Managing risks

A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must manage risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. The risk management process is discussed below. Identify hazards —find out what could cause harm.

Under the model WHS Regulations, work that involves movement of powered mobile plant, or work that takes place on or adjacent to a public road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is used by traffic (other than pedestrians), is considered high risk construction work. The model WHS Regulations impose additional obligations for high risk construction work.

Traffic control is a high risk activity

A PCBU in control of a workplace that includes the high risk construction work must ensure there is a safe work method statement (SWMS) in place before the work commences. A safe work method statement must identify the work that is high risk, specify hazards and describe the measures to control the risks, including how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

“Traffic control must be used if road users are to be directed to deviate from a traffic regulation, such as;
* crossing a barrier line
* unloading from the opposite side of the road, when work is conducted within 1.5m of traffic”