Product Overview

Summary: This Traffic Management within Facility SOP sets out a clear, practical framework for safely managing vehicles, mobile plant and pedestrians in and around your workplace. It helps Australian businesses control collision risks, protect workers and visitors, and demonstrate compliance with WHS obligations for traffic management in fixed facilities.

Vehicle and pedestrian interactions are one of the leading causes of serious incidents in warehouses, factories, distribution centres and other fixed facilities across Australia. This Traffic Management within Facility Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning, implementing and maintaining safe traffic flows inside and immediately around your workplace. It covers everything from designing traffic routes and segregation measures, to managing delivery vehicles, forklifts and other mobile plant, right through to communication protocols and incident response.

Developed specifically for the Australian WHS environment, this SOP helps businesses translate legislative duties into practical on-the-ground controls. It supports you to identify high‑risk zones, implement engineered and administrative controls, and set clear behavioural expectations for drivers, operators, contractors and pedestrians. By standardising how traffic risks are managed across shifts and sites, the procedure reduces confusion, near misses and downtime, while providing a defensible framework you can rely on during audits, regulator visits or after an incident.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of collisions between vehicles, mobile plant and pedestrians within the facility.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS legislation and guidance on traffic management in workplaces.
• Standardise traffic controls and communication protocols across all shifts and work areas.
• Improve efficiency of loading, unloading and internal movements by clearly defining routes and priorities.
• Provide clear documentation to support inductions, contractor management and due diligence during audits or investigations.

Who is this for?

• Operations Managers
• Warehouse Managers
• Production Managers
• Facility Managers
• Logistics and Distribution Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Site Supervisors
• Transport Coordinators
• Forklift and Mobile Plant Operators
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle–pedestrian collisions in loading docks, warehouses and yard areas
• Forklift and mobile plant impacts with racking, structures, equipment or other vehicles
• Reversing vehicle incidents involving trucks, vans and delivery vehicles
• Poor visibility and blind spots around corners, doorways and intersections
• Congestion and unplanned traffic movements in high-activity zones
• Slips, trips and falls caused by poorly marked walkways or shared traffic routes
• Struck-by injuries from falling loads during loading and unloading operations
• Fatigue- or distraction-related driving and operating errors within the facility
• Uncontrolled entry of visitors, contractors or delivery drivers into high-risk traffic areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Areas within the Facility
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Operators, Pedestrians, Contractors)
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Framework for Traffic Management
• 5.0 Traffic Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification Methodology
• 6.0 Traffic Management Plan Overview and Documentation Requirements
• 7.0 Facility Layout, Designated Routes and Segregation Controls
• 8.0 Pedestrian Walkways, Crossings and Safe Access/Egress Points
• 9.0 Vehicle and Mobile Plant Operating Rules (Speed, Right-of-Way, Parking)
• 10.0 Loading Dock, Delivery and Despatch Management
• 11.0 Forklift and Mobile Plant Operations within the Facility
• 12.0 Signage, Line Marking, Barriers and Physical Control Measures
• 13.0 Communication, Two-Way Radios, Spotters and Hand Signals
• 14.0 Contractor, Visitor and Delivery Driver Induction and Control
• 15.0 Managing High-Risk Activities (Reversing, Night Operations, Congested Periods)
• 16.0 Pre-Start Checks and Housekeeping for Traffic Routes
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Hazard Reporting Related to Traffic
• 18.0 Emergency Access, Egress and Response for Traffic-Related Incidents
• 19.0 Training, Competency and Licence Requirements
• 20.0 Monitoring, Inspections, Audits and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Recordkeeping and Document Control
• 22.0 Review and Revision of the Traffic Management Plan and SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Workplace Traffic Management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace (where fuel or chemical deliveries occur)
• AS 2359.2: Powered industrial trucks – Operations
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 1742: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (as applicable to internal signage and line marking)