Requests submitted under the Freedom of Information act to Dorset Council, includes the following;
Requests submitted under the Freedom of Information act to Dorset Council, includes the following;
Information Request – reference no. DC/7308
Thank you for your information request dated the 2nd of April, which has been dealt with under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). The EIR is broadly the same as the Freedom of Information Act but covers requests for information about the environment and environmental matters. My apologies for the delay in getting the response out to you.
Our response to your request is as follows:
I am assured by management of Highways that all relevant staff of Dorset council are trained in
regards to Highway law, especially around vegetation. Which means there should be student handouts and teacher notes that can be provided with the response.
Who is responsible for ensure that the relevant staff listed below are trained?
This is determined by their line manager.
What is the job title of the person who conducts the actual training?
The Learning and Development Team facilitate all training that has to be completed by Highways and the Construction Delivery Workforce to ensure that they are competent and Health & Safety aware.
Please provide Student handout and Teacher lesson plans for the points set out below.
External not available as we do not deliver all the training.
Please advise of how long after starting employment or taking on a new post with Dorset Council
do the following receive training about Highways and about vegetation affecting Highways?
All training for Construction Delivery starts immediately, but this is determined as to the type of work they are doing. This is specific training for their work within highways not vegetation.
a) Chief Executive
N/A
b) Relevant Director or Directors of Highways and Countryside
N/A
c) Head of Highways, and Head of Countryside
N/A
d) Operations and Commercial Services Manager
This is determined by their line manager.
e) Senior Technical Officer – Team Leader (Highways)
(Site Agents) all training for Construction Delivery starts immediately, but this is determined as to the type of work they are doing. This is specific training for their work within highways not vegetation.
f) Area Highways Inspectors, or whatever they are called now
Community Highway Officers receive training initially when they join and every 5 years after. They have this year attended a Highway Law course either Intro or Advanced.
g) Arboriculture Officers
The Arboricultural Officers are professionally qualified with many years of experience. All are fully conversant with the requirements of the Highways Act and relevant Countryside legislation.
h) Highways Formen – The person in charge of the labourers
As per Construction Delivery staff.
i) Countryside Rangers
N/A
j) Dorset Council’s labour force involved with Highways (Including PROW)
As soon as staff commence with Dorset Council, they attend an induction session, this includes health & safety and some mechanical plant training.
k) Gully cleaning staff
All training for Construction Delivery starts immediately, but this is determined as to the type of work they are doing. This is specific training for their work within highways not vegetation.
l) Dorset Council hedge cutting tractor driver
N/A
How frequently are staff put through refresher training
Highways and Construction Delivery workforce are put through a rolling programme of refreshers, this is indicated by a training matrix that is updated monthly. These are conducted on either a 3 or 5 year rolling programme for mechanical plant operation.
a) Chief Executive
N/A
b) Relevant Director or Directors of Highways and Countryside
N/A
c) Head of Highways, and Head of Countryside
N/A
d) Operations and Commercial Services Manager
This is determined by their line manager.
e) Senior Technical Officer – Team Leader (Highways)
See above ‘Highways and Construction Delivery’.
f) Area Highways Inspector, or whatever they are called now
Community Highway Officers receive training initially when they join and refresh every 5 years after said date.
g) arboriculture Officers
As and when needed as per the qualifications held.
h) Highways Formen – The person in charge of the labourers
See above ‘Highways and Construction Delivery’.
i) Countryside Rangers
on going program of training, both external and internal, team meetings - SAD days etc
j) Dorset Council’s labour force involved with Highways (Including PROW)
See above ‘Highways and Construction Delivery’
k) Gully cleaning staff
See above ‘Highways and Construction Delivery’.
l) Dorset Council hedge cutting tractor drivers
See above ‘Highways and Construction Delivery’.
What training are contractors’ staff put through in advance of any vegetation work for Dorset Council?
Formal qualifications such as NPTC MO1 – tractor driving and attachments, Chapter 8, etc plus detailed specifications as per the requirements of the job.
What steps are taken to ensure that each Contractor or their labourer has received full training before any vegetation work is carried out?
The procurement process requires comprehensive training for the work required plus a detailed specification.
What steps are taken to ensure contractors and their staff are aware that the “We’re only
responsible for the first 3 feet” is not true and training must be attended to address that
attitude?
Detailed Specification.
What is the definition of a culvert, and it’s purpose?
In Dorset, culverts are defined as having a span of between 900mm and 1500mm. Their purpose is to convey water beneath the highway either along or across the highway.
What is the minimum size that a culvert might be underneath a road?
A pipe of less than 900mm would be classed as a highway drain.
Where there is a dip in the carriageway, where would the storm/surface water be expected to drain to when;
a) The surfaced highway on two sides and one side of land are higher than the dip?
b) All 4 sides of the dip have surfaced highway and land that is higher than the dip?
In such a location this potential for a soakaway or installation of appropriate drainage would be considered.
When rodding/power hosing a gully/drain/culvert, what is it imperative that the operator’s assistant does before they pack up.
We do not have operator’s assistants. The crew would ensure the drain is clear, cover replaced area cleaned and traffic management removed before leaving site.
If a drainage ditch or grip is cleared of dirt, to where should that dirt be disposed?
Where possible, any material removed from the grip/ditch is spread on the verge. If there’s nowhere onsite to leave it, then it’s taken away and disposed of.
What happens if the excavated dirt from the ditch or grip is placed on the verge
Its spread out evenly as above to prevent falling back in
What is the purpose of street lighting?
To comply with Dorset Council published policy POLSL900Rev Jun 2020 and British Standard BS5489 (copyright publication)
Why is street lighting spaced at the distances that they are installed at?
To comply with Dorset Council published policy POLSL900Rev Jun 2020 and British Standard BS5489 (copyright publication)
What consideration must be applied when trees and/or overgrown hedges grow between or around streetlights?
To comply with Dorset Council published policy POLSL900Rev Jun 2020 and British Standard BS5489 (copyright publication)
What consideration must be applied when trees and/or overgrown hedges grow around bus shelters
As per the Highways Act.
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Dorset council failed to attach any handouts or other supporting documents, in their response of 16th May 2024