Why Work Site Traffic Management Safety Matters
Work site traffic management safety is essential for protecting workers, visitors, and drivers from vehicle-related incidents. Across Australian worksites, the interaction between heavy vehicles, light vehicles, and workers on foot poses one of the greatest risks to health and safety.
According to Safe Work Australia data, being struck by moving vehicles or mobile plant remains a leading cause of workplace fatalities. Many of these incidents occur because of inadequate separation between people and machinery.
Effective traffic management plans (TMPs) are both a legal requirement and a practical necessity. Whether in construction, logistics, mining, or warehousing, work site traffic management safety must be proactively managed to prevent serious injury or death.
Legal Framework for Work Site Traffic Management Safety
Under Australian law, work site traffic management safety is governed by several key instruments. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 establish a duty for Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workplaces are safe and without risks to health.
Regulation 40 of the WHS Regulations specifically addresses managing risks associated with the use of plant, including mobile plant, and ensuring safe systems of work.
Practical guidance is outlined in the Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (Safe Work Australia, 2021). This document provides the foundation for developing compliant and effective traffic management plans.
Additional jurisdictional codes include:
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Worksite Safety – Traffic Management Code of Practice (VicRoads, 2010)
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Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice (QLD, 2023)
Adhering to these legislative and code requirements ensures your site’s traffic management safety measures meet national best practice standards.
Understanding the Risks: Heavy Vehicles, Light Vehicles, and Workers
Every work site brings a mix of heavy vehicles, light vehicles, and pedestrian workers, each with unique hazards.
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Heavy vehicles (e.g. trucks, cranes, and loaders) have large blind spots and require extended braking distances.
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Light vehicles (e.g. utes, forklifts, service vehicles) move frequently between zones and can create unpredictable risks.
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Workers on foot remain the most vulnerable to injury, particularly when visibility, hearing, or situational awareness is reduced.
According to the 2023 Safe Work Australia Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities Report, approximately 15% of workplace fatalities involve vehicles or mobile plant. Most are caused by workers being struck or crushed by moving vehicles in shared zones.
This highlights why segregation between vehicles and pedestrians is central to effective work site traffic management safety.
Read our article, Avoid Contact With Moving Objects.
Developing a Traffic Management Plan
A traffic management plan (TMP) is a formal document outlining how vehicle and pedestrian movements are controlled to prevent collisions and injuries. It identifies risks, assigns responsibilities, and defines safe routes and procedures.
A compliant TMP should include:
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Site Layout and Traffic Flow Map – Identify entry/exit points, loading areas, and pedestrian paths.
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Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment – Evaluate reversing operations, blind spots, and congested areas.
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Segregation Measures – Create separate zones for mobile plant operations and pedestrian work areas, using barriers or marked exclusion zones.
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Signage and Visual Controls – Use high-visibility signage, lighting, and ground markings.
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Communication Systems – Establish protocols for spotters, two-way radios, and visual signals.
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Training and Induction – Educate workers on traffic management safety rules and their role in the plan.
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Monitoring and Review – Regularly audit and update the plan when site conditions or activities change.
Consultation is essential. Under section 47 of the WHS Act 2011, PCBUs must consult workers when identifying hazards or making decisions about control measures such as traffic management.
Best Practice: Separating Vehicles and Workers
The most effective traffic management safety strategy is physical separation. The goal is to design sites so that pedestrians and vehicles never occupy the same space.
Best practice measures include:
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Pedestrian walkways with guardrails or barriers.
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Exclusion zones around mobile plant, marked by cones or fencing.
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Designated loading/unloading zones are restricted to trained personnel.
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One-way traffic systems to minimise reversing.
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Low speed limits—typically 10 km/h for shared zones.
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High-visibility PPE (e.g., Class D/N garments).
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Reversing alarms, proximity sensors, and cameras fitted to heavy vehicles.
According to Safe Work Australia’s General Guide for Workplace Traffic Management, maintaining a minimum 3-metre separation between pedestrians and operating mobile plant is recommended, increasing up to 10 metres for larger vehicles such as dump trucks or cranes.
By implementing these separation measures, employers significantly reduce collision risks and improve overall work site traffic management safety.
Read our article, Working Around Mobile Plant.
Training and Supervision
Training is vital to ensure that all workers understand and follow the traffic management plan. This includes contractors, delivery drivers, and visitors.
Training programs should cover:
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Site layout and designated routes
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Hazards associated with vehicles and mobile plant
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Safe work procedures for crossing or working near traffic
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Communication methods (radios, spotters, hand signals)
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Emergency response procedures
Supervisors play a key role in enforcing compliance. Regular site inspections, behavioural observations, and refresher briefings reinforce expectations.
The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice for Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination recommends ongoing consultation and review to maintain effective communication on evolving risks.
See our courses, Traffic Management, Blind Spots and Vision Shadows, and Road Construction.
Using Technology to Enhance Traffic Management Safety
Modern technology is increasingly supporting work site traffic management safety through automation and monitoring tools. Examples include:
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Proximity detection systems that alert operators to nearby workers.
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GPS tracking for vehicle routes and movement monitoring.
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CCTV surveillance to oversee high-risk zones.
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Digital TMP platforms that update layouts in real time.
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Wearable devices that vibrate or alert workers when entering unsafe zones.
These technologies provide an extra layer of control, complementing physical barriers and procedural systems.
Continuous Improvement and Review
Work site traffic management safety is an ongoing commitment. Regular audits, near-miss reviews, and site feedback sessions should contribute to your continuous improvement process.
If an incident occurs, it’s vital to review the traffic management plan immediately and consult affected workers about what went wrong and how to prevent recurrence.
Safety leadership involves staying informed of regulatory updates from Safe Work Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, SafeWork NSW, and WorkSafe Queensland. Proactive review ensures your TMP remains compliant and effective.
Conclusion
Effective work site traffic management safety is a cornerstone of a safe and efficient operation. By developing compliant traffic management plans, separating vehicles and pedestrians, enforcing training and supervision, and embracing technology, organisations can dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality.
Compliance with Australian legislation and codes of practice not only meets legal obligations but also demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting workers. Safe, well-managed traffic systems create safer sites, stronger safety cultures, and more productive workplaces for everyone.