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In reality you need to adhere to Highways Act, be Chapter 18 (NHSS18) trained / qualified & finally insured if you intend to partially block a road or footpath..
A lot of Tree guys can tell you chapter and verse on what is needed, but the industry guide is :
"Safety at Street Works and Road Works - A Code of Practice"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Safety-Street-Works-Road-Practice/dp/011551...
You can not legally just block a road or footpath and perform 'works' - not saying a lot don't just do this but professionally it would be wise to conform as you will be liable
Good background reading...
http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=84093
There are opportunities to start to become qualified 'cheaply' via the LISS / CSCS card this year before new rules come into force on October 2013, after which it's expensive NVQ based training
Absolutely agree, don't just stick out a men at work sign and some cones as has been suggested plenty times on here, if you aren't certified you aren't insured.
Thanks Gary, Brian . So how do i do it? Sub contract a company that can put up the relevant signs and barriers?. Then could i do it? I am self employed ,just me ,with basic 1 million public liability insurarance.
I would recommend you check your insurance policy to see whether or not there are any exclusions on your policy such as working in close proximity to the highway, as an arboricultural contractor I hve £10,000,000 public liability insurance and the only restriction are i can't work on train tracks, in close proximity to live electric wires as I don't have UA1, UA2 or UA3 etc. I would recommend you contact a traffic management company and ask them to set up the signage, cones etc and work within their controlled zones its the easiest way unless you have time to do Chapter 8.
If your planning on subcontracting in a traffic management company you will need to add at least another £500 to your quote, in which case i very much doubt you will get the job. I know Gary and Brian are going to bite my head off for saying this but i dont see the problem in putting a 'Men at work' sign and a few cones out and wearing a Hi Vis jacket while you work on the roadside bit, as long as your not taking up an entire lane i dont think there would be any problems.
are you saying it's only one days work? sounds a lot to do for just one day?
unless this is a customer you're desperate not to turn away (more work to come, repeat customer etc) then tell them the the facts of the matter - you're taking a small risk by putting some signage and cones out, you're taking a small risk by not putting some signage and cones out, even if nothing untoward happens you might get spotted by a 'jobsworth' from the council or hse
Brian sums it up nicely with his previous post, if it was me, i'd probably say i'm too busy at the moment and maybe give him the number of the guy up the road from me who is more of a jobbing garden basher than a landscaper - or quote the guy the rate for the job done properly (but if it's really only one days work is it really worth the effort and time?)
Anything that impedes normal traffic flow or places more risk on the road to drivers or pedestrians can incur official/Police intervention.
Then, if any RTCs occur due to your works/signage or an employee is hurt, HSE will come at you, along with a raft of no-win no-fee solicitors. Your PLI will likley be invalidated except to 3rd parties. In that case you better have deep deep pockets to pay up :-(
One can debate whether the law's an ass or unnecessary, but the rules are there like it or not
My question is simply - is it worth not complying ?
Do you have the address so we can take a look on google street view?
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