Heavy equipment, pedestrians, and vehicles share the same space on a construction site. Here is how to manage worksite traffic and keep a Canadian construction zone safe.
A construction site is a moving maze of heavy equipment, pedestrians, and vehicles, all governed by provincial regulations. Worksite traffic management is what keeps that maze from producing an incident. Between 2010 and 2019, there were over 2,600 work-related fatalities in Canada's construction industry, and a considerable share of those were related to traffic. That makes traffic management a top priority on any site.
Build a traffic management plan
Before anyone hands out hard hats and cones, build a traffic management plan that complies with occupational health and safety regulations. It rests on three steps.
- Identify potential hazards: assess the site layout and identify high-traffic areas, blind spots, and pinch points.
- Establish traffic routes: clearly define separate vehicle and pedestrian routes, accounting for site-specific challenges such as weather and terrain.
- Implement control measures: apply speed limits, barriers, and signage. There is no such thing as too much caution where traffic and people mix.
Training and communication
A plan only works if every worker understands it. Conduct regular training sessions to familiarize employees with the traffic management plan and why it matters, and foster a culture where workers feel comfortable reporting hazards and suggesting improvements. Workers who direct traffic also need the province-specific traffic control person training for the jurisdiction they work in.
A traffic management success story
Traffic management done right pays off. On one large-scale project in Alberta, a construction company implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan and involved employees in building it. By following best practices, the company achieved a meaningful reduction in traffic-related incidents compared with similar projects.
Technology and innovation
Technology can sharpen traffic management on a construction site. Smart barriers with sensors can detect approaching vehicles and alert workers and drivers to a potential collision. GPS tracking can monitor vehicle movement and reveal bottlenecks. Automated flagging devices can control traffic flow and reduce the exposure of human flaggers.
Worksite traffic management is a crucial part of construction safety. By implementing best practices, training the crew, and using the right technology, you can sharply reduce the risk of an incident on your site.
On-Track Safety offers traffic control training and guidance on building a worksite traffic management plan that holds up to provincial OHS requirements.