Coordinate two different plans
Public traffic control tells road users where to travel. The internal plan defines movement of trucks, equipment and people within the project. Correct signing for motorists does not, by itself, prevent a worker being struck by the project’s own machinery.
Define entrances, exits, waiting areas, unloading locations and pedestrian routes. Pay particular attention where these activities intersect. Internal traffic in the workplace arrangements must reflect available space and construction progress rather than remaining a static diagram while the work changes around them.
Use consistent separation and signing
The competent road authority and project requirements determine temporary signs and protective measures. Cones and delineators guide traffic, but not every device can contain an encroaching vehicle. Selection must match the risk and actual configuration of the work zone.
Lane changes and narrow sections need to be understandable in advance. Trucks and buses require manoeuvring space and have substantial blind spots. Consider approach speeds, visibility and possible queues rather than applying generic distances to every road and traffic situation.
Make people visible and control manoeuvres
High-visibility clothing complements separation; it does not replace it. At night, lighting should make the task and workers visible without dazzling drivers. Workers need to understand the areas in which equipment operators cannot see them from the driving position.
Flaggers need training, protected positions and a defined communication system. Avoid unnecessary reversing and stop a manoeuvre if visual control or communication is lost. An audible alarm does not guarantee that everyone nearby has noticed or understood the movement.
Review each work phase
A delivery, change of workfront or removal of a barrier can create new conflicts. Instructions must reach delivery drivers and subcontractors before entry. Installing and removing temporary traffic control are themselves exposed activities and need their own planning.
Checks during the shift should identify displaced devices, obstructed routes and weather changes. Arrangements must explain how to stop work and obtain assistance following an intrusion or incident. The purpose is to preserve effective separation throughout the operation, including transitions between tasks.
