TOOLBOX TALK #11

Critical Risks –
Traffic management
Updated October 2017

dentifying, ssessing, anaging

and reviewing critical risks is a
Canterbury Safety Charter commitment.
Remember on site where it’s
around traffic management
up to everyone on site to understand and
manage the critical risks you’ll come across.

Project site: Employer:

Foreman/Supervisor: Date:

Attendees:

This toolbox talk is intended to help start a health and safety conversation and raise awareness about traffic management.
It is not designed as a complete risk management tool for the activity.

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, forklifts,

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.

You may also want to refer to Safety Charter toolbox talk #10
Critical Risks – Mobile plant and machinery.

1. 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 vehicle – 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? And 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 there a log of driver behaviour or observations?
Ask the team on site to think about these three things on the site you’re currently working on. Ask them to identify the traffic
risks based on these areas.


2. 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 traffic management plan including the direction of traffic around the
site. A traffic management plan should set out the vehicle routes and directions
on site to minimise inconvenience and ensure everyone’s safety.
• 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 mobile plant is 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 a medical and drug and alcohol policy in place – and make sure it’s working well
• Ensuring drivers, and all workers on site, are wearing high vis clothing.

3. MANAGE with a site traffic plan

Once you have identified the traffic risks and assessed the controls available Ask everyone on site to be part of
to you – a full traffic management plan should be developed and regularly developing the traffic management
reviewed for the site. plan for this site. If it’s already in
When developing the plan make sure blind spots are identified and also place ask them to review it and how
include exclusion zones around plant for workers and the public. Work out it’s working in practice
who has right of way – and make that clear. Everyone on site should also be
trained in the plan and control measures in place.

Where do we get more information?

The Safety Charter’s Critical Risk Traffic Management webpage has more information, which
is regularly updated. You can view it here or by clicking on Improve Health and Safety – Critical
Risks – Traffic Management from the homepage.
If you want toolbox talks on the other 12 critical risks you can check them out online.

Employee issues raised:

Date to be resolved by:

This toolbox talk was written with information from WorkSafe, Fulton Hogan and Downer. Thank you.