Product Overview

Summary: This Road Marking Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent methods for planning and carrying out line marking works on Australian roads, car parks and civil sites. It focuses on traffic management, plant and chemical safety, and WHS compliance so your crews can deliver clear, durable markings without exposing workers or the public to unnecessary risk.

Road and line marking work is carried out in some of the highest-risk environments in Australia: live traffic lanes, busy car parks, and civil construction sites with multiple contractors and plant operating at once. This Road Marking Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-focused approach to planning and delivering these works, from pre-start planning and traffic control design through to application, curing times and demobilisation. It addresses the practical realities of working on roads—night works, changing weather, public interface, and coordination with other trades—while keeping workers, road users and pedestrians safe.

The procedure outlines clear, step-by-step instructions for surface preparation, equipment set-up, application of paints or thermoplastic materials, and quality checks, supported by robust hazard identification and control measures. It helps businesses meet their obligations under Australian WHS legislation and relevant road authority requirements by embedding controls for traffic management, plant operation, hazardous chemicals, heat, noise and manual handling. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce incidents, improve the consistency and durability of markings, and demonstrate due diligence to clients, regulators and auditors.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of vehicle–worker interactions by standardising traffic management and exclusion zones during road marking activities.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards for working near traffic, hazardous chemicals and powered mobile plant.
• Improve quality and consistency of road and line markings through clear, repeatable application and inspection steps.
• Minimise downtime, rework and project delays by defining pre-start checks, curing times and weather-related go/no-go criteria.
• Strengthen training and onboarding by providing a practical, task-specific procedure for new and existing road marking personnel.

Who is this for?

• Road Marking Operators
• Line Marking Crew Leaders
• Civil Construction Supervisors
• Traffic Controllers
• Project Engineers
• WHS Managers
• Local Government Works Coordinators
• Asphalt and Paving Contractors
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Principal Contractors and Site Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle and mobile plant striking workers in or near live traffic lanes
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals in road marking paints, solvents and thermoplastics (vapours, skin and eye contact)
• Burns from hot thermoplastic materials, heated kettles and application equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven road surfaces, loose aggregate and wet markings
• Noise exposure from compressors, line marking machines and nearby traffic
• Manual handling injuries from lifting paint drums, thermoplastic bags, gas cylinders and equipment
• Airborne fumes and poor ventilation during night works or in enclosed car parks
• Fire and explosion risks from flammable paints, thinners and LPG or gas-fired heating units
• Sun exposure, heat stress and dehydration during outdoor day works
• Poor visibility during night works or low-light conditions leading to increased incident risk

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 Required Competencies, Training and Licensing
• 6.0 Tools, Plant, Materials and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 7.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Traffic Management and Work Zone Setup
• 9.0 Surface Inspection and Preparation
• 10.0 Equipment Inspection, Setup and Pre-Use Checks
• 11.0 Road Marking Application Procedure (Paint, Thermoplastic and Other Systems)
• 12.0 Curing Times, Quality Checks and Line Marking Verification
• 13.0 Demobilisation, Site Clean-Up and Reinstatement
• 14.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 15.0 Working in Live Traffic, Night Works and Adverse Weather
• 16.0 Handling, Storage and Disposal of Paints, Solvents and Thermoplastics
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures (Traffic Incidents, Spills, Burns and Exposures)
• 18.0 Environmental Management (Overspray, Runoff and Noise)
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and Reporting Requirements
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice
• AS 1742 Set: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (particularly AS 1742.3 for works on roads)
• AS/NZS 1906.1: Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes
• AS/NZS 4501.2: Occupational protective clothing – General requirements
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets