Product Overview

Summary: This Highway Code Compliance Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for ensuring that all driving, roadside work and vehicle-related activities align with Australian road rules and WHS obligations. It helps organisations protect workers and the public, reduce transport-related incidents, and demonstrate due diligence when operating on or near public roads.

Operating vehicles and conducting work on or near public roads exposes organisations to heightened safety, legal and reputational risks. This Highway Code Compliance Safe Operating Procedure is designed to translate Australian road rules and WHS requirements into practical, day‑to‑day instructions for your workforce. It sets out how drivers, supervisors and roadside work crews are to plan, conduct and review their activities so that they are always operating within the law and in line with best-practice safety standards.

The procedure covers key risk areas such as driver behaviour, speed management, fatigue, mobile phone use, load restraint, vehicle condition, and safe work near traffic. It provides a consistent, defensible process for journey planning, pre-start checks, on-road conduct, incident response and post-incident review. By implementing this SOP, organisations can significantly reduce crash risk, protect vulnerable road users, and show regulators, clients and insurers that they have a structured system in place to manage highway-related hazards across their operations in Australia.

Key Benefits

• Ensure all drivers and roadside workers operate in line with Australian road rules and WHS duties.
• Reduce the likelihood of crashes, near misses and serious traffic incidents involving workers and the public.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers through a documented, repeatable compliance process.
• Standardise driver and roadside work practices across sites, contracts and regions.
• Support effective training, induction and ongoing competency management for staff who drive or work near traffic.

Who is this for?

• Fleet Managers
• Transport and Logistics Managers
• Project Managers (Civil and Infrastructure)
• Site Supervisors
• Road Maintenance Supervisors
• Utility and Service Crew Leaders
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Delivery and Service Drivers
• Traffic Controllers
• Local Government Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle collisions with other road users, pedestrians or cyclists
• Struck-by incidents involving workers on or near the roadway
• Driver fatigue leading to reduced alertness and reaction time
• Distracted driving due to mobile phones, in-vehicle technology or paperwork
• Speeding and inappropriate speed for conditions
• Poor load restraint causing shifting loads or objects falling onto the roadway
• Inadequate vehicle inspection and maintenance leading to mechanical failure
• Unsafe setup of roadside work zones and traffic control devices
• Exposure of workers to live traffic without adequate separation or protection
• Inadequate response to breakdowns or roadside emergencies

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Drivers, Traffic Controllers)
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Journey Management and Trip Planning
• 6.0 Vehicle Selection, Pre-Start Inspections and Maintenance
• 7.0 Driver Behaviour and On-Road Conduct
• 8.0 Fatigue Management and Fitness for Duty
• 9.0 Mobile Phone, In-Vehicle Technology and Distraction Control
• 10.0 Load Restraint and Vehicle Configuration
• 11.0 Working On or Near Roads and Traffic (Roadside Work Zones)
• 12.0 Speed Management and Operating in Adverse Conditions
• 13.0 Incident, Breakdown and Emergency Response Procedures
• 14.0 Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Document Control and Record Keeping

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Australian Road Rules (as adopted in each state and territory)
• AS 1742 series: Manual of uniform traffic control devices
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced in many systems)
• ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems
• NHVR Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (where applicable)
• National Road Safety Strategy and state-based road safety policies