2Functions and responsibilities#

2.1Application of the TCASAP (Target Group)#

The Approved Procedure applies to all traffic controllers employed or otherwise, engaged in both the private and public sector. It also applies to employers of traffic controllers. The Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015 requires employers of traffic controllers to ensure traffic controllers comply with this Approved Procedure and Part 3 of the Queensland MUTCD. The following individuals are exempt:

authorised officers – as defined in Chapter 3 of the Act as follows – police officers, officers and employees of the public service as appointed by the Chief Executive, or other persons described under a regulation
escort vehicle drivers accredited under Part 2 of the Regulation
departmental school crossing supervisors
anyone who has been directed by a police officer to assist police to direct or divert traffic
State Emergency Service members working in an emergency or special situation authorised under Disaster Management Act 2003 (Qld) provisions
authorised officers under the Ambulance Service Act 1991 (Qld)
authorised officers under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (Qld) including rural fire brigade volunteers conducting fire brigade duties
anyone employed or volunteering as car park attendants who direct or divert traffic within a car park, and
anyone controlling traffic outside of Queensland.

2.2Conditions of accreditation#

The Regulation provides that traffic controllers must comply with the conditions of their accreditation.

A traffic controller must operate at the highest professional and safety standards in accordance with this Approved Procedure and work health and safety laws.
To maintain traffic controller accreditation, a person must comply with any specific conditions of approval specified by the Chief Executive in connection with their accreditation.
A traffic controller must renew their accreditation by the expiry date after having completed an approved traffic controller training course delivered by a department approved training provider.
Traffic controllers are not authorised to undertake any on-site traffic controlling tasks unless they hold a valid accreditation as a traffic controller.
A traffic controller must always keep their traffic controller’s accreditation authority document with them on their person, indicating their accreditation details.
Traffic controllers may only perform traffic control duties if they meet the physical and medical prerequisites for accreditation and are not suffering from fatigue, or any other condition that could impair their ability to perform their duties.

There is an onus on all employers of traffic controllers to ensure that their traffic controllers comply with their conditions of accreditation. Employers have an obligation to monitor traffic controllers at the worksite.

2.3Function of a traffic controller#

Section 51 of the Regulation provides that the function of a traffic controller is to direct traffic in a way stated in the Queensland MUTCD and this Approved Procedure. Traffic controller functions include the following activities:

STOP / SLOW traffic control duties on a roadway using a STOP / SLOW bat or a PTCD
traffic control duties on a footpath
implementing and removing signs and devices that are directly related to the traffic controller’s operations
supervision of a traffic controller in training in accordance with this Approved Procedure
communication and reporting of incidents and road users who fail to follow directions, while at the road worksite, and
monitoring of queue length.

2.4Responsibilities of a traffic controller#

Traffic controllers not only have a very important safety role on a worksite; they are also the front-line representatives of their organisation and conduct an important public relations role when interacting with road users. Road worksites are particularly hazardous in comparison to normal road operations. Traffic controllers protect road workers and road users and, as such, the training, skills, and capability of traffic controllers are critical to the effective operation of worksites where they are engaged. Traffic controllers are usually engaged when signs and devices for roadworks and events are considered insufficient to provide traffic control for safety, public convenience and efficient job control and management.

2.5Professionalism#

Traffic controllers must act professionally when exercising their authority and in their dealings with road users and other road workers.

Being professional entails:

being polite and courteous at all times when interacting with road users and road workers
being professional in their appearance and demeanour as an accredited person, and as a front-line representative at the worksite and of their employer
being accurate, assertive, confident, and positive in giving directions to road users
giving definite and clear signals when using a hand-held STOP / SLOW bat, hand signals, or PTCD, and
not allowing themselves to be distracted while undertaking operational STOP / SLOW traffic control duties (such as taking phone calls or using mobile phone devices).

2.6Drugs and alcohol#

Traffic controllers must not perform their duties while adversely affected by drugs or other medication causing functional impairment.

