I am in the process of reviewing our procedures for litter picking on dual carriageways, ‘A’ roads with a range of speed limits including both ‘national’, 50, 40, 30 etc and ‘minor’ rural roads. There is no (at least I can’t find any) HSE or WISH guidance on this. I am aware of the various ‘provisions’ within the Safety at Street Works and Roadwork’s, TSM Chapter 8 (neither of which give litter picking any mention, nor do I feel that they are really aimed at or particularly relevant to litter picking operations) and IAN 115/08 (which gives litter picking a passing mention but only deals with dual carriageways) I would be most grateful if there is anyone out there who is in the waste industry either privately or LA, who can help by sharing some practical information or advice on litter picking on verges and similar alongside live carriageways. Professional discretion is assured and I would be happy to share anything that I may subsequently produce. Happy to elaborate ‘off forum’ with anyone who feels that they may be able to help. Many thanks in advance of any help

Hi, I have used a pletherer of infomation on the subject through google which lead to various forums. The biggest problem we have in our district is an A class duel carriageway, the A42 that was never hard shouldered to become a motorway. If the road is classed as 'special' it warrants the Highways Agency maintenance and litter picking - sadly the A42 does not come into this category until it exits our District to become the M42. So we have the costly responsibility for litter. As this is the case we have to discuss closure details with the HA who only allow access at certain times.

If you can not get both your pickers and your vehicles onto the verge you will need to use traffic management. Whilst none of the documents you mention specifically refer to "litter picking" they do suggest precautions suitable for work sites that 'move'. It would appear that litter picking on single carriageways would be most sensibly covered by the provisions under "Mobile Works and Minor Works..." detailed in the current 'Red Book' [Safety at Street Works and Road Works]. This section is one of the more badly worded parts of the document, and Ch8 section O8.1.20 and Plan SVW1 makes it clearer. If you are on a high speed dual carriageway then you should be looking at a Crash Cushion to protect the site. You could also contact the Environmental Services Association [http://www.esauk.org/] as I believe that they were working on guidance for litter picking though I don't know if they ever finished it!

Thank you for all comments and contributions so far. Strangely enough, while dual carriageways are the main focus of the senior managers concerns, these tend to present the least challenge with regard to both the risk and the precautions. This is a view shared enthusiastically by the litter picking operatives themselves. Single carriageway trunk roads, with narrow or non existent verges, and ‘bendy, windy’ rural roads present some interesting challenges with how best to manage the risk without reverting to precautions that would be operationally impractical. I am aware of, and have a copy of IAN 115/08 and there are a few useful ‘bits and pieces’ in there. I have also enquired about its status, with no reply. It appears to remain ‘interim’. I do have the Veolia prosecution in mind. As far as Chapter 8 goes, I have tried to apply the various guidance and in particular those bits in O8.1 and O8.3 but with the best will in the world, while I am sure that they are useful for minor works such as the repair and re-instatement of pot holes etc I don't feel that they are entirely helpful in respect of the very transient nature of litter picking and the requirement to pick litter along 100’s of miles of rural roads on a regular basis. Out of interest, some years ago we did a rolling road block with crash cushions etc. Some drivers had the uncanny ability of being able to ‘dive’ back into the working lane in between the safety vehicles. It didn’t feel very safe at all! While there is any amount of guidance from the HSE/WISH on refuse collection there seems to be a gaping hole with regard to litter picking. I think I am beginning to understand why!

Hi RP many thanks for the offer, I have sent a PM Phil

Use a pictorial RA - streetmap style with 'green lanes' (less risky) and red routes or part thereof, and put on the key hazardous points in black, safety and litter drop points and vehicle parking etc. in a nice ceruse :<) Take a map, some coloured pens and a packet of biscuits to the depot and get the guys to do it for you. It might be fun and much more use than a bunch or words for the agency reliefs. You can use the same principle for the refuse and recycling rounds. Steve

Thank you again to all those who have made comments and made contact, in particular Robin. I will come back to you. Bob, I certainly tend to agree with your latter points. Steve, I have been out and about with my maps and pencil case full of highlighters! Now for an update. I have done quite a lot of research and been in contact with a number of others who do litter picking and it is clear to me that different Councils or waste management companies adopt a number of different approaches; some of which have attracted the attention of the Daily Mail. While there are some elements of Chapter 8 that have some relevance, I found myself ‘constrained’ by a document that really does not lend itself to, or recognise many of situations that are encountered with litter picking. This is a very ‘transient’ operation, and there are some genuinely practical/operational difficulties in applying SWs&RWs and/or Chapter 8 to many situations, and ironically it could be argued that some of the requirements for traffic management could actually increase the overall risk. I think that this may in part, where you may have been coming from Bob? For those of you who are involved in this kind of work, I have written to WISH who have responded. WISH recognised some time ago the gap in the guidance and they have been working on this for a few years with the HSE/ESA and the Kent Waste Management Partnership (you were right Edward!) I understand that they hope to publish this guidance, possibly with a revised version of the Chapter 8 in due course. Thanks again to all those who have contributed.

Davis - I have replied with contact details - Phil

Wish 24 have pmd you, meeting Birmingham 21st July, 10.00 you are invited

David, you seem to be very popular. Your mailbox is full and not receiving any more PMs