Smoke Hazards on Roads
Table of Contents
Part A: Policy Statement - Smoke Hazard on Roads
1. Policy Statement
Main Roads will provide guidance on reasonable precautions that should be taken by land holders undertaking burning-off which is likely to result in smoke impairing the visibility of drivers of vehicles travelling on a State road.Part B: Application and Approval Guidelines - Smoke Hazard
1. Preliminary
1.1 Definitions
The definitions here are for terms not contained in or have a different meaning for this Guideline to the definitions given in Main Roads Glossary of Terms.- AS means Australian Standards.
- Local road means a road under the control of Local Government.
- Main Roads means Main Roads Western Australia.
- RTC2000 means Road Traffic Code 2000.
- State road means a highway and main road under the control of Main Roads Western Australia.
- Road sign means a sign as recognised in the Australian Standards or Main Roads Signs Index.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to detail Main Roads requirements for use of and location of Smoke Hazard warning signs on applicable routes.Main Roads primary objective of these guidelines is to provide advice on reasonable precautions that should be taken by a person who through the act of burning-off creates a potential smoke hazard across a State road.
2. Application
2.1 Applicable Routes
Smoke Hazard warning signs should be considered whenever burning-off land adjacent to routes designated as State Roads.Maps of State roads can be located on our website under State Road Network Mapping System.
Sign or treatment requirements whenever burning-off land adjacent to routes designated as Local Roads should be referred to the relevant Local Government.
2.2 Conditions
2.2.1 Precautions
Main Roads requires the person in charge of burning-off land that is likely to result in smoke impairing the visibility of drivers of vehicles travelling on a State road to take all reasonable precautions to warn those drivers of the hazard. This is also in accordance with Duty of Care owed by landowners / land users to adjacent road users and others.2.2.2 Notification
The person in charge of burning-off land shall notify the Customer Contact Centre in the Metropolitan Region or the Customer Services Manager in the relevant Regional Office prior to commencement of burning-off.
Contacts in Regional Offices can be located under Our Role and Regions.
2.2.3 Timing
Burning-off land should be undertaken during daylight hours only to ensure the potential smoke hazard is more conspicuous to traffic.
2.2.4 Reasonable Warning
Signing to reasonably warn approaching traffic when smoke is across or is expected to cross a State road is given in the Technical Guideline.
2.3 Costs
The person in charge of burning-off land is responsible for the supply, installation and removal of the road signs and devices associated with the burning-off.3. Approval
The person in charge of burning-off land adjacent to a road does not need formal permission from the road owner to install a warning device when a smoke hazard has been created to motorists on a State road.Part C: Technical Guidelines - Smoke Hazard on Roads
1. General
1.1 Introduction
Managed burning-off on land can create a hazard to motorists on adjacent roads due to smoke being blown across the road, which may impair the visibility for drivers of vehicles. This impairment can be worsened at night due to headlight glare on the smoke creating conditions similar to fog.
The purpose of this guideline is to provide advice on the reasonable precautions that should be taken by a person who through the act of burning off creates a potential smoke hazard across a state road.
1.2 Scope
This document details Main Roads requirements for the use and location of smoke hazard warning signs on applicable routes.1.3 References
- AS 1742.2 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 2: Traffic Control Devices for General Use,
- AS 1742.3 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 3: Traffic Control for Work on Roads,
- AS 1743 - 2001, Road Signs - Specifications,
- Specification 601 - Signs, and
- Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 Act.
2. Technical Guidelines
2.1 Signs
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"SMOKE HAZARD"
AS 1742.2 Designation T4-6B
Sign Size: 1200 x 900mm
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Signing should be displayed prior to and until conditions return to normal. Signs should be positioned and erected so that:
- they are properly displayed and firmly secured so as to prevent them being blown over by the wind or passing traffic, and
- signs may be placed on the roadside or road shoulder and should be at least 1m clear of the road lanes.
The signs should be displayed or installed immediately prior to the burn off and folded over or removed as soon as the smoke is no longer a hazard to motorists. The removal or covering of smoke hazard signs when not in use is mandatory. Signs that are displayed while not in use may bring all signing into disrepute and may result in motorists disregarding important warnings. Signs should be covered such that they are not visible in all light conditions. More information from AS1742.3.
2.2 Sign Location
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Where smoke has or is expected to create a hazard, warning signs should be installed as per Figure 1. FIGURE 1 - Typical Smoke Hazard Area
TABLE 2 - Placement of SMOKE HAZARD Signs |