A traffic controller must:

maintain a 'zero per cent' blood alcohol concentration, while performing traffic control duties
not perform traffic control duties while adversely affected by an illegal drug
not perform traffic control duties while adversely affected by medication causing impairment
not attempt to perform traffic control duties while suffering fatigue associated with heat exhaustion or other causes, and
participate in on-site drug or alcohol testing programs when requested to do so at the worksite or by their employer.

2.7Familiarity with work health and safety laws#

Traffic controllers, their employers and site supervisors have a shared responsibility for the health and safety of workers at road work zones and should be familiar with their rights and obligations under work health and safety laws.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) (WHS Act) sets out the duties and responsibilities placed on managers, supervisors, and workers at a workplace. The WHS Act places a primary health and safety duty on the business owner or employer – referred to in the WHS Act as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).

The PCBU has a duty, under the WHS Act and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking.

The Traffic management for construction or maintenance work Code of Practice 2008 (the Code) is an approved code of practice under Section 274 of the WHS Act. The Code was developed in consultation with the department.

Traffic controllers, their employers and site supervisors should be familiar with the Code. It gives practical advice and guidance on how to manage workplace health and safety risks posed by traffic to workers and other persons while construction or maintenance work is occurring on, or adjacent to roads.

2.8Monitoring of traffic controllers by employers / site supervisors#

Traffic controller employers and site supervisors have an obligation to monitor traffic control stations closely. They must ensure that the traffic controllers are well supported and are adequately equipped for the prevailing site conditions.

Traffic controller employers must ensure that traffic controllers are being provided with access to toilet facilities and that there are safe and adequate areas nearby to undertake breaks (for example, ample shaded areas on hot days).

Traffic controller employers must ensure that there are sufficient traffic controllers available at the site, to enable the traffic controller to take breaks from traffic control duties.

Traffic controllers must be made aware of any hazardous operations at the site, so that traffic control stations are not placed nearby.

No traffic controller is to perform STOP / SLOW traffic control duties in close proximity to hot asphalt operations, or to be placed in a situation that compromises their safety.

2.9Breaks from traffic control duties#

Where required to control traffic for more than two hours, traffic controllers must be relieved from their duty after not more than two hours for a period of rest or 'other duties' of at least 15 minutes.

'Other duties' do not include operation of a STOP / SLOW bat or a PTCD to control traffic, or any duties involving:

standing still in one position, or
continuing to control traffic in another manner (for example, be the lead traffic controller at an intersection under control and be instructing the other traffic controllers when to send or hold).

The intent of the 15-minute break from traffic control duties, is to reduce the likelihood of traffic controller error by giving the traffic controller:

a physical break from controlling traffic using a STOP / SLOW bat or a PTCD (not from all traffic controller site duties), and
a mental break from perpetual traffic controlling activity. This is particularly beneficial in multilane traffic control and heavy traffic volume situations.

2.10On-site supervision of traffic controller in training#

A traffic controller in training is a person who has successfully completed the theory component of the approved traffic controller training course, prior to attending a worksite to obtain practical experience. The role of a traffic controller in training is to gain practical experience in the workplace under direction, in order to complete the practical experience component of the training course. A traffic controller in training is only authorised to control traffic while under the direct and close supervision of a traffic controller. The supervising traffic controller must be able to intervene should the trainee have questions requiring immediate responses, or should other intervention be required. The supervising traffic controller is responsible for:

monitoring the competency of the traffic controller in training, and
stepping in (or having someone on-site who can step in immediately) to replace the traffic controller in training if the role is not being performed competently.

When supervising a traffic controller in training, the supervising traffic controller must not:

devote attention to other tasks
supervise more than one traffic controller in training at the same time, or
ask the traffic controller in training to do anything that is outside the scope of the training agreement between the RTO and the worksite manager, or between the RTO and the registered traffic management organisation.

When a traffic controller in training is acquiring experience in using the STOP / SLOW bat in live traffic situations, the supervising traffic controller must stand within three metres of the trainee. When a traffic controller in training is acquiring experience or demonstrating competency in PTCDs in live traffic situations, the supervising traffic controller is required to be present (in close proximity) and be able to intervene if required.