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North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Implementation of the FHWA Final Rule on Safety & Mobility 23 CFR 630 Subparts J & K This Final Rule had an effective implementation date of October 12, 2007. Subpart J of the Final Rule on highway work zone regulations includes various sections such as Temporary Traffic Control Plan development, Transportation Management Plan development, Public Information Plan development, development of an Agency Work Zone Policy, implementation of a Work Zone Audit and data tracking program, and a comprehensive training component. Subpart K of the Final Rule on Highway Work Zone regulations includes uses of Temporary Traffic Control Devices to protect workers and motorists in Temporary Traffic Control Work Zones. The NCDOT has created a basic policy as required by the Final Rule that covers the design and implementation of Traffic Management Plans and Temporary Traffic Control Plans. This document does not currently include the Knowledge and Training Component. The current Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy can be found at the Work Zone Traffic Control website http://ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/wztc, once there click on the policy on the center right of the screen. The Final rule “specifies that agencies require appropriate training for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control”. It also requires “periodic training updates”. The people who need this training include “transportation planners, design engineers, traffic and safety engineers, temporary traffic control designers and program managers, regional construction managers, construction project staff, maintenance staff, and contractor and utility staff”. “Training needs to be appropriate to an individual’s job responsibilities and to the job decisions each individual needs to make”. The NCDOT will require workers to have work zone safety knowledge and any training needed to gain that knowledge for all work performed by any agency, contractor, company, or individual while inside Highway Rights of Way. Subpart J and K of the Final Rule will be included in this information. The proposed knowledge levels and implementation dates are described below. It is expected that work zone safety knowledge levels will increase as an individual’s job responsibilities increase. The NCDOT has developed these knowledge levels in accordance with the following: OHSA Standards 1910 & 1926, ANSI Standards for Safety Apparel and or Work Zone Safety for Highway Construction, FHWA Final Rule on Safety and Mobility for minimum levels of training for individuals working inside highway rights of way, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD, 2009 Edition) for Temporary Traffic Control (TTC), AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, ITE Traffic Control Handbook, NCDOT Standards, Specifications, and Industry Best Practices. A list of sources for training of the various knowledge levels can be found at the Work Zone Traffic Control Section website: http://ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/wztc. While no specific training session is recommended for the Basic Knowledge Document, several sources are listed. Flagger certification can be obtained thru the listed training sources. Some of those training sources can provide Flagger Instructor courses that allow agencies and firms to train their own personnel as Flaggers using that training sources material with permission. Agencies and firms may decide to create their own course. Contact the Work Traffic Control Section through Stuart Bourne at 919-250- 4094 or Jim Kellenberger at 919-621-0362 for details on this process. Work Zone Supervisor Certification is obtained through NCDOT approved training courses. “Train the Trainer” training programs are not available for this knowledge level. NCDOT expects this training to create a hierarchy of Work Zone Traffic Safety decision making such that each agency and company will have trained personnel to answer questions and make decisions appropriate to the level of complexity of the work zone. This hierarchy will include the NCDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Section. It is expected that each agency, contractor, and company working inside the Highway Right of Way will have at least one Certified Work Zone Supervisor available to make decisions for their firm. The size of the firm will guide the number of Work Zone Supervisors needed. All employers will maintain records of training provided under this program with the names of those trained, the date and location of the training, name of the trainer, any certifications provided, and employee test scores and work experience if required. Copies of all NCDOT approved course materials will be maintained by the employer. Proposed updates to these materials will be provided to NCDOT for approval prior to implementation. NCDOT Work Zone Safety Basic Knowledge Document All personnel performing any activity inside the highway right of way will be familiar with the NCDOT Work Zone Safety Basic Knowledge document. Training for this document may be provided through agency/company developed training, or safety meetings or tailgate meeting. Personnel may also attend a NCDOT sponsored Work Zone Rodeo or other enhanced work zone safety training. This Work Zone Safety Basic Knowledge Document will be placed in each work vehicle. Certified Work Zone Flagger All personnel performing flagging, spotting, or operating Automated Flagger Assist Devices (AFAD) inside the highway right of way will be trained in an NCDOT approved Flagger Course. A written test is required with a passing grade of 70 or better. Flaggers will carry a card issued by the certifying firm that shows the dates of certification with recertification at regular intervals. · Certified Work Zone Supervisor · Certified Work Zone Designer (New – Proposed) |