Best practices in managing work site traffic

Worksite traffic is a key risk factor for injury to employees and bystanders. At construction sites, companies have a responsibility to keep people safe around cars and movable equipment. When multiple businesses share a workspace, they must cooperate to control the traffic-related dangers. While considering how to control the dangers associated with work site traffic, companies must communicate with their employees.

Application of the words “must” and “should”

The words “must” and “should” denote whether a particular course of conduct is mandated by the law or is merely a suggested course of action.

Must – A requirement that must be followed by law.

Should – Advisable method of practice.

Worksite traffic is a key risk factor for injury to employees and bystanders.

Who should follow these recommendations?

Any person managing an organisation or endeavour  who oversees a job site where automobiles or portable machinery are in use or whose employees perform work at such a site is subject to the rules in this section.

Workers, health and safety experts, or traffic management consultants who advise PCBUs on traffic management may also find it valuable.

What are the objectives of these rules?

These recommendations offer guidance on how to reduce traffic-related risks for employees and other visitors at construction sites. It gives instances of typical control measures and when they should be employed.

What exactly are the objectives of these rules?

These recommendations offer guidance on how to reduce traffic-related risks for employees and other visitors at construction sites. It gives instances of typical control techniques and when using them might be suitable.

The advice is divided into five key categories:

• Fundamentals of risk management
• Safe work environment (activities and design)
• Safe automobiles
• Dependable individuals
• Traffic management strategies and worksite orientation.

There will be some industries or workplaces where some examples provided in these recommendations will be more applicable than others. Every job site will have different aspects that need to be taken into account. Each PCBU will have to determine whether controls are practically feasible in their particular circumstance.

Additional traffic management guidance that is especially customised to your particular work site may be available from a competent traffic management consultant (such as a traffic engineer).

What types of traffic are covered by these regulations?

All sorts of congestion, including small cars, big machinery, and mobile devices that may be operated or driven on a job site, are covered by these regulations. This applies to coming into and leaving a job location.

Vehicles used on construction sites that fall under these regulations include:

For instance, both heavy and light vehicles

• Cars
• Trucks (including articulated trucks, dump trucks, and trucks with trailers)
• Vans
• 4x4s
• Motorcycles
• Buses

Mobile plant with power, for instance:

Equipment for material handling (telehandlers, walkie stackers, reach trucks, and forklifts), vehicles used in agriculture, such as tractors

• Heavy equipment (excavators, loaders)
• Transportable cranes and elevated work platforms

What kinds of workplaces are covered by these recommendations?

There are two primary categories of workplaces: static workplaces, where the layout is often constant, and dynamic workplaces, where the layout may occasionally alter. Both types of work sites are covered by these regulations.

Both indoor as well as outdoor traffic activities are covered by these regulations.

Examples of static work sites

• Storage facilities
• Manufacturing plants
• Retail locations (supermarkets, malls)
• Lumber yards, including general hardware and building supply shops
• Postal and delivery depots
• Centres for distribution
• Stations that convey waste

Examples of dynamic work sites

• Farming operations
• Locations of construction
• Forestry locations
• Yards for trucks
• Performances, fairs, and concerts
• Vineyards and orchards
• Landfills

Get in touch with Proactive Group if you want a traffic management plan for your specific work location.