Worksite Traffic Management is about managing traffic in, around and through a worksite. Standards to optimize safety at all worksites where there is movement of vehicles, plant, pedestrians, personnel and others must be fully implemented in order to “manage traffic” efficiently and effectively.
These standards, regulations and codes of practice apply not only with personnel working on roads and road reserves but all working areas that may involve movement of traffic including closed sites such as in the work yard or depot.
The practice of Traffic management has become an integral and important method of reducing the risk of injury and impairment to workers and the public. Personnel involved in traffic management duties must be adequately trained to ensure the planning and establishment of a safe working environment is conducted. How do I get qualified?
The safe management of traffic is an essential requirement of any work undertaken on roads (whether on the roadway or roadside).
The objectives of traffic management are to –
(a) Provide a safe environment for all persons working on, and traffic travelling along, roads;
(b) Minimize the impact of the works on traffic (and where possible, give priority to public transport conveyances) and adjacent landowners/occupiers;
(c) Cater for the needs of all road users; and
(d) Communicate the arrangements for, and impacts of, any activities affecting traffic.
The basic requirements of traffic management:
(2) Section 99A (3)(a) of the Road Safety Act 1986 requires any person conducting works on a road to “have in operation a traffic management plan”, while section 99A(4)(a) requires that a traffic management plan “comply with the prescribed requirements” of any relevant regulations.
Section 99A of the Road Safety Act 1986 requires that any person conducting, or proposing to conduct works on a road “must ensure that the works … are conducted in a manner that is safe for road users and persons engaged in carrying out the works …”
(2) Further, any person responsible for conducting works on a road that is open to traffic has a duty of care under common law to take all reasonable measures to prevent accident or injury to persons carrying out the works and also to members of the public using the road.
For advice, training and guidance on traffic management issues, please contact:
Tim Hoare
Traffic Management Field Officer
Civil Contractors Federation (Vic)
Phone: 9819 5170
Mobile: 0428 528 433
Email: thoare@civilcontractors.com