Traffic Management & Control SWMS

Traffic management and control involves the design, deployment, operation and removal of temporary traffic control devices — signs, cones, barriers, variable message signs, portable traffic signals and hand-held stop/slow bats — to separate live vehicular and pedestrian traffic from a road worksite. Workers install taper zones on active carriageways, direct traffic under 'Traffic Controller' authority, and work within centimetres of vehicles travelling at posted speeds up to 110 km/h. The dominant risk is being struck by a road user who fails to slow, merges late, is distracted, fatigued or impaired; secondary risks include being struck by plant, sun and heat exposure, and manual handling of heavy devices.

This work is High Risk Construction Work under section 291(n) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW) because it is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road or traffic corridor in use. A Safe Work Method Statement is therefore mandatory under section 299 before work commences. Controls must follow AS 1742.3 and the current Transport for NSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual, and be applied through the hierarchy of control — eliminating exposure by full road closure or detour where reasonably practicable before relying on positive protection, signage and PPE.

Hazards identified

12 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1ELIMINATE: Where reasonably practicable, undertake work under full road closure with signed detour, or schedule work in off-peak/low-volume windows to remove worker exposure to live traffic entirely.
2. 2SUBSTITUTE: Replace hand-held stop/slow bat control with portable traffic signals (compliant with AS 4191) or Automated Flagger Assistance Devices to remove the traffic controller from the traffic stream.
3. 3ENGINEER — Positive protection: Deploy road safety barriers (concrete or water-filled to AS/NZS 3845.1) and Truck-Mounted Attenuators between live traffic and the work zone on roads with posted speeds ≥ 80 km/h wherever geometry allows.
4. 4ENGINEER — Traffic Guidance Scheme: Prepare a site-specific TGS/TMP designed and signed by a Transport for NSW accredited 'Prepare a Work Zone Traffic Management Plan' holder, complying with AS 1742.3 and the current TfNSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual, including buffer zones sized to speed environment.
5. 5ENGINEER — Speed management: Apply reduced speed limits via authorised Speed Zone Authorisation, use physical speed reduction measures (lateral shifts, chicanes), variable message signs (VMS) and rumble strips on approaches.
6. 6ADMIN — Accreditation: Every traffic controller holds a current SafeWork NSW-recognised 'Control Traffic with a Stop-Slow Bat' (RIIWHS205E) and 'Implement Traffic Management Plans' (RIIWHS302E) qualification as required, with cards carried on site.
7. 7ADMIN — Set-up/pack-up procedure: Install signs and devices in the direction of travel from the furthest advance warning sign inwards; remove in reverse order; never cross a live lane on foot to place devices — use a shadow vehicle with rear-mounted TMA and flashing arrow board.
8. 8ADMIN — Communication: Two-way radios on a dedicated channel between traffic controllers at each end of single-lane closures with token/lead-vehicle system; documented positive handshake before releasing traffic.
9. 9ADMIN — Fatigue and rotation: Traffic controller rotation every 2 hours maximum on stop/slow duties; rest breaks in shaded, hydrated environment; shift length limits and night-work fatigue management per site fatigue policy.
10. 10ADMIN — Respirable crystalline silica: Where traffic control overlaps saw-cutting or grinding, maintain upwind position, wet-cutting at source and air monitoring in accordance with the Workplace exposure limit of 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hr TWA).
11. 11PPE: Day/night high-visibility garments to AS/NZS 4602.1 (Class D/N), safety footwear to AS/NZS 2210.3, hard hat to AS/NZS 1801, sun protection (broad-brim attachment, SPF 50+, UV-rated eyewear to AS/NZS 1067) and P2 respiratory protection to AS/NZS 1716 where dust/fume present.
12. 12CONSULT & REVIEW: All workers hold CPCCWHS1001 (White Card); the SWMS is developed in consultation with workers under section 47 of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW), signed on before work, and reviewed under section 302 of the WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) whenever the TGS changes, an incursion occurs, or conditions change.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

A civil contractor is replacing a stormwater pit on the Princes Highway at Kiama, requiring closure of the left southbound lane over three consecutive nights between 8pm and 5am. The posted speed is 80 km/h. The Traffic Guidance Scheme, prepared by an accredited TMP designer, applies a 60 km/h roadworks speed zone under a TfNSW Speed Zone Authorisation, deploys advance warning VMS 1 km back, a taper compliant with AS 1742.3 for 80/60 km/h, water-filled barriers along the longitudinal buffer, and a Truck-Mounted Attenuator upstream of the crew. Two accredited traffic controllers hold RIIWHS205E and communicate by two-way radio; controllers are rotated every 90 minutes. All workers wear AS/NZS 4602.1 Class D/N garments and hold CPCCWHS1001. The SWMS is signed on by all workers before shift, reviewed after Night 1 when a near-miss incursion is logged, and the taper is lengthened by 20 metres before Night 2 under section 302.

Related legislation

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) — sections 19, 31, 32, 38, 47
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW) — sections 291(n), 299, 302
• Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) and Road Rules 2014 (NSW) — authority for temporary speed zoning and traffic control
• Roads Act 1993 (NSW) — approvals for work within a road reserve
• Transport for NSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual (current edition)
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) — where road occupancy triggers approvals

Frequently asked questions