Workplace safety and health authorities across Australia are joining forces in an effort to improve safety for those working on or near public roads.

The program, which will begin next month and continue for three months, will see workplace safety inspectors from across the nation visiting more than 260 roadside worksites.

Acting WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said the targeted compliance program would provide jurisdictions with an understanding of the current level of compliance with work safety and health laws on roadside worksites.

“This proactive program has been designed to address safety issues associated with working on or near roads and raise awareness of practical risk controls,” Mr McCulloch said.

“The national program has been developed in response to series of incidents across Australia over the past 18 months that have seen five workers die and ten seriously injured while undertaking work on public roads,” he said

“Working on roads is an extremely dangerous activity and requires the management of multiple and fluctuating hazards.

“Factors such as high volumes of traffic, inadequate signage, poor traffic management and the use of powered mobile plant pose a serious risk that needs to be effectively managed.

“It is important to ensure the risks are minimised, and the inspectors’ visits will reinforce this,” Mr McCulloch said.

During March, April and May inspectors will monitor employers and site controllers to determine if adequate risk management and worker consultation systems are in place.

Improving safety when working on or near roads should involve:

• effective traffic management systems to reduce the interaction of plant and personnel;
• clear traffic signalling and adequate signage;
• placement of appropriate barriers that meet relevant safety standards;
• training and induction in site-specific traffic management strategies; and
• audible warning devices when plant is operating in reverse.

“This campaign will see the States adopting a harmonised focus in the lead-up to the rollout of nationally consistent work safety and health laws,” Mr McCulloch said.

Guidance material is available, including a Guidance Note on the safe movement of vehicles at workplaces.

Further information on traffic management is available by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Further information on this inspection program can be found on the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities website at www.hwsa.org.au.