Traffic management fundamentals audit

– guide

Approved: October 2022

Postal address: Locked Bag 100 East Perth WA 6892

Telephone: 1300 307 877
safety@dmirs.wa.gov.au
www.dmirs.wa.gov.au
Table of contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2

1 Systems ................................................................................................................................. 4

2 Vehicles ............................................................................................................................... 13

3 People .................................................................................................................................. 16

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 1 of 17

Introduction
This audit was updated in October 2022 to align with the Work Health and Safety legislation.
Mining operations are encouraged to use this audit to assess their business practices, and
identify areas for improvement, to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces.
The scope of the ‘traffic management fundamentals’ audit is designed to provide an efficient
assessment of important traffic management fundamentals and to complement the suite of four
‘mobile equipment’ audits covering traffic management safety at mining operations.
The four ‘traffic management and mobile equipment’ audits are designed to cover in detail
operating standards associated with the management of traffic and mobile equipment in mine
operations. The four ‘traffic management and mobile equipment’ audits are:
• Part 1: Traffic management
• Part 2: Mining operations and mobile equipment selection
• Part 3: Surface and underground operations with site deliveries
• Part 4: Management of mobile equipment maintenance
The purpose of this audit is to assist with:
• Completing an assessment on a site in one day;
• Quickly evaluating a site’s compliance in regard to minimum traffic management standards;
• Guiding the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) on the priority for
conducting a more detailed assessment using the other ‘traffic management and mobile
equipment’ audits;
• Providing a basic traffic management audit for smaller sites with a low risk profile for traffic
management.
The audit is divided into sections addressing:
1. Safe systems for traffic management (Systems)
2. Safe vehicles (Vehicles)
3. Ensuring workers are competent and fit for work (People).
Autonomous equipment operations are not covered in any of the above audits. Refer to the
Code of practice: Safe mobile autonomous mining in Western Australia for further guidance.
Where the term “verify” is used in the ‘Intent’ of an audit point, it implies there is a regulatory
requirement for compliance with the standard.
Where the term “ensure” is used, there is no mandatory requirement for compliance but the
standard sets out a recommended practice, which, if followed, should minimise the risk of
incidents.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 2 of 17

List of abbreviations
AS Australian Standard
AS/NZS Australian and New Zealand Standard
HME Heavy mobile equipment
LV Light vehicle(s)
OEM Original equipment manufacturer
r. Regulation of the WHS(M)R
rr. Regulations of the WHS(M)R
ROM Run of mine
s. Section of the WHSA
ss. Sections of the WHSA
WHSA Work Health and Safety Act 2020
WHS(M)R Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022

Supporting documentation
• Selected mining safety bulletins, mines safety significant incident reports, and safety alerts
from:
– Mines safety alerts, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Western
Australia
– Safety notices, Resources Safety & Health Queensland
– Safety alerts and bulletins, New South Wales Resources Regulator)
• Australian and other standards
– AS 1742.2 Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control devices for
general use
– AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control
purposes – Retroreflective sheeting
• Western Australia Main Roads “Road and Traffic Engineering Standards”
• Austroads
– Guide to Road Design
– Guide to Road Safety
• Unsealed Roads Manual: Australian Road Research Board 2020
• Design of Surface Mine Haul Roads (US Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines)
information circular 8758, 1977:1-50
• Haul Road Inspection handbook (US Mine Safety and Health Administration)

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 3 of 17

1 Systems
To ensure there are safe systems for traffic management.

Point Standard Guideline

1.1 The operation has prepared Intent:

and approved a traffic
To verify that rules have been developed for the safety
management system that
of all vehicles, operators and pedestrians at the mine
includes policy(ies), plan(s),
(based on a risk assessment).
procedures and checklists etc.
The traffic management system or associated
documentation should:
• be current and identify periods for review
• have responsibilities clearly defined
• include fitness for work requirements
• include road design standards
• include driving rules
• include communication procedures
• include traffic plans / schematics
• include inspection checklists
• include the management of restricted areas
• include driving to off-site locations including off-site
remote locations (journey management)
• include standards for escorting vehicles on site
• be regularly monitored and audited
• include a change management process for any
identified defects, and any document and traffic
change.

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management plan documentation. If
a substantial proportion of the above is available then
compliance may be met subject to a commitment to
comply with the audit recommendations.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631 and
schedule 19 Clause 4.

