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Cover of Safety at Road Worksites: Stage 1 Working Papers
Safety at Road Worksites: Stage 1 Working Papers
  • Publication no: AP-R544-17
  • ISBN: 978-1-925451-85-6
  • Published: 5 June 2017

This report details contemporary practices to mitigate risk and improve safety at road worksites.

This research involved three study components:

  • The safety performance at worksites in Australia and New Zealand was qualitatively benchmarked with comparable international jurisdictions.
  • Best practice in road worksite safety management was identified through a comprehensive literature review, including manuals from international jurisdictions with comparable or better safety performance, and consultation with 13 international experts
  • The findings of the first two studies informed the development of recommendations for improving safety at Australian and New Zealand worksites.

The identified best practices are presented in six groups: regulation, traffic signs and informational controls; enforcement related controls; traffic related operational controls; worksite/worker related operational controls; physical protection and separation related controls; and driver education and awareness campaigns.

Initial recommendations were discussed with Austroads member agencies to understand degrees of applicability, feasibility, expected potential impact, and level of support in and relevance to their jurisdictions. The final recommendations were developed based on the feedback obtained from these consultations.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1. Background
    • 1.2. Objectives and Scope
      • 1.2.1. Objectives
      • 1.2.2. Scope
    • 1.3. Report Structure
    • 1.4. Definitions
      • 1.4.1. Road Worksite Sections
  • 2. Methodology
    • 2.1. Study Component 1: Benchmarking Safety at Road Worksites
    • 2.2. Study Component 2: Identifying Best Practices for Safety at Road Worksites
    • 2.3. Study Component 3: Recommending New and Improved Practices for Australia and New Zealand Road Worksites
      • 2.3.1. Development of the Preliminary Recommendations
      • 2.3.2. Review of Preliminary Recommendations by Austroads Member Authorities
      • 2.3.3. Development of the Final Recommendations
  • 3. Benchmarking Safety at Worksites
    • 3.1. Safety Performance at Worksites
      • 3.1.1. Common Worksite Incidents
      • 3.1.2. Common Worksite Hazards
    • 3.2. Benchmarking Australia and New Zealand
  • 4. Best Practices for Safety at Worksites
    • 4.1. Overview of Safety Measures, Controls and Applicability
    • 4.2. Regulation, Traffic Signs and Informational Controls
      • 4.2.1. Temporary Reduced Speed Limits and Speed Reduction
      • 4.2.2. Signs for Controlling Speed
      • 4.2.3. Path Guidance and Delineation
    • 4.3. Enforcement-related Controls
      • 4.3.1. Perceived or Implied Enforcement
      • 4.3.2. Active Enforcement
      • 4.3.3. Increased Penalties for Violations at Roadworks
    • 4.4. Operational Controls: Traffic-Related
      • 4.4.1. Stop/Slow Controls
      • 4.4.2. Pilot/escort Vehicles
      • 4.4.3. Rolling Blockades
      • 4.4.4. Traffic Calming Devices
    • 4.5. Operational Controls: Worksite/Worker-Related
      • 4.5.1. Automation
      • 4.5.2. Lighting for Night-Time Works
      • 4.5.3. Warnings and Alarms
      • 4.5.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      • 4.5.5. Communication and Planning Among Workers
      • 4.5.6. Training for Workers
      • 4.5.7. Fatigue Management for Workers
    • 4.6. Physical Protection and Separation-Related Controls
      • 4.6.1. Portable Temporary Barriers
      • 4.6.2. Truck-mounted Attenuators (TMAS) or Trailer-Mounted Attenuators
      • 4.6.3. Safety Buffer Area
      • 4.6.4. Anti-gawk Screen
    • 4.7. Driver Education and Awareness Campaigns
      • 4.7.1. Driver Education and Awareness Programs
      • 4.7.2. Use of Innovative and Attention-Grabbing Messages
      • 4.7.3. Relevant Content in Driver Licensing and Training Programs
    • 4.8. Process for Trialling New Controls
  • 5. Recommendations
    • 5.1. Preliminary Recommendations
      • 5.1.1. Recommendation 1: Harmonisation of Signage and Controls
      • 5.1.2. Recommendation 2: Enforcement-related Controls
      • 5.1.3. Recommendation 3: Higher Penalties at Worksites
      • 5.1.4. Recommendation 4: Selection of Worksite Speed Limits
      • 5.1.5. Recommendations 5-10: Public Education, Awareness and Communication
      • 5.1.6. Recommendations 11-35: Next Generation Devices and Practices
    • 5.2. Final Recommendations
  • References
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