Controlling Traffic Management

This latest safety alert from the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland looks at incidents involving traffic controllers.

THE purpose of this alert is to highlight the hazards and risks to workers performing traffic management and road construction work on roadways, following two recent fatalities. The information provided is designed to assist employers, self employed people, principal contractors, clients and project managers to meet their obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Background

Two traffic controllers were fatally injured in separate locations on 15 November 2010 when they were struck by reversing trucks at civil construction roadwork sites.

The first instance involved a traffic controller working on a site near Mackay. The traffic controller was positioned on the pavement area at an intersection to direct traffic around the bitumen spray seal operations. Trucks carrying pre-coated screenings were reversing along the road to the stockpile area for reloading. The worker was struck and suffered fatal injuries.

The second incident involved a traffic controller who was struck and fatally injured by a reversing tipper truck. The truck was delivering asphalt for road surfacing operations on Stafford Road north of Brisbane at night. The truck was fitted with an operating reverse beeper and reversing light at the time of the incident. The truck was also fitted with an external rear mounted reverse camera that was not operating at the time of this incident.

Contributing factors

These incidents are associated with the hazard of plant coming into contact with traffic control workers and other workers sharing the same work zone on road construction sites.

The risk to workers increases when mobile plant operators fail or are unable to see workers in close proximity. Risk also increases when the operator’s line of sight is impaired due to direction of travel or size and shape of plant.

Action required

Control measures should be selected in accordance with the hierarchy of controls. Higher order controls that substitute, isolate or engineer out the risk should be selected in preference to an administrative control. In practice, a combination of higher and lower order controls will normally be adopted to appropriately manage the risk.

Elimination

This involves controlling the hazard at the source. Examples include:

• removing plant and people from the same work area by changing work processes
• using traffic lights instead of a traffic controller to control traffic at roadwork sites.

Substitution

This involves replacing the hazard with another that has a lower risk. An example may include replacing an item of mobile plant, which has a restricted field of vision to one that has a clear field of vision.

Isolation

This involves removing or separating people from the source of the hazard. Examples may include:

• using physical barricades
• using exclusion zones that are enforced and clearly marked
• segregating the work processes through distance and time

Engineering

This involves changing physical characteristics of the plant or work area to remove or reduce the risk. Examples may include:

• reversing cameras in mobile plant
• an externally triggered emergency brake control
• proximity detection technology
• re-design of plant to allow for clear line of sight
• audible warning devices activated when the vehicle is reversing.

Administrative

This includes policies, procedures, signs and training to control the risk. Examples may include:

• developing and implementing a traffic management plan for any traffic control activities being undertaken
• developing and implementing a construction safety plan for the work being undertaken
• developing and implementing a work method statement to identify any risks and implement controls measures
• organising, coordinating and monitoring work processes to reduce interaction between workers and mobile plant by:
  • developing a site access system or permit system that manages the movement of personnel on the worksite
  • using an onsite controller to authorise and monitor the movement of mobile plant in all circumstances
  • using a spotter to control all reversing operations
  • implementing measures where workers have clear sight of mobile plant operating and vice versa
  • providing equipment such as two way radios that allows for communication between mobile plant and ground crew
  • conducting pre-start meetings prior to commencing work to discuss all specific work site hazards/risks and control measures
  • thoroughly checking safety devices and audible working alarms of mobile plant prior to commencing any work
  • ensuring people are fit for work
  • ensuring worker training, experience and competency is consistent with the nature/complexity of the task

Control measures need to be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure they are effective in preventing or minimising the risk.

For practical advice on managing exposure to risk when using plant, visit the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website for information at www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

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