Product Overview

Summary: This Parking and Traffic Management Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, compliant framework for managing vehicle movements, pedestrian access and parking on and around your workplace. It helps Australian businesses reduce collision risks, protect workers and visitors, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation.

Vehicle and pedestrian interactions remain one of the leading causes of serious incidents in Australian workplaces, particularly on construction sites, depots, warehouses, hospitals, schools and large commercial facilities. This Parking and Traffic Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical approach to planning, implementing and monitoring safe traffic flows, from entry gates and loading docks through to visitor parking and pedestrian walkways. It translates WHS obligations and traffic safety principles into clear, day‑to‑day instructions that frontline staff and contractors can actually follow.

The SOP covers how to assess traffic risks, design and signpost parking areas, control vehicle speeds, separate people from moving plant, and manage delivery vehicles, heavy vehicles and mobile plant. It also outlines how to respond to traffic‑related incidents and near misses, integrate traffic management into site inductions, and review your controls when site layouts or work activities change. By adopting this procedure, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of collisions, property damage and injuries, while also presenting a professional, well‑organised site to clients, visitors and regulators.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of vehicle‑to‑pedestrian and vehicle‑to‑vehicle collisions through structured traffic planning and controls.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation and relevant road and traffic safety requirements for on‑site vehicle movements.
• Streamline the management of parking, deliveries and contractor access, minimising congestion and delays.
• Improve visibility and consistency of traffic rules for workers, contractors and visitors via clear signage and induction requirements.
• Support incident prevention and continuous improvement with defined inspection, reporting and review processes.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors
• Facilities and Property Managers
• Operations Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Depot and Warehouse Managers
• Event and Venue Managers
• Traffic Controllers
• Local Government Works Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle‑to‑pedestrian collisions in car parks, loading zones and shared access ways
• Vehicle‑to‑vehicle collisions due to poor layout, blind spots or lack of traffic controls
• Reversing vehicle incidents involving trucks, forklifts and mobile plant
• Pedestrian trips, slips and falls in poorly marked or poorly lit traffic areas
• Speed‑related incidents in car parks and internal roadways
• Congestion and confusion caused by unclear parking rules and circulation routes
• Struck‑by incidents during loading and unloading activities
• Emergency vehicle access being obstructed by unmanaged parking

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 Site Traffic Risk Assessment and Planning
• 6.0 Design of Parking Areas and Internal Roadways
• 7.0 Pedestrian Segregation and Walkway Controls
• 8.0 Vehicle Entry, Exit and Access Control
• 9.0 Speed Limits, Signage and Line Marking Requirements
• 10.0 Management of Heavy Vehicles, Deliveries and Loading Zones
• 11.0 Mobile Plant and Reversing Vehicle Controls (Spotters, Cameras, Alarms)
• 12.0 Parking Allocation, Visitor Parking and Accessible Parking
• 13.0 Traffic Management During Construction, Maintenance and Events
• 14.0 Induction, Training and Communication of Traffic Rules
• 15.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Housekeeping of Traffic Areas
• 16.0 Incident, Near Miss Reporting and Investigation for Traffic Events
• 17.0 Emergency Access, Egress and Evacuation Route Management
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Traffic Management Plan
• 19.0 Document Control and Record Keeping
• Appendix A – Sample Site Traffic Management Plan Layout
• Appendix B – Example Signage and Line Marking Schedule
• Appendix C – Pre‑Start Traffic and Parking Inspection Checklist

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Workplace Traffic Management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced in many systems)
• AS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS 1742 Set: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (relevant parts for signage and line marking)
• Austroads Guides to Traffic Management (as applicable to on‑site traffic design)
• State and territory road rules and vehicle standards (e.g. Road Rules 2014 (NSW), Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (VIC))