Stop Slow Bat Traffic Controller SWMS

For traffic control companies, civil contractors and road crews who put accredited traffic controllers on roadworks. It follows the controller’s shift from briefing and equipment checks through directing traffic, communicating, managing aggression and fatigue to handover.

Traffic control is high risk construction work under WHS Regulation s 291(n) when it is part of construction work on, in or adjacent to a road in use by traffic, and a SWMS is then required under s 299. This document applies when the traffic control supports construction work; traffic control for an event or other non-construction use is outside that requirement, and the document then works as a written safe work procedure.

Learn More: What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?
Have you ever been asked to provide a SWMS on a project in Queensland? Read our guide to what a Safe Work Method Statement is and when you need one.

What Is Covered In Our Stop Slow Bat Traffic Controller SWMS?

The job steps run in the order the work is done, from pre-start checks to finishing up. The hazards and controls include:

• Controller struck by vehicles that fail to stop
• Vehicles entering the work zone
• Poor visibility of the controller
• Radio failure or confused signals
• Driver abuse and aggression
• Fatigue on long shifts
• Heat, sun and dehydration
• Lightning and metal stop/slow bats
• Low light, rain and night work
• Queues and incidents near the worksite
• Emergency vehicles and oversize loads
• Walking in the road at changeover

High Risk Construction Work

These high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are already ticked because they are part of this work. Tick any others that apply to your job:

• Is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians

Licences, Training and Competency

• Queensland traffic controller accreditation, with the accreditation identity card carried at all times while working and shown on request
• Only an accredited traffic controller, or a person completing an approved course under a traffic controller’s supervision, may direct traffic (Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015 ss 51, 54, 55)
• General construction induction training card (white card) for construction work on or beside a road
• Working in Proximity to Traffic training for workers on or next to a road, as the Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice 2008 recommends
• Site induction and a briefing on the traffic guidance scheme for the site

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice 2008
• Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015 (Qld): traffic controllers, sections 51 to 55
• Traffic Controller Accreditation Scheme Approved Procedure (TCASAP)
• Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 3 (MUTCD Part 3)
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work (guidance)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (12 pages), laid out on A4 landscape pages
• Business, client, job and document details typed once and filled in on every page, plus a space for your logo
• The high risk construction work checklist, worded as WHS Regulation s 291, and the construction project question (s 292)
• A worker and health and safety representative consultation record
• Qualifications, plant, PPE, hazardous chemicals, safety equipment, permits, references and emergency arrangements filled in for this work
• A 5 x 5 risk matrix, and job steps with initial and residual risk scores and the people responsible
• Implementing, monitoring and review requirements, an additional controls log, revision history and a worker sign-on sheet

Review and adjust it for your site, your plant and the way your crew does the job, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. If you have any trouble downloading this SWMS, you can contact us at any time. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.