Bagging off traffic signals no longer requires a ladder. The CoverMe pole system covers a signal head from ground level in under 60 seconds — reusable, ARTSM-endorsed, and trusted by UK councils, contractors and Heathrow Airport.
Bagging off traffic signals means covering signal heads so road users know they are out of operation — and it is one of the most frequent working-at-height tasks in UK traffic management. Traditionally it meant an operative on a ladder with plastic sheeting and tape, often at night, often beside live traffic.
The CoverMe system, invented by IRSS founder Peter Hoban, replaces that with a reusable cover deployed from ground level using a telescopic pole. This page explains when bagging off is required, the risks of traditional methods, how the pole system works, and what it saves in time and cost.
Bagging off is the covering of a traffic signal head to show it is not in operation. It is required whenever signals are:
An uncovered dead signal is a hazard: drivers may stop for a signal that isn’t operating, or ignore one that is. Clear, secure covering is a safety-critical part of signal works — which is why the industry body ARTSM publishes national guidance on it, co-authored by IRSS founder Peter Hoban.
The traditional approach: a ladder against the signal pole, an operative climbing with black plastic sheeting and tape, a second operative footing the ladder, and traffic management protecting them both. The problems:
No ladder. No climbing. Typically no lane closure for the covering task itself. The fall risk is eliminated at the top of the HSE hierarchy of control — avoided, not managed. Read the full working at height guide.
| Factor | Ladder + plastic | CoverMe pole system |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment per head | Several minutes + ladder handling | Under 60 seconds |
| Crew | 2 (climber + footing) | 1 |
| Working at height | Yes — every head | None |
| Traffic management | Often required | Typically not required |
| Consumables | Plastic + tape every time | Reusable cover |
| Waste | Single-use plastic per deployment | Near zero |
Across a junction upgrade with dozens of heads and multiple cover/uncover cycles, the savings compound. Try the CoverMe Calculator or the Deployment Time Calculator.
See ground-level bagging off in practice on live schemes:
Cover Me traffic light covers eliminate the need for ladders when bagging off traffic signals.
Covering a signal head so road users know it is not in operation, during commissioning, maintenance, switch-overs or temporary suspensions. Clear covering prevents drivers responding to a dead signal.
No. Pole-deployed systems such as CoverMe seat a reusable cover over the signal head from ground level in under 60 seconds, removing the working-at-height risk entirely.
With a pole system, under 60 seconds per head by a single operative. Traditional ladder-and-plastic methods take several minutes per head plus ladder handling and usually a second operative.
Yes. ARTSM publishes national guidance on covering traffic signals, co-authored by IRSS founder Peter Hoban. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 also apply wherever covering is done from a ladder.
CoverMe covers are designed for hundreds of deployments, replacing single-use plastic sheeting and tape — cutting waste and cost on every scheme.
IRSS ground-level covering systems are trusted by Heathrow, Siemens Rail and councils across the UK. Talk to us about your scheme, or calculate what ladder-free bagging off could save you.
Sources: HSE work-related fatality statistics 2024/25 · HSE work at height guidance · Work at Height Regulations 2005
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