Traffic Management SWMS

Vehicle and mobile plant strike incidents are among the leading causes of construction fatalities in Australia. The WHS Regulation 2025 classifies work in or near traffic as high risk construction work requiring a SWMS. This template covers traffic management plans, qualified traffic controller requirements, plant-pedestrian separation, and temporary speed zone implementation mapped to applicable codes of practice effective 1 July 2026 under Section 26A.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.4 — High Risk Construction Work

hrcw category

Work in or near traffic

code of practice

Traffic Management in the Workplace (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Vehicle strike on workers operating near live traffic lanes	Death, traumatic injuries	Possible
Mobile plant collision with pedestrian workers on site	Fatal crush injuries	Possible
Public vehicle incursion into construction work zone	Death of workers and public	Unlikely
Reversing vehicle or plant striking worker in blind spot	Fatal crush injuries	Likely
Traffic controller struck while managing traffic flow	Death, traumatic injuries	Possible

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Eliminate worker exposure to traffic by scheduling work outside peak hours or closing roads where feasible

Prepare a traffic management plan (TMP) designed by a qualified traffic management designer

Deploy qualified traffic controllers holding current traffic management accreditation at all active work zones

Install physical barriers — concrete jersey barriers, water-filled barriers — between traffic and work zones

Implement temporary speed reduction zones with advance warning signage per road authority requirements

Require high-visibility clothing (Class D/N as applicable) for all workers in or near traffic areas

Establish plant-pedestrian exclusion zones with physical separation on site — no shared access paths

Fit all reversing plant with reversing cameras, proximity alarms, and spotters for blind areas

Recent Prosecutions

Traffic management fatality cases (multiple jurisdictions)$200,000–$500,000 (various cases)

Workers struck and killed by vehicles in work zones with inadequate barriers, missing traffic controllers, and non-compliant signage. Multiple fatalities across road construction and maintenance sectors.

2024 — Safe Work Australia Vehicle as a Workplace Incident Reports

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Traffic management plan prepared by qualified designer with site-specific layout diagrams

✓Traffic controller accreditation verification records and positioning plans

✓Physical barrier type, placement, and inspection schedule

✓Plant-pedestrian separation measures including exclusion zones and controlled crossings

✓Emergency response procedure for vehicle incursion or worker-strike incident

Need a compliant Traffic Management SWMS?

Our WHS consultants develop traffic management SWMS with TMP integration and plant-pedestrian separation plans that satisfy regulator and road authority expectations.