Working near traffic toolbox talk

What it is

Work beside roads, traffic corridors or public areas where passing vehicles can strike workers and members of the public can enter the work area.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Close the road or lane, or schedule work for low-traffic periods, where the road authority permits.
2. Prepare a traffic management plan and traffic guidance scheme, set up by accredited traffic controllers where required.
3. Separate workers from traffic with barriers, lane closures or protection vehicles, and use approved reduced speed zones.
4. Keep the public out of the work area with fencing, signed pedestrian detours and spotters at access points.
5. Position workers to face oncoming traffic, and use a lookout when work must be done close to live lanes.
6. Wear high-visibility clothing suited to day or night conditions.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with working near traffic:

• Working adjacent to trafficWork safely beside live trafficFrom Asphalt Concrete Road Application and Repairs
• TrainingTrain operators on flora and fauna and people working near trafficFrom Landscape Planting

Questions for the crew

1. Where could working near traffic come up on this job today?
2. Is any of this work on today's job: Working adjacent to traffic?
3. The most effective control is: “Close the road or lane, or schedule work for low-traffic periods, where the road authority permits”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
4. Which controls for working near traffic are missing or not working on this site?
5. When would you stop work because of working near traffic, and who would you tell?
6. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?