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 Point Standard Guideline

1.2 The traffic management plan Intent:

sets out the standard design
To verify that road design requirements are developed
requirements for mine roads,
for the safe operation of vehicles within the mine.
open pit roads and other
Road design standards should include;
vehicle operating areas within
• intersections
the mine.
• road widths
• gradients, camber, vertical and horizontal
alignment
• line of sight stopping distances
• HME & LV separation
• pedestrian separation and crossings
• parking areas
• windrows for edge protection
• signage
• guideposts / delineation
• changes in operating conditions
• blind spots
• visibility issues related to dust, haze etc
• externally controlled plant
• communications

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management plan documentation.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.
Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631 and
schedule 19 Clause 4.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 5 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.3 The traffic management Intent:

system sets out the design
To verify that requirements are developed for the
requirements and standards
signage and devices to be used for the control and
for traffic signage, guideposts
safe operation of all vehicles at the mine.
and other traffic control
Considerations should include:
devices within all areas of the
• Australian Standards
mine.
• height
• night time conditions
• signage clutter
• control of customised signs

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management plan documentation.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631 and
schedule 19 Clause 4.

AS 1742.2 Manual of uniform traffic control

devices – Traffic control devices for general use, and
AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 Retroreflective materials and
devices for road traffic control purposes –
Retroreflective sheeting.

1.4 The traffic management plan Intent:

includes a risk assessment to
To verify that speed limits are risk assessed, safe,
identify adequate speed
consistent, practical and relevant.
controls. Speed limit variances
are limited, controlled and Personnel:
appropriate for the prevailing Senior manager(s)
road conditions and pedestrian
Method:
hazards.
Review the traffic management plan documentation for
speed controls.
Considerations should include:
• a speed limit zone map that identifies the speed
variances.
• the number of speed limits being limited to three or
four.
• the speed limits utilised are in multiples of 10 km/h.
• signage is installed on the left hand side as a
minimum, and preferentially on both sides of the
road.
• repeater signs are installed.

Inspect risk assessment documents on speed controls.

Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 6 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.5 Adequate windrows/bunds are Intent:

provided on the outer edge of
To verify that adequate structures are constructed or
each road in the open pit
installed to prevent vehicles leaving the road.
adjacent to a bank or steep
slope. Personnel:
In other areas a risk Senior manager(s)
assessment should assess the
Method:
need for a windrow or other
effective control. Inspect the traffic management plan and roads. The
size of windrows should be determined by risk
analysis.

Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631 and
mines safety significant incident report 277.

1.6 Parking areas are designed Intent:

and constructed to an
To verify that parking areas have been designed and
appropriate standard.
constructed to an appropriate standard.
The standards should consider;
• gradients
• capacity
• traffic flow
• segregation for pedestrians
• segregation of HME /LV
• shared zones
• segregation for buses
• driving out forwards
• signage
• driver change outs

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect the vehicle parking areas.
View a plan of the parking design.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617 and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 7 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.7 Pedestrian controls are Intent:

designed and provided in all
To verify that pedestrian controls including walkways
operational areas where
are provided to avoid pedestrians being hit by vehicles.
vehicles are present.
The considerations include:
• Hi-visibility clothing
• suitable walkways
• protection of walkways
• appropriate separation from vehicles
• suitable steps and handrails
• signage crossing areas

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect high pedestrian traffic areas on the site.
Confirm whether a pedestrian network of walkways is
provided.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

1.8 The traffic management plan Intent:

sets out the requirement for
To verify that the traffic management plan outlines the
the standard of communication
requirements for the provision and usage of
and equipment to be utilised in
communication devices within mobile equipment
mobile equipment and in
operational areas.
pedestrian interface areas.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management plan documentation.
Confirm two-way radio communication is maintained
and available within vehicles and carried by workers
working on foot in mobile equipment areas.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 8 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.9 Measures are implemented at Intent:

all mine access points for
To verify the existence of a means to prevent
preventing inadvertent access
inadvertent access of unauthorised persons into the
and controlling contractors,
mine.
customers and visitors to site.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect the mine access road signage and control
measures utilised to restrict access. Mines in close
proximity to local communities or where there is a
likelihood of the public inadvertently accessing the
mine operations should provide security fences, gates
and/or earth bunding to restrict access.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

1.10 The traffic management Intent:

system sets out the design
To verify that adequate lighting is provided within the
requirements for the standard
mine. Particular consideration needs to be given to:
of lighting for all low light/ night
• pedestrian and parking facilities
operations.
Standards include road • intersections
markings and clear zones free • dumping areas
from hazards on each side of • excavation areas
the road. • areas of high activity

