Course Description

The "Municipal Liability: Temporary Work Zones" course is a two-day course that provides up-to-date comprehensive training on the safety requirements for temporary work zones on municipal roads in Ontario. The curriculum of the course is primarily based on the latest edition (April 2022) of the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 7 and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Currently, there is no standard system in place for municipalities or contractors to ensure that site personnel and engineers/supervisors receive mandatory training on developing and implementing traffic protection and control plans for temporary work zones. This lack of compliance can compromise the safety of all road users (including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians) and site personnel and may lead to costly claims in the event of an incident.

The course addresses this gap by equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement essential safety plans in temporary work zones. It also emphasizes the importance of proper training and certification for site personnel, which can be used as proof of competency in ensuring the safety of all road users and site personnel.

Several real-life examples are also discussed to explain how municipalities were found liable for failing to ensure the safety of road users (including motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists) in temporary work zones.

By completing this course and obtaining the certificate, participants can enhance their knowledge and contribute to safer temporary work zones while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Course Content

• Introduction to temporary work zones and their associated risks
• The history of the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 7 and its role in ensuring safety in temporary work zones
• Compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and O. Reg. 213/91 (construction projects)
• Developing and implementing Transportation Management Plans, Traffic Control Plans, and Traffic Protection Plans
• Typical layouts of temporary traffic control at temporary work zones
• Speed management in temporary work zones
• Considerations for vulnerable road users
• Visibility considerations at nighttime
• Traffic control devices used in temporary work zones
• Temporary traffic control for unplanned events
• The importance of maintaining records of safety plans and training certificates
• Case studies illustrating the consequences of inadequate safety measures in temporary work zones

Who Should Attend?

The primary audience for this course includes engineers and technicians/technologists who work or supervise work in temporary work zones. It is relevant for those employed by municipalities or contractors involved in roadway construction and maintenance. The course is also beneficial for engineers involved in designing projects impacting traffic operations or exposing workers to traffic.

Prerequisites

Participants are encouraged to bring the following:

• A copy of the 2022 edition of the Ontario Traffic Manual – Book 7 (download it for free here)
• An Internet-connected device (tablet, laptop, or smartphone) for participating in course polls, using the Slido app. The polls can be accessed through the Slido app or a browser - no registration required.

Evaluation Process

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

• Course Project 1 (designing a traffic control plan – day 1): 40%
• Course Project 2 (analyzing a case study related to a temporary work zone – day 2): 40%
• Final online test (20 multiple-choice questions): 20%

Participants must achieve a minimum score of 60% to pass.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon passing the course.