Product Overview

Summary: This Traffic Control and Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for planning, setting up, and managing traffic around worksites in Australia. It helps organisations protect workers, road users and pedestrians while maintaining compliance with WHS and road authority requirements across construction, civil, utilities and event environments.

Traffic around worksites is one of the highest-risk interfaces between workers and the public. Whether you are managing lane closures on a busy arterial road, conducting utility maintenance on suburban streets, or coordinating traffic at a major event, poorly managed traffic can result in serious injury, regulatory breaches and reputational damage. This Traffic Control and Management SOP sets out a practical, repeatable system for planning and implementing safe traffic arrangements that align with Australian WHS duties and state and territory road authority requirements.

The procedure guides users through the full lifecycle of traffic management: from pre‑start planning and risk assessment, through selection and implementation of Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS) or Traffic Management Plans (TMP), to on‑site monitoring, communication protocols and demobilisation. It clarifies responsibilities between the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), traffic controllers, site supervisors and subcontractors, and embeds controls for high‑risk activities such as working adjacent to live traffic, managing pedestrian movements and operating plant near roadways. By adopting this SOP, businesses can standardise their approach across multiple sites, strengthen WHS compliance, and demonstrate due diligence in the event of an incident or regulator inspection.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, compliant traffic control practices across all worksites and projects.
• Reduce the risk of vehicle‑to‑worker, vehicle‑to‑vehicle and vehicle‑to‑pedestrian incidents.
• Demonstrate due diligence and alignment with WHS and road authority requirements during audits and investigations.
• Streamline planning and approval of Traffic Management Plans and Traffic Guidance Schemes.
• Improve on‑site communication and coordination between traffic controllers, plant operators and site supervisors.

Who is this for?

• Traffic Controllers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Civil Works Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Event Operations Managers
• Utilities and Maintenance Team Leaders
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers
• Principal Contractors
• Road Safety Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle collisions with workers within or adjacent to the work area
• Vehicle collisions between road users due to unexpected or poorly signed workzones
• Pedestrians entering live traffic or exclusion zones
• Reversing and blind‑spot incidents involving trucks and mobile plant
• Worker exposure to live traffic at high speeds and close clearances
• Poor visibility conditions (night works, fog, rain, glare) reducing driver reaction time
• Improper placement or failure of traffic control devices (signs, cones, barriers, arrow boards)
• Fatigue and distraction among traffic controllers and spotters
• Manual handling injuries from deploying and retrieving signs, barriers and devices
• Aggressive or non‑compliant road user behaviour at work sites

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (TGS, TMP, PCBU, Work Zone, Live Traffic)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Traffic Management
• 5.0 Development and Approval of Traffic Management Plans and Traffic Guidance Schemes
• 6.0 Site Set‑Up: Signage, Devices, Barriers and Delineation
• 7.0 Pedestrian Management and Accessibility Requirements
• 8.0 Managing Mobile Plant and Vehicle Movements within the Work Area
• 9.0 Communication Protocols (Radios, Hand Signals, Briefings and Sign‑in)
• 10.0 Monitoring, Inspection and Adjustment of Traffic Arrangements
• 11.0 Night Works, Adverse Weather and High‑Risk Locations
• 12.0 Incident, Near Miss and Emergency Response Procedures
• 13.0 Demobilisation, Site Restoration and Post‑Work Review
• 14.0 Training, Licensing, Competency and Recordkeeping
• 15.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

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 – Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces
• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) – Parts 1–10
• AS 1742.3: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control for works on roads
• AS/NZS 1906.4: Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes – High-visibility materials for safety garments
• AS/NZS 4501.2: Occupational protective clothing – High visibility garments
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines