Product Overview

Summary: This Safety Management on Road Sites SOP sets out a clear, practical framework for planning, setting up and managing safe work on or near live traffic in Australia. It helps businesses control high‑risk roadside hazards, protect workers and road users, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and traffic management requirements across states and territories.

Working on or beside live roads exposes workers and the public to some of the highest-risk conditions in construction and maintenance. This Safety Management on Road Sites Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning and executing work in traffic environments, from initial risk assessment and traffic guidance scheme selection through to site setup, active control during works, and safe demobilisation. It translates Australian WHS and traffic management requirements into clear, usable instructions for supervisors, traffic controllers and crews on the ground.

The SOP addresses the real-world challenges of road work, such as managing changing traffic conditions, working at night or in poor visibility, coordinating multiple contractors, and dealing with impatient or distracted road users. It helps businesses reduce the likelihood of vehicle strikes, near misses, and public complaints by standardising how hazards are identified, controlled and monitored. By implementing this procedure, organisations can improve safety performance, support consistent training and induction, and provide documented evidence that due diligence has been applied in line with Australian WHS legislation and relevant road authority guidelines.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of vehicle strikes and serious incidents involving workers, plant and road users.
• Ensure road work activities are planned and executed in line with Australian WHS laws and traffic management requirements.
• Standardise how supervisors and traffic controllers assess, set up and monitor road work sites across projects and locations.
• Improve communication between workers, traffic controllers, subcontractors and road authorities during changing site conditions.
• Provide clear documentation to demonstrate due diligence in the event of audits, investigations or insurance claims.

Who is this for?

• Road Works Supervisors
• Civil Construction Site Supervisors
• Traffic Controllers
• Project Engineers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers
• Utilities Field Managers (water, power, telecommunications)
• Maintenance Team Leaders
• Principal Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle collisions with workers, plant or equipment
• Struck-by incidents from passing traffic or work vehicles
• Reduced visibility hazards during night works, fog, rain or glare
• Confusing or inadequate traffic control signage and delineation
• Worker exposure to live traffic lanes and high-speed environments
• Fatigue and reduced alertness during extended or night shifts
• Noise and distraction affecting situational awareness
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven road shoulders and work zones
• Heat stress and exposure to extreme weather conditions
• Manual handling injuries when placing signs, barriers and equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Standards and Legislative Requirements
• 3.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisor, Traffic Controller, Workers)
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Planning Road Site Works and Pre-Start Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Traffic Management Plans and Traffic Guidance Schemes
• 8.0 Site Establishment, Signage and Delineation Setup
• 9.0 Safe Work Methods for On-Road and Roadside Activities
• 10.0 Use of Plant, Vehicles and Spotters in Traffic Environments
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 12.0 Communication Protocols and Two-Way Radio Use
• 13.0 Managing Changing Conditions (weather, traffic volumes, incidents)
• 14.0 Night Works and Low-Visibility Controls
• 15.0 Public Interface and Managing Pedestrians and Cyclists
• 16.0 Fatigue Management for Road Site Work
• 17.0 Emergency Response, Incident Management and Site Evacuation
• 18.0 Site Handover, Demobilisation and Post-Work Inspection
• 19.0 Monitoring, Inspections and Corrective Actions
• 20.0 Document Control, Records and Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and State/Territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces (where adopted or referenced by jurisdictions)
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced in many organisations)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) – Parts 1–10 (as adopted by State/Territory road authorities)
• State/Territory road authority manuals for temporary traffic management (e.g. TMR QLD, TfNSW, DoT VIC, Main Roads WA, DIT SA)