Safety at Road Worksites - implications and opportunities for local government Dan Sullivan

Abstract

Temporary traffic management (TTM) is generally considered a simple task. Traffic management technicians follow published guidelines to design the signs and devices for roadworks. Many Engineering Managers, Traffic Managers and Traffic Engineers give it little consideration as it is typically subcontracted to TTM companies. However, the TTM profession is recognised as a high risk profession in Australia. Not only are workers at risk, but in cases, members of the public unfortunately lose their lives because of the presence of the road work site. Recent surveillance audits at road worksites in one State revealed a 100% non-compliance rate for TTM supporting the long-held anecdotal evidence. Several recent Coroner’s decisions have identified the lack of professional input into TTM designs having contributed to worksite deaths. Traffic management companies, Principal Contractors and Government Agencies have all found themselves recently prosecuted for Worksafe breaches. There is therefore an immediate and urgent need for upskilling the industry across all roles in procuring, managing or delivering TTM. This paper outlines the current industry state, the changes being made, and the steps traffic engineers and project managements need to undertake to protect the public, workers and themselves from the consequences of unsafe design. A review of all practices across Australia and New Zealand has initiated a major shift in TTM practices and culture, strongly supported by the Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) who represent those companies operating in the TTM industry, State and Territory road agencies and Austroads. Austroads focussed on improving the standard of TTM design, implementation and operation by developing the Guide to Temporary Traffic Management and developing Harmonised Training. This upgrade in the extent and quality of TTM guidance is focussed on supporting industry to get TTM right on the ground. However, numerous other aspects were identified that also need to be considered. It has been established that there is a much broader professional environment surrounding TTM that all needs to be evaluated if a successful step change is to be achieved. The key aspects include; • The role of road agencies in the design of the works and the requirements that they put in place which can subsequently reduce worker safety. • The role of the principal contractor at a site in procuring and managing the TTM task including the critical task of being an informed buyer. • The role of workers on the site and how individual decisions can significantly reduce the safety for themselves, other workers and the public. • The role of enforcement activities, not just the police but contract and technical enforcement • The education of drivers to operate within a safe system. The results of recent coronial enquiries and court cases now places a much higher accountability on traffic engineers and managers to develop defensible temporary traffic management in the same way that they develop traffic management solutions and road design solutions. This study has now identified the significant changes that need to occur within all organisations who have any role at all with regards to TTM.