Build a workplace traffic management plan separating people from powered mobile plant — routes, controls, signage and review.
Last verified: 21 June 2026
Assemble a workplace traffic management plan: the mobile plant in use, the people–plant interactions and risks, pedestrian areas, the controls (separation, walkways, speed limits, signage, spotters, reversing alarms) mapped to the hierarchy of controls, responsibilities and review — then print it or save it as a PDF. General information, not legal advice.
Build a workplace traffic management plan that separates people from powered mobile plant. New to your WHS duties? Start with the WHS Quick Check or browse the Safety Hub for related tools.
Site details
Mobile plant in use
Tick the powered mobile plant that operates on this site. Each one is recorded with the people–plant interaction risk it creates.
Pedestrian areas and other risks
Record where people on foot are present, and any extra site-specific risks. One per line.
Controls
Tick the controls you are putting in place. They are grouped on the plan by the hierarchy of controls — eliminate the interaction and physically separate people from plant first, before relying on signage or high-visibility clothing.
Responsibility and review
Opens your browser's print dialog. Choose "Save as PDF" to keep a copy or share it with workers and contractors. Attach your site diagram to the printed plan.
Tick at least one type of mobile plant above to build your traffic management plan.
Workplace Traffic Management Plan
Draft template prepared with FairWorkMate.com.au — not legal advice.
Site / workplace
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Site address
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Responsible party
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Prepared by
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Date
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The duty this plan addresses
The PCBU has a primary duty (model WHS Act s 19) to ensure health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and must manage the risks of powered mobile plant — including the risk of the plant colliding with pedestrians or other plant — applying the hierarchy of controls.
Model WHS Act s 19; model WHS Regulations reg 213-215 (powered mobile plant); Safe Work Australia, Traffic management: Guide for workplaces. Structure verified 2026-06-21.
1. Mobile plant on this site
No mobile plant selected yet.
2. Identified people–plant interactions and risks
Select the mobile plant in use to populate this section.
3. Controls (hierarchy of controls)
Isolate Physical separation (barriers / bollards): Separate pedestrians from mobile plant with physical barriers, bollards, rails or kerbs so people cannot enter the plant's path.
Isolate Designated pedestrian walkways: Provide clearly marked, dedicated walkways that keep pedestrians separated from vehicle routes, with controlled crossing points.
Administrative Speed limits: Set and enforce site speed limits for mobile plant, lower in pedestrian and loading areas.
Administrative Signage and line marking: Use signage, line marking and floor markings to identify walkways, crossings, vehicle routes, exclusion zones and give-way points.
PPE High-visibility clothing (PPE): Require high-visibility clothing for anyone on foot in areas where mobile plant operates, as a last line of defence after higher-order controls.
4. Responsibilities
Site manager / supervisor is responsible for implementing, communicating and maintaining this traffic management plan.
All workers, contractors and visitors must follow the designated routes, walkways, exclusion zones, speed limits and signage on this plan.
Mobile plant operators must hold the required licence or competency and complete a pre-start check before operating.
Everyone on site is to be inducted into the site traffic rules before entering areas where mobile plant operates.
5. Review
This plan is to be reviewed regularly, and whenever the plant, layout or work changes, a control fails, or an incident or near-miss occurs.
Notes
Use the hierarchy of controls: first try to eliminate people and mobile plant sharing the same space, then physically separate them, before relying on administrative controls such as signage, or on high-visibility PPE.
A traffic management plan should be drawn up with a site diagram showing vehicle routes, pedestrian walkways, crossing points, exclusion zones, loading areas, parking and signage. Attach your site diagram to this plan.
Consult your workers, and any other duty holders who share the workplace, when preparing and reviewing this plan.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your duties with your WHS regulator (WorkSafe Victoria in Victoria; the relevant state, territory or Commonwealth regulator elsewhere).
Structure verified as at 2026-06-21. Sources: model WHS Act s 19; model WHS Regulations (powered mobile plant); Safe Work Australia, Traffic management: Guide for workplaces. This is general information, not legal advice.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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