Traffic Management

The interaction between traffic and pedestrians can create a significant risk of injury.

Regulations require employers to separate traffic from pedestrians wherever practical, by establishing designated areas for traffic movement and ensuring pedestrians do not enter those areas.

What does the law require?

In most states and territories the issue of traffic movement is covered by the employer’s general duty to provide a safe workplace. Some states and territories have regulations in place, whilst others have developed guidance material to assist employers to understand the expectations regarding this issue.

Worker and pedestrian traffic and workplace safety

In planning and managing traffic in the workplace, take the following steps to develop and enact a traffic plan.

1. Responsibilities - Identify responsibilities under state legislation.

2. Audit - Conduct and audit of the workplace traffic to identify the traffic conditions, variables and current controls.

3. Risk Assessment - Conduct a risk assessment taking into account the outcomes of the traffic audit and in consultation with employees and other stakeholders.

4. Prioritise - Rank risks by priority and determine control options.

5. Traffic Control Plan - Develop a Traffic Control Plan and supporting Safe Operating Procedures [SOP’s].