Toolbox Talk: Traffic Management
Traffic on a construction site can be highly dangerous if moving vehicles and equipment are not used correctly or safely.
Traffic on site
Traffic on a construction site can be highly dangerous if moving vehicles and equipment are not used correctly or safely.
Mobile plant on site can include vehicles such as Utes, vans, delivery trucks, and other light vehicles. They all have the potential to kill or seriously injure someone by striking them or colliding with other vehicles or equipment.
The person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) should develop, establish and monitor a vehicle movement plan for all applicable sites. This plan should be communicated to all workers on site.
A vehicle movement plan should include an assessment of work site factors. e.g.:
- sight distances
- traffic volumes around work site
- residential areas
- weather conditions
- road alignment and road type.
Assessment of work procedure factors:
- stationary work site or slow-moving traffic near or on site
- hours of work
- equipment access
- working on the roadway and/or shoulder.
Consider the above site and work procedure factors to make traffic control plan decisions. Also consider:
- types of traffic control devices
- approach area
- spacing of traffic control device
- working area.
IDENTIFY traffic risks
When considering the traffic risks on site, think about:
The site
- What's the layout and access like?
- Where are the entrances for vehicles and for people?
- Is there a lot of natural light?
- Are there well marked road and pedestrian paths?
- Is there traffic signage on site?
The vehicles
- Is it an appropriate vehicle to use on a construction site?
- Does it have good visibility?
- Are seat belts fitted?
- What's the loading and unloading capacity of the vehicle like?
- Has it been well maintained?
- What other vehicles will be on site?
The driver
- Is the driver or drivers of the vehicle/s trained and competent to operate it safely?
- Do they have training records and medical checks?
- Is the driver fit to work (behaviour or observations)?
ASSESS the controls available
There are a range of controls you can use to safely manage traffic on site. Under the three topics above, these can be:
The site
- Develop a vehicle movement plan including the direction of traffic around the site. A vehicle movement plan should set out the vehicle routes and directions on site to minimise inconvenience and ensure the safety of everyone who will access the site.
- Organise work involving vehicles and pedestrians to occur at different times.
- Establish speed limits on site and designated delivery and turning areas.
- Consider using fences, barriers or barricades around exclusion zones.
- Restrict access to pedestrians where vehicles are operating.
The vehicles
- Ensuring the vehicles are well maintained and working well.
- Having pre-start checks and keeping vehicle records.
- Using reversing alarms, flashing lights, and reversing cameras.
The driver
- Make sure all drivers have initial and refresher training in operating the vehicle.
- Put in place medical and drug and alcohol polices - and make sure they are working well.
- Ensure drivers, and all workers on site, are wearing hi-vis clothing.
- Induct drivers onto the vehicle movement plan.
MANAGE with a site traffic plan
Once you have identified the traffic risks and assessed the controls available to you - a full traffic management plan should be developed and regularly reviewed for the work site.
When developing the plan:
- Ensure blind spots are identified and include exclusion zones around vehicles for workers, contractors, subcontractors, and others who may need to access the site. including the public.
- Work out who has right-of-way - and make that clear.
- If accesses are blocked or congested, this can make an emergency evacuation difficult.
Everyone on site should be trained in the plan and control measures in place.
Q and A
- Ask everyone on site to be part of developing the traffic management plan for this site.
- If a vehicle movement plan is already in place, ask them to review the plan and how it is working in practice.