Land transportation safety recommended practiceAdditional guidance notes to OGP report no. 365

Road hazard assessment

All routes travelled should be assessed for hazards and those inherent risks that would adversely affect the success of a journey. This assessment could range from a review of local intersections and roads with a history of vehicle accidents or traffic conflicts to a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of a route travelled.

A person or persons well versed in the type of vehicles to be operated on the routes, should perform these assessments prior to the commencement of operations in a given area. The risks and controls measures subsequently identified should then be included in the prejourney risk assessment process. Alternative lower risk routes should be selected whenever possible in preference of those with a higher risk ranking.

A road hazard assessment tool has been provided as an example. It may be used as is, modified to fit needs, or used as a reference. The first sheet is the hazard identification and assessment whereas the second sheet is a format proposed for recording the assessment.

DisclaimerWhilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither the OGP nor any of its members past present or future warrants its accuracy or will, regardless of its or their negligence, assume liability for any foreseeable or unforeseeable use made thereof, which liability is hereby excluded. Consequently, such use is at the recipient’s own risk on the basis that any use by the recipient constitutes agreement to the terms of this dis-claimer. The recipient is obliged to inform any subsequent recipient of such terms.Copyright noticeThe contents of these pages are ©The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers 2005. All rights are reserved.

Instructions for road hazard assessmentReview road on following aspects:

Km/Mi Record each hazard by the corresponding kilometer/mile reading on the Hazard Register

Hazard Make use of the Hazard Type table to identify the road hazard(s)

RR – Risk Rank Risk Rank each hazard or hazard grouping at that kilometer/mileage reading using the Risk Ranking definitions and sheet

SS – Signal Strength Indicate the mobile phone Signal Strength at each hazard kilometer/mileage read-ing on a scale of 0-5 at each; identify kilometer/mileage reading of anomalous signal strengths (high or low)

Detail, control and comment As required and appropriate – record detail of the hazard(s), identify control meas-ures required to be implemented to eliminate or mitigate the risk(s), indicate as Point of Decision (chain up/en-route inspection/driver capability review) where applicable, location of facilities to assist in emergency response, or other information as desired

AA – Actions Assigned Identify those hazards that have corrective Actions Assigned and record Remedial Work Plan file number at bottom of the Hazard Register

Sheet 1: Hazard identification and assessment

Risk RankingLow risk

• exposure managed by application of existing policy, procedure or practice

• exposure management within control of driver

Medium risk• exposure managed by enhancement of existing policy,

procedure or practice and/or requires use of utility devices

• exposure management remains within control of driver• control must be in place for journey to proceed

High risk• exposure mitigated through intervention by party or

parties other than driver• control must be in place for journey to proceed

Assessed risk is relative to conditions at time of assessment. Escalating factors should be considered during pre-trip planning as they may impact risk ranking and the required controls.

Escalating Factors• Fog or smoke• Poor drainage/frequent mud• Snow and ice• Shadowed areas (slow to thaw)

– Known drifting location– Over-graded shoulders– Frost heaving– Runoff, thaw/freeze cycle

• Crosswinds/blowing snow• Weight restrictions (road/bridges)• Sun (eg low angle in winter)• Road surface liable to deteriorate rapidly when wet• Low illumination• Driver experience• Fatigue/low alertness • Conflicting priorities (eg crew change)• 3rd parties conflict/animals (traffic conditions)• Rain

– Visibility, pooling on roads• Winds

Hazard type tableDriving surface width and integrity

• Narrow (meeting or passing a vehicle difficult, no pull-off areas)

• High crowning – traffic migrates to the center of the road

• Excessive loose gravel• Paved or oiled surface breaking up• Washboard • Potholes/ruts• Shoulder type

– Sharp drop off– Washout– Soft– Narrow

• Ditch condition– Deep– Obstacle strewn– Fluid filled

• Ice roads/ice bridges

Potential collision objects• Trees/rocks• Encroaching road banks• Narrow bridge/bridge rails/tunnel or abutments/cattle

guards • Height restriction (bridges, overpasses, low power lines)• Avalanche risk (rock, mudslides, snow)• Passing other vehicles (poor visibility, dust, blowing

snow)• Meeting other vehicles (logging trucks, weekend traffic,

rural , farmers)• Animals (known areas and crossings)• Pedestrians (school zones, hikers, hunter, tourists)

Road design/intersections• Corners (blind, sharp, banked)• Intersection (blind, sharp)• Railway crossings (high angle, controlled)• Crest of hill (can’t see over)• Steep hill (runaway downhill, load limiting uphill)• Risk of grounding ou

– Crown of hill– Railroad grade crossing– Bridge approach– Very deeply worn ruts

• Inadequate or absence of appropriate signage• Line-of-sight obstruction (vegetation, structures)• Dust

Sheet 1: Hazard identification and assessment

Hazard register

Km/Mi Hazard Risk rank Cell SS Detail, control & comments

0 3 Posted steep hill, trucks use chains - decision point

0.2 steep downgradecorner at bottom, left

M 1 Seasonal, may need chains

0.7 S curves, right L 1 40 kph

1.1 sharp corner, right L 1

1.8 sharp curve, leftsharp rise

M 1

2.4 S curves, right L 1

4-4.6 downgrade leading to bridge M 0 no side rails on bridge, poorly markedseasonal, may need chains

5 steep upgrade M 0 seasonal, may need chains

5.7 sharp curve, left L 1

6 upgrade, then downgrade M 1 seasonal, may need chains

7-9.3 3 section with good cell phone signal strength

9.2 sharp curve, right L 3

9.6 sharp curve, rightintersection

M 0 30km/hturn-off to Billy Bog

10.5 steep downgradeextremely narrow bridge at bottom

H 0 2.8m wide, no side rails on bridge, poorly markedrequire signal person on ground to guide driverseasonal, may need chains

10.7 steep upgradecorner at top of grade, right

M 0 seasonal, may need chains

11 facility entrance, traffic point L 1 Gas plant, staffed, land line available for emergen-cies

Basic information

RHA number: 12345 Start point: <intersection> End point: <gas plant>

Assement date: 10 Jan 03 Radio control? box, ticked Radio frequency: 555.55

Maximum advised speed(s)?: KPH MPH 60 (max speed posted)

Conditions at time of assessment

Road (average):posted at turnoffsteep hills, trucks use chainshigh grade gravel

Weather:clear

Light: clear, 08:30+Temp: -17C

Road directions & detail:

From <intersection>, west 11km to gas plant

private road (emergency contact re: road: 403-555-5555 ext. 55)

Sheet 2: Recording the assessment