area), 3. where you can see and be seen by approaching traffic, for at least 150 m, and 4. where an adequate escape route exists. Other factors to consider in choosing a place to stand: 1. never turn your back on approaching traffic, 2. you must stand alone - no other people or equipment may be around your position, 3. sitting reduces visibility and therefore is not permitted. 4. traffic control persons shall never leave their post unattended; they must be replaced. Flagperson Signaling When stopping traffic, the flagperson must display the STOP sign to the motorist, giving the motorist plenty of warning for a safe and comfortable stop. Hand signals may be used if necessary. Before moving traffic from a stopped position, the flagperson must ensure that the opposing traffic has stopped and that the last opposing vehicle has passed his or her post. When slowing traffic, the flagperson shall display the SLOW sign and, if necessary, use hand signals to command a further reduction in speed. Care should be taken to avoid bringing traffic to a complete stop. In some situations two-way traffic may be allowed through the work area at reduced speed with a flagperson assigned to each direction. If an emergency vehicle approaches when the STOP sign is displayed, the flagperson should attempt to contact the other flagperson (if applicable) so that traffic in the opposing direction can be stopped. 9

10 Flagperson Communications Flagpersons shall work together to control traffic through a work area. Communication devises shall be used to coordinate the STOP/SLOW paddles. Signals between two flagpersons should be understood, i.e., if a flagperson changes from STOP to SLOW or vice versa, he or she must inform the other flagperson. When using visual communications on curves and hills, three flagpersons may be required. The duty of flagperson number 2 is to relay signals between flagperson number 1 and flagperson number 3. Flagperson Night Operations Traffic control operations at night demand that the flagpersons be highly visible in order to give the motorist plenty of time to identify their presence and to understand the signals given. To increase the visibility of the flagperson at night, reflective material must be used (i.e. reflective tape, bands or roadside reflective 27 (70 cm) traffic cones). The flagperson(s) must be equipped with a flashlight. Additional flashers may be used. Consideration should be given to illuminating the flagpersons position with a portable lighting source (i.e., truck spotlight). If street lighting is available, the flagperson should stand under it to illuminate his or her position. 10

11 TRAFFIC CONTROL DRAWINGS How to Apply the Traffic Control Drawings Four basic types of roadways are covered in this manual, the user must decide under which of the categories their operation falls and apply the appropriate traffic control plan: 1. Two lane-two way highways 2. Multi-lane highways 3. Low volume roads or streets 4. Two lane two way urban/residential streets And there are five basic levels of encroachment: 1. Off-shoulder work (in ditch up to Right of Way) 2. Shoulder work 3. Partial lane blockage 4. Lane closure 5. Road Closure Traffic Control Equipment The following items may also be necessary under certain conditions: 1. Flashlights for use at night, 2. Communication devices. 3. STOP/SLOW paddle(s) 4. Traffic cones 5. Barricades 6. Adequate signs to implement traffic control drawings Traffic Control Drawings and Templates Several standard traffic control plan drawings are provided in this manual to serve as a guideline in the preparation for specific traffic control situations. These drawings are labeled in accordance to typical applications. A blank template is also provided. In the event that a particular drawing is suitable for a job, the drawing can be referenced in the appropriate hazard and risk assessment form. Whenever a situation arises where the standard traffic control drawings are not sufficient the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Traffic Control Devices Manual For Work Zones should be used as a guide. Cones Whenever traffic cones are required, the spacing of them shall be at least 5 to 9 meters apart when normal traffic speeds are under 60 km/h and 10 to 15 meters apart when normal traffic speeds are over 60 km/h. Traffic cones are used primarily for daytime operations but may be used at night if equipped with white reflector bands. When traffic cones are used the size of the cone depends on the traffic 11

12 speed. For speeds less than 50 km/hr the minimum size used must be 18 (45 cm) and for speeds greater than 50 km/hr the minimum size must be 27 (70cm). 12

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33 Domino.Doc Corporate Safety SMS Documentation Procedures SaskPower Traffic Control Planning Guidelines URL for Profile: URL for File: ocid=f708d766b f &launchtype=0 ocid=f708d766b f &launchtype=1 Document Profile Title: SaskPower Traffic Control Planning Guidelines Version: Safety Document Safety Unit Corporate Wide Location Corporate Wide Standard Element 4.2 OH&S Policy Document Type Safe Work Procedure Release Date 8/18/2010 Owner Role Administration Coordinator Content Owner Roles Vice President Responsible for Update Roles Administration Coordinator Reviewer Roles Supervisor Operations Safety Review Frequency 36 Next Review Date 1/31/2013 Expiry Date 3/31/2013 Formal Approver Roles Supervisor Operations Safety Direction to Official Location Domino.doc