Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, practical system for managing vehicle and mobile plant movements within timber mills, from log yard to dispatch. It helps mills control high‑risk interactions between trucks, forklifts, loaders, pedestrians and fixed plant, supporting compliance with Australian WHS laws while keeping production moving safely and efficiently.

Vehicle and mobile plant movements in timber mills are inherently high risk. Tight operating spaces, constantly changing log stacks, variable ground conditions, heavy truck movements and busy production schedules all increase the likelihood of collisions and serious injuries. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, mill-specific framework for planning, controlling and monitoring traffic across log yards, production areas, storage zones and dispatch, with a strong focus on separating vehicles and pedestrians and managing contractor and visitor movements.

Developed for Australian timber operations, the SOP guides you through establishing traffic routes, speed limits, signage, exclusion zones, loading and unloading protocols, and communication systems between plant operators, truck drivers and ground personnel. It supports compliance with WHS legislation by documenting how your mill identifies vehicle and traffic hazards, applies hierarchy of control measures and maintains safe systems of work, including for high‑risk tasks such as log unloading, loading packs, night operations and adverse weather. By implementing this procedure, timber mills can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident frequency and severity, and provide clear, consistent instructions for staff, contractors and visitors entering the site.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of vehicle–pedestrian and vehicle–vehicle collisions in log yards, production areas and dispatch zones.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and regulator expectations for traffic management in high‑risk workplaces.
• Standardise traffic controls, loading procedures and communication protocols across shifts, contractors and multiple sites.
• Improve site flow and productivity by defining clear routes, queuing areas, loading bays and priority rules for vehicles.
• Strengthen induction and training by providing clear, documented rules for drivers, mobile plant operators and pedestrians.

Who is this for?

• Timber Mill Managers
• Operations Managers
• Yard Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Log Yard Coordinators
• Dispatch and Logistics Coordinators
• Forklift and Loader Operators
• Truck Drivers (On-site)
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle–pedestrian collisions involving trucks, forklifts, loaders and other mobile plant
• Vehicle–vehicle collisions in log yards, processing areas and loading bays
• Struck-by incidents from moving timber packs, logs and forklifts during loading/unloading
• Reduced visibility due to stacked timber, dust, poor lighting or adverse weather
• Reversing vehicle incidents, including blind spots and spotter miscommunication
• Traffic congestion and unsafe queuing at entry gates, weighbridges and loading areas
• Slips, trips and falls in shared traffic–pedestrian zones and around loading areas
• Fatigue-related driving errors for truck and mobile plant operators on extended shifts
• Uncontrolled access of visitors, contractors and delivery drivers to high‑risk areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Management, Supervisors, Operators, Drivers, Visitors)
• 4.0 Site Layout and Traffic Flow Design (Log Yard, Production, Storage, Dispatch)
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Vehicle and Traffic Activities
• 6.0 Traffic Control Measures and Hierarchy of Controls
• 7.0 Vehicle Routes, Speed Limits and Priority Rules
• 8.0 Pedestrian Walkways, Crossings and Exclusion Zones
• 9.0 Entry, Induction and Sign‑in Requirements for Drivers and Visitors
• 10.0 Loading and Unloading Procedures for Logs and Timber Packs
• 11.0 Use of Spotters, Radios and Communication Protocols
• 12.0 Reversing, Parking and Manoeuvring Requirements
• 13.0 Mobile Plant Operation within Shared Zones
• 14.0 Signage, Line Marking and Physical Barriers
• 15.0 Lighting, Visibility and Adverse Weather Controls
• 16.0 Pre‑start Checks and Maintenance Requirements for Vehicles and Mobile Plant
• 17.0 Fatigue Management Considerations for Drivers and Operators
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response for Traffic Incidents
• 19.0 Training, Competency and Licence Verification
• 20.0 Contractor and Third‑Party Transport Management
• 21.0 Monitoring, Inspections and Corrective Actions
• 22.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – provisions for traffic management and mobile plant
• 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 (for fuel and maintenance areas)
• AS 1742: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (for signage and road markings on private roads)
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced in many systems)
• ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use