Product Overview

This Traffic Management on Public Roads and Highways Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for live traffic environments on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of traffic management and roadside work to support WHS compliance and protect both workers and the public.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Adhering to temporary traffic management plans, including site-specific layouts, approvals, and permit conditions
• Directing traffic around recovery scenes and incident sites to minimise congestion and secondary collisions
• Directing traffic during busy hours and peak periods to maintain safe and efficient vehicle and pedestrian flow
• Engaging with road traffic when transporting equipment to and from the work zone, including loading and unloading controls
• Ensuring public safety whilst working roadside, including separation of workers from the public using barriers and delineation
• Managing live traffic environments where traffic continues to flow adjacent to or through the work area
• Managing traffic flow manually using stop/slow bats, hand signals, and communication devices
• Operating quick clearance and incident response operations to remove vehicles, debris, or plant from traffic lanes safely
• Organising traffic control resources, including personnel, signage, cones, bollards, lighting, and variable message signs
• Establishing a safe traffic corridor and work zone layout, including taper lengths, buffer zones, and safe access/egress points
• Implementing traffic management for lane closures, shoulder closures, and detours on public roads and highways
• Working beside busy roads and highways, including set-up of work vehicles, plant positioning, and sight distance requirements
• Working during peak rush hours with elevated traffic volumes and increased risk of rear-end and side-swipe collisions
• Working in high traffic areas such as intersections, roundabouts, and multi-lane carriageways
• Working near roads or busy areas where pedestrians, cyclists, and vulnerable road users may be affected by the works

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for traffic controllers, civil and road construction crews, utilities and maintenance workers, tow and recovery operators, incident response teams, and site supervisors responsible for managing work on or near public roads and highways.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities on or adjacent to roadways
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – requirements for safe use of vehicles and mobile plant in live traffic environments
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – ensuring safe access, egress, and facilities for workers in roadside work zones
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework applied to traffic management and roadside operations
• AS 1742 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (relevant parts) – standards for temporary signs, devices, and traffic control at roadworks
• AS/NZS 3845 Road Safety Barrier Systems (where applicable) – guidance on the selection and use of temporary road safety barriers