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management system documentation
to identify lighting standards.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 9 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.11 A maintenance programme Intent:

has been established for the
To verify that sealed and unsealed roads are
inspection, repair and
maintained in a safe condition and systems are in
resurfacing of all sealed and
place to ensure road maintenance activities are carried
unsealed roads. The
out in a safe manner. Considerations should include:
maintenance activities are
• temporary road works
managed in a safe manner.
• pedestrians on the roadways installing or cleaning
guideposts or signage
• control of single lane roads
• vegetation growth obscuring
signage/guideposts/traffic
• repair of roads affected by adverse weather
• providing adequate drainage

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect the mine haul roads and other vehicle
operating areas. Confirm roads are regularly inspected
for damage, instability, and potential collapse, etc.
Confirm road maintenance equipment is available and
roads are maintained in a safe condition.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631, and mines safety

significant incident report 121.

1.12 Suitable protection or Intent:

segregation is in place at every
To verify that adequate protection is provided to
vehicle interface with
prevent damage to the installed infrastructure in
infrastructure and ground level
vehicle access areas.
hazards such as covered
Also to prevent vehicle access to hazardous
sumps, soak wells, and drains
installations such as covered soak wells, sumps, and
not designed to support any
drains where the cover is not designed to support any
vehicle.
vehicle.
The following should also be considered:
• restricted height areas
• falling object protection

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect buildings, tanks, hydrants, lighting towers,
covered drains, soak wells and sumps etc.
Confirm bollard devices or segregation barriers are
installed.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 10 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

1.13 Movement around high voltage Intent:

installations and overhead
To verify that adequate controls are provided to
power line corridors
prevent vehicles contacting, or coming too close to,
is restricted and controlled to
high voltage equipment and overhead power lines.
prevent inadvertent contact by
High voltage installations and overhead power line
mobile plant.
corridors must be identified, signposted / delineated
and access restricted to prevent inadvertent contact by
mobile plant.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect the high voltage areas and power line
corridors. Confirm that high voltage installations are
located away from roadways and other vehicle
operating areas. Verify the installation of marker
bollards, height clearance signage or warning signage
at each vehicle and power line crossing and/or high
voltage installation access point.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36,

166A, 617 and 631 and mining safety bulletin 51.

1.14 There is standard procedure Intent:

and design for loading and
To verify that loading and dumping operations are
dumping operations at ROMs,
carried out in a safe and consistent manner.
stockpiles and waste dumps.
Procedures and controls should include:
• the size and configuration of the benches, digging,
tipping and stockpile areas
• bench and stockpile height
• the segregation of HVs, LVs and pedestrians
• vehicle control and flow
• geotechnical considerations
• control of dumping limits
• appropriate signage
• positive communications

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Sight procedure.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

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 Point Standard Guideline

1.15 Resources are available and Intent:

used for dust suppression on
To verify that driver visibility is maintained by managing
unsealed roads.
and suppressing dust on operational roads.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect the mine haul roads.
Confirm whether there is adequate means and
equipment available for dust suppression, which is
being utilised to minimise dust creation.
Confirm that there is a maintenance program in place.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

1.16 The traffic management Intent:

system considers significant
To verify that procedures and controls take into
environmental factors.
account:
• general wet weather conditions
• strong winds
• severe weather events e.g. cyclones and electrical
storms
• lightning
• glare and sunstrike
• fog/poor visibility

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Sight procedure/controls (e.g. run culverts and flood
ways).
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS A s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631 and mining safety bulletin 183.

1.17 Evidence that journey Intent:

management plans are in
To verify that the mine has an effective journey
place and are being applied.
management plan in place.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Sight procedure/controls.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 12 of 17

2 Vehicles
To ensure vehicles are safe and fit for purpose.

Point Standard Guideline

2.1 There is a register of mobile Intent:

equipment, including
To verify that all the relevant equipment details are
permanent contractor’s
readily available.
equipment and a system to
Considerations include:
manage the condition and
• register is current
maintenance of internal and
itinerant mobile equipment on • equipment is uniquely identifiable
the mine site.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
View the register of mobile equipment. Check that all
relevant mobile plant is included.

Refer to WHSA s.21 and WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631

and schedule 19 clause 4.

