Product Overview

Summary: This First Aid Procedures on Roadwork Sites SOP sets out clear, practical steps for responding to injuries and medical emergencies in high‑risk roadwork environments. It helps your crews act quickly and confidently on or near live traffic, supporting WHS compliance and reducing the severity and impact of incidents on your people and projects.

Roadwork sites are dynamic, high‑risk environments where workers are exposed to live traffic, heavy plant, hot materials and changing ground conditions. When something goes wrong, the first few minutes are critical. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, easy‑to-follow framework for delivering first aid on and around roadwork sites, from minor cuts and heat stress through to major trauma, struck‑by incidents and traffic collisions involving workers or members of the public. It recognises the unique challenges of roadside environments, including limited access for emergency services, noise, dust, night works and the need to maintain traffic flow while managing an incident.

By implementing this SOP, businesses establish a consistent, defensible approach to first aid that aligns with Australian WHS requirements and relevant Codes of Practice. It clarifies roles and responsibilities, outlines how to set up and maintain first aid facilities on mobile and temporary worksites, and details step‑by‑step response actions for common roadwork emergencies. The procedure also integrates communication and traffic management controls, ensuring that first aid is delivered safely without creating new hazards for responders, other workers or road users. This reduces confusion, speeds up response times, and supports better outcomes for injured persons while protecting your organisation from regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage.

The document is designed to be practical for use in the field, supporting toolbox talks, induction training and incident drills. It helps roadwork crews understand when to treat on site, when to escalate to emergency services, and how to coordinate with traffic controllers, plant operators and supervisors during an incident. For management, it provides assurance that first aid arrangements are planned, documented and regularly reviewed as part of your broader WHS management system.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a fast, coordinated and safe first aid response to incidents on or near live traffic.
• Reduce the severity and impact of injuries through clear, step‑by‑step guidance tailored to roadwork conditions.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and first aid in the workplace requirements.
• Standardise first aid expectations and training across multiple crews, contractors and shifting worksites.
• Improve integration between first aid, traffic management and emergency services to minimise disruption and secondary incidents.

Who is this for?

• Roadwork Site Supervisors
• Traffic Controllers
• Civil Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• First Aid Officers
• Leading Hands and Team Leaders
• Plant Operators (e.g. rollers, excavators, pavers)
• Labourers on Roadwork Crews
• Contractor Management Coordinators
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Workers being struck by passing vehicles or construction plant
• Crush injuries and entrapment from mobile plant and equipment
• Traffic collisions involving workers, work vehicles or members of the public near work zones
• Heat stress, heat stroke and dehydration during outdoor works
• Cold stress and exposure during night works or adverse weather
• Burns from hot bitumen, asphalt and plant surfaces
• Lacerations, puncture wounds and amputations from tools and machinery
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven surfaces, excavations and debris
• Respiratory irritation or illness from dust, fumes and exhaust
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of roadwork materials and equipment
• Psychological distress following serious or fatal incidents on site

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, First Aiders, Workers, Traffic Controllers)
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standard References
• 5.0 First Aid Risk Assessment for Roadwork Sites
• 6.0 First Aid Facilities, Kits and Equipment Requirements for Mobile and Temporary Sites
• 7.0 Competency, Training and Induction Requirements for First Aiders
• 8.0 Pre‑Start Checks: Verifying First Aid Readiness Each Shift
• 9.0 Communication Protocols and Emergency Contact Details
• 10.0 Incident Scene Safety and Traffic Management During First Aid Response
• 11.0 General First Aid Response Procedure (DRSABCD and site‑specific considerations)
• 12.0 Specific Response Procedures for Common Roadwork Injuries and Conditions
• 13.0 Interaction with Emergency Services and Handover Process
• 14.0 Transport of Injured Persons from Roadwork Sites
• 15.0 Post‑Incident Actions, Debriefing and Psychological Support
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, Recording and Notifiable Incidents
• 17.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Replenishment of First Aid Kits and Equipment
• 18.0 Training, Drills and Continuous Improvement
• 19.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
• AS/NZS 4370: Medical emergencies – Management of a medical emergency and evacuation
• State and Territory Work Health and Safety Acts and Regulations (e.g. Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011)
• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (for integration with traffic control during incidents)