Title: | Traffic and Pedestrian Safety | Publication date: | 10/4/2022 | Effective date: | 11/26/2012 |
POLICYA. PurposeThe Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program ensures that drivers, Berkeley Lab shuttle bus users, cyclists, and pedestrians have a safe transportation experience at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). B. Persons AffectedBerkeley Lab employees, affiliates, subcontractors, and visitors C. ExceptionsThe Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program does not address the transportation of radiological (See the Radiological Control - Overview policy) or hazardous materials (See the Transporting and Shipping Hazardous Materials policy). Further, this policy does not apply to the use of powered industrial trucks. Refer to the Forklifts and Other Powered Industrial Trucks ES&H Manual Chapter. Requests for exemption from the requirements outlined in the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety policy must be submitted via the Berkeley Lab Safety Concerns process. Such requests will be forwarded to the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Subject Matter Expert and, as appropriate, escalated to the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Subcommittee for consideration. D. Policy StatementThe traffic and pedestrian safety requirements outlined in this policy apply to government and privately-owned vehicle use, Berkeley Lab shuttle bus use, bicycle use, and pedestrians at the Laboratory. The TPS Subcommittee (a subcommittee of the Safety Advisory Council) meets periodically to review existing roadway and walkway conditions, evolving/emerging issues, and other topics related to traffic and pedestrian safety at on- and off-site locations. Because of the steep terrain, skateboards, scooters, in-line skates, electric personal assistive mobility devices (such as but not limited to Segways, skateboards, hoverboards, unicycles, etc), are prohibited from operating on Laboratory property. The use of electrically-assisted bicycles and sit-down scooters are allowed at the Berkeley Lab. Individuals that will operate government vehicles are required to complete the Fleet Vehicle Training. All employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors should receive a traffic and/or pedestrian orientation from their manager, supervisor, or host as appropriate for their transportation activities. The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program ensures the safety of every employee, visitor, affiliate, and subcontractor at Berkeley Lab by: - Defining safe practices for pedestrians to ensure they integrate well with other traffic (Work Process B, Pedestrians)
- Defining safe-use requirements for the operator of all vehicles (including bicycles) on site, but with a special focus on the use of government vehicles (Work Process C, Vehicle Use; and Work Process G, Bicycle Use)
- Defining the specific roles and responsibilities for implementing the Traffic and Pedestrian and Safety program at Berkeley Lab
- Describing what to do when involved in a vehicle accident or after receiving a traffic violation (Vehicle Accidents and Incidents Reporting policy and Work Process D, Vehicle Accidents and Violations)
- Describing parking rules and designations (Work Process E, Parking)
- Describing compliance with work-task-specific regulations (Work Process F, Complying with Work Task Specific Regulations)
- Analyses vehicular accident and enforcement needs and presents findings and recommendations for the full Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee, as needed.
E. Roles and ResponsibilitiesRole | Responsibility | Berkeley Lab Employees, Users, Affiliates, Subcontractors, and Visitors | - Berkeley Lab employees, users, affiliates, subcontractors, and visitors who operate a motor vehicle on Berkeley Lab property must:
- Have an appropriate (for the class of vehicle operated) and valid California driver's license or a California-recognized license issued by another state or by a foreign jurisdiction of which the operator is a resident
- Present their license whenever requested by Berkeley Lab Site Security, including when stopped for parking and moving violations or accidents
- Have insurance for any privately owned vehicle used during the course and scope of official business
- Follow all posted rules and directions and all state regulations for motor vehicle operation
- Park only in appropriate spaces, and ensure the vehicle does not impede or block pedestrian walkways or roadways
- Promptly (i.e., immediately after taking care of any life safety issue) notify Berkeley Lab Site Security (call 911 or ext. 6999) for any vehicle accident (an accident is any contact with another object that transfers paint or deforms any vehicle surface). Also complete and submit the Motor Vehicle Accident Report (see an example in the Appendix). The online form can be found through the Berkeley Lab A–Z Index, under Vehicle Accident Report.
- Have authorization to operate a government vehicle in accordance with the directions of his or her division director. Use of a government vehicle is restricted to official business only. Follow requirements in Work Process C, Vehicle Use.