2.2 The mobile equipment is fit for Intent:

purpose i.e. selected
To verify that all vehicles operating at the mine are fit
according to the limitations
for purpose.
imposed by the site operating
conditions. The equipment is
Vehicle considerations include:
operated within its design
capacity. A system to identify • selection process for vehicles
hazards associated with • compatible with the site conditions
mobile equipment is in place. • used within vehicle design specifications
Any modifications to vehicles • risk assessment processes are in place for all
are designed by a competent mobile equipment
person. • OEM manuals are accessible

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
View a selection of documents, consider road widths,
gradients, curves, braking characteristics, compaction
rates.
Consider the configuration of primary haulage units,
water trucks, service trucks, etc. which may not always
be suitable for the operating conditions.
Interview operations and engineering management.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.21 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 13 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

2.3 Vehicle pre-start checks are Intent:

carried out on all vehicles prior
To verify vehicle operators examine and confirm the
to use. (If this is not in place an
vehicle is safe for use prior to operation.
adequate risk assessment
Considerations include:
should identify the frequency
• braking systems
of pre-start checks). The
operating procedures and • steering systems
machinery pre-start checks • lighting, flashing lights and indicators
prohibit the use of mobile • seating and seatbelts
equipment in a mine where • audible warning signals
defective equipment presents • tyre condition
an unacceptable risk (e.g. • equipment identification numbers for adequate
brakes, steering, warning positive communications
signal, lights or seat belts are
not in working order). Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
View procedures and vehicle prestart sheets.
For the standard to be met the checking process must
include a means of reporting defects to management
and a stand down category for the failure of critical
systems i.e. category A faults documented for
stoppage.

Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.21 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631.

2.4 There is an effective Intent:

preventative maintenance
To verify that mobile equipment is maintained in a safe
program for mobile equipment
operating condition and in line with OEM requirements.
which is carried out at
predetermined intervals of time Personnel:
or distance. Senior manager(s)
Method:
View written program, maintenance records and
interview maintenance workers.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 14 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

2.5 Vehicle critical systems (e.g. Intent:

braking and steering) are
To verify that the critical systems (e.g. brake and
inspected, maintained,
steering components) will function as designed.
repaired or replaced in
accordance with the Personnel:
manufacturer’s Senior manager(s)
recommendations.
Method:
View manufacturer’s service documents and
equipment service records to verify that components
are checked and maintained to the required standard.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.21 and WHS(M)R rr. 617 and 631,

mining safety bulletin No. 84, and mines safety
significant incident report No. 128.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 15 of 17

3 People
To ensure workers are competent and fit for work.

Point Standard Guideline

3.1 There is a system in place to Intent:

ensure each vehicle driver is
To verify that mobile equipment operations are carried
trained and competent for
out in a safe and consistent manner through the
each type of vehicle they use.
training and assessment of operators for their
competency.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Sight training matrix and a sample of theory and
practical vehicle operator assessments to confirm
operators are being assessed for competency.

Refer to WHSA s.19 and WHS(M)R rr. 39 and 617 and

631.

3.2 The traffic management plan Intent:

sets out the requirements for
To verify that the traffic management plan addresses
managing human and
operator suitability and fitness for work for operating
organisational factors and
vehicles.
fitness for work requirements.
Considerations include:
• pre-employment medicals
• random and ‘for cause’ drug and alcohol testing
• fatigue
• distractions
• psychosocial factors

Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the traffic management plan documentation.
Confirm that pre-employment standards are
established covering past experience, medical fitness
and licence requirements.
Identify whether the plan defines standards for
monitoring and testing for drugs; alcohol; fatigue and
other worker safety factors.
Verify if controls are observed and adequate.

Refer to WHSA s.19 and WHS(M)R rr. 617, 631, 640

and 641.

Traffic management fundamentals audit – guide Page 16 of 17

 Point Standard Guideline

3.3 Driver monitoring for fatigue is Intent:

undertaken.
To verify that a system is in place to monitor the fatigue
of workers operating mobile equipment.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Review the monitoring system.
Review the results of this monitoring and subsequent
actions.

Refer to WHSA s.19 and WHS(M)R rr. 34, 35, 36, 617
and 631

3.4 Road standards and other Intent:

traffic management controls
To verify that road standards and other traffic
are inspected on a shift and/or
management controls are checked and maintained in a
daily basis (as applicable).
safe condition on a regular basis.
Personnel:
Senior manager(s)
Method:
Inspect road standards and other traffic management
controls (such as aspects addressed in audit point 1.1),
and validate findings against those conducted by the
shift supervisor and against daily inspection reports.
Ensure appropriate actions are taken, in a timely
manner, where required.

Refer to WHSA s.20 and WHS(M)R rr. 617, 631 and

634A.

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