Medical Guidelines for the Traffic Controller Accreditation Scheme#
Information for the Health Professional completing the medical certification A traffic controller is responsible for controlling traffic at road worksites and other events where a road closure or part closure is necessary. Traffic around road worksites can be hazardous and the role of a traffic controller is to ensure a safe environment for road workers and the general public. Therefore, to competently and safely perform the role of a traffic controller, the applicant must meet the following medical fitness and suitability criteria.
Eyesight#
A traffic controller must be able to:
- distinguish a vehicle at a distance of approximately 150 metres
- have visual acuity of 6/12 which would allow a vehicle number plate to be read at a distance of up to 20 metres on a clear day (character size on number plate 77 mm x 12 mm)
- have reasonable judgement of speed and distances so that the traffic controller can decide when to exit the path of an oncoming vehicle that fails to stop or slow down as directed
- distinguish a red coloured disc (of 450 mm diameter) from a yellow coloured disc (of 450 mm diameter) at a distance of 250 metres on a clear day.
Any visual defect which has not been rectified by the use of corrective lenses or by surgery should be taken into account by the Doctor/Optometrist. If the person has mild colour blindness, this should not be a problem for performing traffic control duties, providing the person can pass the Ishihara colour test.
Hearing/Speech#
A traffic controller must be able to:
- hear a supervisor’s instructions, vehicle warning devices and emergency vehicle sirens above normal traffic noise
- differentiate noises emanating from the left side, right side and behind the traffic controller
- have sufficient hearing to be able to communicate with other road workers via portable communication equipment (such as two way radio).
Mobility, Endurance and Concentration#
A traffic controller must be capable of:
- quickly moving out of the path of an approaching vehicle that does not stop or slow down as directed
- give approved traffic control signals whilst standing and holding a ‘STOP/SLOW’ bat for periods of up to two hours without a break
- setting up and removing temporary road signage at and around a road worksite
- concentrating on the tasks at hand for up to two hours without a break.