- For other activities:
- Cyclists must wear a protective helmet when riding their bikes (including electric bicycles) anywhere on Berkeley Lab property or during the course and scope of official business
- Pedestrians must walk in designated pedestrian walkways (including crosswalks)
- Pedestrians should stop and look before crossing any crosswalk, even though they have the right of way.
| Managers and Supervisors | - Ensure (through communications and observation of work) that personnel perform all duties required to comply with the traffic and pedestrian safety requirements of this program (Note: managers and supervisors should engage in a dialogue with their staff to determine whether there are deficiencies in the overall program, specific Berkeley Lab infrastructures, or other conditions, and then serve as an advocate for employees to help improve vehicle and pedestrian safety at the Laboratory. Communicating needed improvements to the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee or through the Safety Concerns System is encouraged.)
- Must confirm that any vehicle accident occurring during the course and scope of official business and involving personal or government property under his or her supervision has been reported properly to Berkeley Lab Site Security (by completing and submitting the Motor Vehicle Accident Report) and appropriate division management
- Coordinate with Fleet Operations to modify or repair existing vehicles such as vehicles or GEMs, or request vehicle repair
- Prepare a Berkeley Lab Site Security Incident Report for every on-site accident involving a government or privately owned vehicle, and for off-site accidents that occur during the course and scope of official business.
- Participate in accident investigations, and complete the supervisor's portion of the Motor Vehicle Accident Report (see an example in the Appendix). The online form can be found through the Berkeley Lab A–Z Index, under Vehicle Accident Report. The supervisor will complete their portion of the report within 24 hours of the accident.
- Take appropriate disciplinary action when personnel receive traffic citations issued by Berkeley Lab Site Security
- Ensure that a vehicle custodial is assigned, as appropriate, to assist with vehicle scheduling, maintenance, etc.
| Berkeley Lab Security Manager | - Provides on-site traffic monitoring, and as the contracting official for the site security contract, provides direct interface for traffic control and enforcement
- Issues traffic control violation forms to personnel who violate parking and traffic rules, and provides copies of the citations to Berkeley Lab Human Resources Department, department managers, and supervisors
- Interacts with Berkeley Lab Human Resources, Fleet Operations, Berkeley Lab Strategic Communications, and building managers on traffic and vehicular safety issues such as blocking off parking lots and setting up road blocks
- Provides forms for reporting both on- and off-site vehicle accidents, assistance in filling them out, and digital images of on-site accidents
- Coordinates with local law enforcement when there is an off-site accident involving a government, rented, or leased vehicle during the course and scope of official business
- Issues special parking permits such as temporary disabled parking permits for on-site use only after Berkeley Lab Health Services verifies medical need
- Provides traffic control to assist the Berkeley Lab Fire Department in safe operations at the scene of an incident
- Prepares a Berkeley Lab Site Security Incident Report for every on-site accident involving a vehicle, and for off-site accidents that are work-related or involve government vehicles
- Directly or by proxy, serves as an active member of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee
| Berkeley Lab Facilities Division, Fleet Operations Manager | - Administers and oversees the fleet of vehicles in accordance with Laboratory and government policies
- Notifies vehicle custodians and others when vehicles do not meet appropriate utilization criteria
- Approves and coordinates vehicle additions, deletions, assignments, or reassignments to the Laboratory fleet
- Reviews and approves vehicle reclassifications or change of type of vehicle
- Maintains records of fleet maintenance and operation costs
- Ensures vehicle inventory information is maintained to include appropriate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and license information
- Ensures agency vehicle information is entered into the Federal Motor Vehicle Registration System (FMVRS) at fmvrs.fas.gsa.gov
| Berkeley Lab Health Services Group Leader | - Verifies disabilities and notifies Berkeley Lab Site Security for the purpose of issuing temporary disabled parking permits
- Conducts impairment evaluation when requested by the University of California Police Department (UCPD) or Berkeley Lab Human Resources and/or testing for illegal drugs or alcohol, and reports results to Human Resources as soon as available
| Berkeley Lab Facilities Division Director – Delegated to the Chief Engineer or Civil/Structural Engineer | - Ensures that all roads and pedestrian walkways are constructed and maintained in compliance with state requirements
- Ensures that all traffic control devices comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and are functional
- Makes any repairs or improvements to roads, walkways, and/or traffic control devices needed to ensure the safe operation of Berkeley Lab transportation networks
- Serves as an active member of the Berkeley Lab Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee
| Government Vehicle Custodians | - Maintains each government vehicle assigned as required by this program and division policies
- Maintains a use log for each vehicle and ensure the use log is available and used by vehicle users
- Ensures that each vehicle user has an appropriate driver's license and is briefed on the safety requirements for the operation of government vehicles
| Berkeley Lab Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee | - As a subcommittee to the Safety Advisory Committee, serves as a Laboratory-wide forum to discuss issues and improvements needed to ensure the safety of those using Laboratory roads and pedestrian walkways
- Through a subcommittee, analyzes vehicular accident and enforcement needs and presents findings and recommendations to the full Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee, as needed
- As needed, sponsors specific improvements in traffic and pedestrian safety
| Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Program Manager | - As a member of the EHS Division, serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for traffic and pedestrian safety and leads EHS and Berkeley Lab efforts to engage Laboratory staff and pursue opportunities for improving safety for Berkeley Lab vehicle operators and pedestrians
- Through this committee engages Berkeley Lab staff and key managers to develop annual goals and implement improvement activities
- Reports periodically on progress to EHS management and the Safety Advisory Committee
- Coordinates with the Fleet Operations Manager to manage the Government Vehicle Safety program by directly communicating requirements to government vehicle custodians, and through custodians to operators
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F. Definitions/Acronyms| Term | Definition | Accident, Preventable | An accident that could have been prevented by the driver based upon reasonable and prudent judgment, adherence to normal traffic safety practices, and/or specific training for the employee's job position.
