SafeWork NSW has seen an increase in incidents involving traffic controllers using mobile phones, communication, and media devices for personal use on site. Using a mobile phone or other device for non-work purposes can cause attention to be taken away from possible hazards. This places the traffic controller and others at risk of being struck, crushed, or involved in a traffic incident.
Traffic controllers play a critical role in ensuring the safety of themselves, other workers, and the public, in directing safe passage through the worksite, and coordination of traffic for plant and vehicles within the construction site. Full attention is required when working.
Using a mobile phone is a distraction while working around mobile plant and live roadways. Traffic controllers must not use any electronic device, including a mobile phone, unless it is required for communication with other traffic controllers or their team supervisor to undertake their role.
Electronic and other devices include, but are not limited to:
- mobile phones
- two-way radios
- tablets, notebooks, and laptops
- music and other media players (such as air pods, in ear or headphone devices).
Use of these devices for non-work purposes increases the risk of:
- being struck by traffic moving through the work zone or plant and vehicles moving within the work site
- collisions with plant or structures
- plant overturning or moving unexpectedly due to lack of control, direction, or instruction.
Safety information
If you undertake work as a traffic controller you have a responsibility to ensure:
- you hold the correct training card for the type of traffic control work you are undertaking and a valid general construction induction card. For example, Traffic Controller (TCR), Implement Traffic Control Plans (IMP), and Prepare a Work Zone Traffic Management Plan (PWZ)
- you only use verbal communication either directly or via a two-way radio as the preferred means of communication between traffic controllers
- you use a two-way radio if clear sight between operators / traffic controllers is not available, are located an extended distance apart, or you are working at night
- mobile phones and electronic devices are not used for personal use whilst undertaking traffic control duties
- you follow the safe work method statement (SWMS) and traffic management plans
- you direct traffic and perform traffic control work in accordance with the Traffic Guidance Scheme (formerly known as a Traffic Control Plan)
- you follow the mobile phone and device usage policy on site.
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) are reminded of their duty to ensure the health and safety of persons and workers when planning and undertaking traffic control operations.
These duties include ensuring:
- traffic control workers hold the appropriate qualifications
- a system of work is designed to eliminate or minimise the risk of traffic controllers being struck by vehicles or plant, so far as is reasonably practicable
- systems of work are in place to supervise traffic controllers
- safe and adequate communication between traffic controllers and team leaders/supervisors is implemented
- there is a mobile phone and device usage policy, and it is followed on site
- systems of work are in place to provide information, instruction, and training to traffic controllers about the hazards, risks, and controls at the workplace
- a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) has been developed for the traffic control work.
Related guidance material
- Work Health and Safety Act NSW 2011
- Traffic control at work sites - Transport for NSW
- Traffic control work training
- Mobile communication devices
- The pocket guide to construction safety
- Workplace traffic management guidance material - Safe Work Australia