Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the step-by-step safety controls for managing pedestrian movement and public interaction around work activities to minimise the risk of injury and incidents. It is a comprehensive, ready-to-use document that covers multiple aspects of pedestrian management and public interaction safety to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Control of pedestrian traffic at and around active worksites, including entry and exit points
• Ensuring pedestrian safety where work interfaces with public access ways, shops, schools, or community facilities
• Foot traffic management around temporary works, plant movements, and material loading zones
• Human and vehicular traffic control in shared zones, including interaction with delivery vehicles and plant
• Management of pedestrian flow onto and across busy roads, intersections, and driveway crossings
• Planning and managing traffic controls in public spaces such as parks, plazas, and shared paths
• Safe systems of work for mobile operations in public spaces, including moving work vehicles and trolleys
• Pedestrian safety controls near construction sites, demolition areas, and building refurbishments
• Preventing bystanders and unauthorised persons from entering operational or exclusion zones
• Pruning, vegetation management, and tree works carried out near public paths, roads, and car parks
• Setting up, maintaining, and dismantling pedestrian exclusion zones and diversions
• Working in close proximity to pedestrians or members of the public during routine and high-risk tasks
• Working safely along footpaths and roadsides, including verge works and shoulder works
• Undertaking works on public footways and roads with temporary lane, shoulder, or path closures
• Selection, placement, and inspection of barriers, bollards, temporary fencing, and signage for pedestrian control

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, local councils, landscapers, utilities and maintenance crews, traffic controllers, construction contractors, and site supervisors working in or around public areas and pedestrian zones.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with mobile plant operating near pedestrians and the public
• Construction Work Code of Practice: Requirements for planning and managing construction activities that interface with public spaces and pedestrian routes
• Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Ensuring effective communication with workers, subcontractors, and other PCBUs regarding pedestrian and public safety
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls for pedestrian management
• Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work (relevant State/Territory guidance): Principles for worksite traffic and pedestrian management on or near roads and footpaths
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017