FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Purpose Driving vehicles is a high risk activity that our workers undertake and it is undertaken on a frequent basis throughout the day. This instruction provides the requirements for safe driving and journey management when driving on unsealed roads to ensure the safety of worker and other user safety. Scope This instruction applies all Horizon Power sites, including Workers operating, servicing, and/ or maintaining (MPS) Micro Power Systems electrical equipment (inclusive of all generating methodologies) and activities where workers are to operate vehicles on sealed roads. Safety Workers must complete the following safety prerequisites when driving a vehicle, a risk assessment must be carried out using the Risk Analysis Procedure (OSH-3.6-1-02), to identify and document the hazards and risks associated with driving to ensure appropriate control measures are implemented. It is important that, appropriate control measures must be identified, documented and implemented in order to control hazards to As Low as Reasonable Practicable (ALARP). OSH-3.6-2-15 Vehicle / Equipment checklist must be completed at a frequency of no greater than monthly for each vehicle. Any defect must be reported immediately. Training and Authorisation. Horizon Power workers must be in possession of a current/valid driver s licence appropriate to the vehicle class used. Horizon Power Workers who intend to operate a vehicle on unsealed roads must be trained and authorised as per: The Horizon Power Technical Skills Matrix The Horizon Power Contractor authorisation process in 1.2 Contractor Authorisation Process. CS # FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Page 1 of 5
Instruction Before commencing a trip consideration and planning to be taken into account before travelling on unsealed roads. Formal Leaders are to ensure journey management plan if journey is expected to take 4 hours or more one way, the plan shall consider: Check and monitor the progress of local hazards such as cyclones, fires and floods; Check road conditions with Main Roads WA (phone 138 138), the local shire, police or the local tourist bureau; Ensure your Formal Leader is informed of your route, expected return time and any change in itinerary; Drive in accordance with road conditions and not the speed limit, Be Alert! for washouts, wandering stock (especially at dawn and dusk) Be aware of all road signs, never travel on a closed road as unpredictable road conditions and as substantial penalties will apply; Ensure 4WD systems are engaged prior to driving on unsealed roads. Driving in Horizon Power areas of operation, the road conditions may change because of weather, the environment, traffic, crashes and / or roadworks, the roads include: Unsealed Dusty Sandy tracks Remote roads Used by heavy vehicles and Road Train areas Wet or flooded CS # FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Page 2 of 5
Driving on unsealed roads Driving on these roads is more hazardous than driving on bitumen roads. As control of the vehicle and braking are more difficult, drivers should reduce speed in order to maintain safe control. When driving on an unsealed road, which has half of the tyre grip or friction of a bitumen road, a driver will need double the distance when braking to a stop as compared to the braking distance normally required on bitumen. Driving in dusty conditions If driving through dusty conditions: Pull over, only if safe to do so, check in rear mirror first, stop and wait for the dust to settle; and Turn lights on so other vehicles can see you. Place air-conditioning in recycle mode if following a vehicle or fresh air if there are no vehicles in front of you. Driving in sandy conditions Driving on sand is very different to driving on a sealed road surface; sand over the road can make your vehicle lose traction when driving, drive slowly and keep up your momentum to avoid spinning your wheels. When driving a 4WD vehicle on sand ensure that you: Deflate your tyre pressure to 18 PSI as a starter for better traction and bigger footprint, and carry an air pump and re-inflate when you drive on hard surfaces. Make sure your vehicles Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is turned off (Revert to your vehicles manual if you do not know how to do this ) When stopping on sand ALWAYS reverse back 10 meters so when moving forward it s on a harder traction surface, this will decrease your chance of the vehicle bogging down. CS # FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Page 3 of 5
Driving on corrugated roads Where conditions allow, travelling at low speeds and with a lower tyre pressure, it is also a speed from which you can slow down much more easily (without heavy braking) if you have to. Note: Corrugations are tough on your vehicle, and it is easy to damage your vehicle if you push too hard, your suspension will be having pretty rough time. Your shock absorbers will be working at their limit over corrugations especially over a long distance, where heat builds up and reduces their effectiveness, when this happens they experience :fade: and the ride in the cabin will get noticeably worse, at which stage you should try to stop the vehicle and let the shocks cool off. Also keep your eye on your shock absorbers bushes, which can be damaged on prolonged corrugations. The main thing to remember is to always drive to the prevailing conditions "Drive to the conditions, not an itinerary or timetable!" Driving on country roads When driving in the country or along remotely located roads: Headlights to be on and on low beam. Reduce your speed before nearing the edge of the road, as the edge may drop off or have loose stones. Keep one wheel on the bitumen due to the unstable nature of road edges. When driving towards the west, the afternoon sun can affect your vision from 4pm. Keep an eye out for livestock and wildlife on or at the side of the road. DANGER Encountering stock on a blind gravel corner can be dangerous, drive carefully. Adjust speed to suit the known road conditions. Always drive within the limits of your ability and experience. CS # FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Page 4 of 5
Unpredictability of the road surface Construction materials, weather, traffic volumes, and vehicle weights can change the condition of a gravel road very quickly. Driving safely in wet weather Driving in wet weather can be very dangerous; you should prepare and frequently maintain your vehicle to make sure you will always be as safe as possible when driving in wet conditions. It is recommended that you look at weather forecasts and road condition updates and plan your drive before heading out on long trips. When driving in wet weather always remember that the signed speed limit is the maximum safe speed in ideal driving conditions, speed must be reduced in wet road conditions. Aquaplaning Aquaplaning is where there is a build-up of water between the road surface and the tyres, causing them to lose contact with the road surface completely. If this happens, you may lose control of your vehicle. To reduce your chances of aquaplaning in wet weather, slow down and do not use cruise control. Driving safely in floods Western Australia experiences heavy rains and there are usually several cyclones each year that create flooding and sometimes destroy crossings, some WA roads are subject to flash flooding. References Road Traffic Act WA 1974 Occupational Safety & Heath Act 1984 Occupational Safety & Health Regulations 1996 SHMS OSH-3.6-1-02 Job Risk Analysis (JRA) Procedure SHMS OSH-36.6-2-02 Journey Management Plan SHMS OSH-3.6-1-08 Fatigue Management Procedure SHMS OSH-3.6-5e-02 Vehicle and Plant Competency and Licencing Requirements. CS # FI 2.34 - Safe Driving on Unsealed Roads Page 5 of 5