Stormwater Management Plan MCU17/0014

2.2 Traffic control                                                 2.3 Confined spaces
Stormwater collection pits are typically situated either in or on   Confined space entry procedures are not included as part
roads and car parks, or adjacent to roads in a footpath or swale.   of this manual. For IES employees these procedures are
Traffic control requirements across all such locations differ       included as part of the IES Safety Manual. It is recommended
with most of the state and local road authorities requiring the     that all contractors evaluate their own needs for confined
same controls to be implemented whether the work is to be           space entry and compliance with Occupational Health and
conducted on the road or on the road reserve.                       Safety regulations.

As traffic requirements differ depending on road usage and          When repairs or maintenance activities cannot be conducted
the specific road configuration, separate traffic control plans     from the surface, and there is a need to enter and work in a
should be prepared for each site. Given that maintenance is         confined space, only staff with current confined space training
typically a quick process, the contractor should liaise with the    are permitted to operate in a confined space. Appropriate
relevant road authority to determine the specific road safety       measures and controls must be put in place to meet confined
requirements for each location to ensure that on site workers       space entry requirements. At all times the necessary
can conduct the cleaning operations safely and efficiently,         safety equipment must be worn, and where gas or oxygen
while complying with all laws and regulations.                      hazards occur, only staff trained in its use will use breathing
                                                                    apparatus gear. Non-trained staff must not go into
State government publications such as the NSW RMS
                                                                    confined spaces.
Traffic Control at Work Sites safety manual outline the
signage requirements, placement of barricades or witches hats
and the positioning of traffic control personnel that’s required
when working on public roads. For increased safety, IES                    Confined spaces pose a serious safety hazard
recommends that the maintenance vehicle be used to shield                  for all personnel; however during the normal
the work area from oncoming traffic.                                       maintenance procedures there should be no
                                                                           reason to enter a confined space and all
Photo 1 shows the maintenance vehicle with cones placed                    maintenance procedures are able to be
around and positioned to shield the work area. Photo 2 shows               conducted from the surface.
the head-on view, note the vehicle is positioned to allow
access to the drive, whilst still blocking the pit from on-coming
traffic. The vehicle has a flashing light on the roof and the
hazard lights switched on.




 Photo 1 Vehicle positioned near pit, preventing traffic from        Photo 2 Head-on view, indicating the placement of the
 passing close to the pit.                                           vehicle near the pit.




                                                                                          Stormwater360 Operations and maintenance   7