Emergency Works: What You Can (and Can’t) Do Under AGTTM

Introduction

When the road collapses, a water main bursts, or powerlines fall — you don’t have time for red tape. But even in emergencies, you still have legal and safety duties.

AGTTM and QGTTM provide guidance on how to respond quickly without compromising risk management.

What Qualifies as Emergency Works?

Emergency works include:

• Hazardous infrastructure failures (e.g. sinkholes, gas leaks)

• Roadway collapse or flooding

• Vehicle crashes blocking live lanes

• Public utility failures requiring urgent repair

The goal is to restore safety or essential services. Not to fast-track routine maintenance.

Reference: AGTTM10-21, Section 5.1; QGTTM Part 2, Section 2.7.2

What You Can Do

✅ Implement a temporary response immediately

✅ Use pre-approved generic layouts if appropriate

✅ Initiate works before full TMP approval only when risk-justified

✅ Document who made the decision and why

✅ Escalate to road authority as soon as practical

TIP: Use a standby TMP or emergency layout library if available

What You Can’t Do

⛔ Use the "emergency" label to bypass planning for:

• Routine night works

• Minor pavement patching

• Temporary sign replacements

⛔ Skip the risk assessment entirely

⛔ Leave temporary controls in place for days without review

⛔ Fail to notify road authorities where required

Reference: AGTTM10-21, Section 5.3 and 5.4

Minimum Documentation Still Required

Even during the emergency phase, document:

• Time and nature of the emergency

• Immediate TTM measures taken

• Supervising person or authority

• TMP approval pathway

Once the site is stable, a formal TMP and TGS must be developed before works continue.

Real-World Tip

Have a laminated emergency TGS in vehicles for:

• Traffic crashes

• Tree falls

• Burst mains or major signal outages

Train supervisors on how to adapt these layouts based on:

• Location

• Visibility

• Time of day

Final Word

Emergency works are fast-paced and high-risk. That’s why they require better, not less, planning.

Know your limits. Respond with urgency. But never assume “emergency” means “no rules.”