A vehicle accident is considered to occur when a vehicle makes any unintended contact with another object that transfers paint or deforms any vehicle surface. | Accident, Nonpreventable | An accident to which the operator of the vehicle did not contribute. Such cases may result from natural forces, from acts by other than human agency, from a deliberate act by an outside party (for example, vandalism), from impact with an unperceivable object, or from impact while the vehicle is properly parked. | Commercial Driver's License (CDL) | A license that allows the holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle | Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) | A commercial motor vehicle is defined as (1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, and/or (2) a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and/or (3) a vehicle designed to transport 11 or more passengers, including the driver, and used to transport students under 21 years of age to and from school, and/or (4) any vehicle transporting hazardous materials which is required to be placarded. | | Course and Scope of Official Business | Activity conducted using a privately-owned or government vehicle to complete deliveries, transport personnel or equipment, travel to meetings on- or off-site, etc. Note: routine commuting to or from the Berkeley Lab is not included in this definition, nor is travel off-site for the purpose of conducting personal business. | Government Vehicle | Any vehicle purchased with government funds (local, state or federal funds) for carrying out official business. This definition of government vehicle includes vehicles leased from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). | | Non-conventional vehicles | Any mobility device that does not meet the definition of an automobile/truck, CMV, bicycle, motorcycle, moped, sit-down scooter, or wheelchair. | Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) | Any vehicle that is owned, leased, rented, or borrowed by an individual or company. This category includes vehicles other than GSA vehicles that have been leased or rented by Berkeley Lab or its staff members to be used in conducting official work (for example, rental cars, rented or leased trucks, forklifts). | Vehicle | A device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn by (for example) human power, electrical or wind power, propane, diesel, biodiesel, or gasoline power |
G. Recordkeeping RequirementsFleet management requires certain documentation, including maintenance of government vehicle usage logs. See Vehicles, Management of Laboratory or Government Fleet for further information. H. Implementing DocumentsDocument Number | Title | Type | 07.07.028.001 | Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Program | Program | 07.07.028.002 | General Requirements | Work Process A | 07.07.028.003 | Pedestrians | Work Process B | 07.07.028.004 | Vehicle Use | Work Process C | 07.03.004.000 | Vehicle Accidents Reporting | Policy | 07.07.028.006 | Parking | Work Process E | 07.07.028.007 | Complying with Work Task Specific Regulations | Work Process F | 07.07.028.008 | Bicycle Use | Work Process G | 07.10.001.001 | Transportation of Hazardous Materials | Program |
Traffic & Pedestrian Safety SME
EHS Division J. Revision HistoryDate | Revision | By whom | Revision Description | Section(s) affected | Change Type | 1/2/2012 | 0 | B. Lew | Rewrite for wiki (brief) | All | Minor | 11/26/2012 | 1 | R. DeBusk | Rewrite for wiki (policy) | All | Min | | 8/29/2013 | 1.1 | R. DeBusk | Incorporate missing info from old RPM 1.04; align with Vehicle Accidents Reporting policy. | Brief, Policy Section A, D.4, Imple. Docs | Minor | | 10/4/2022 | 1.2 | S. Robinson | Minor clarifications due to periodic review: update definitions: update specific requirements re: use of vehicles for official business; revise links to other relevant documents: sync with Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Program (ES&H Manual Chapter 60); establish types of non-conventional vehicles; update appendices; add reference to Work Planning & Control. | All | Minor |
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