3Medical fitness and suitability requirements#
Traffic controllers interact with police, motorists, and other road workers in dynamic and high-risk road environments. Accordingly, traffic controllers are required to meet the medical fitness and 'suitable character' requirements to be accredited and to retain that accreditation.
Traffic controllers must not attempt to perform any traffic controller duties if they are not medically fit to perform the role. When applying for accreditation, the traffic controller must declare their medical fitness to perform the role and provide any relevant medical certificates. The onus is then on the traffic controller to self-assess that they meet the medical fitness criteria throughout the period of accreditation. If, despite the applicant's declaration of suitability, the department has any doubt about the person's medical fitness, competence and/or suitability, the department can require the person to produce a medical certificate, or other verifying documentation, to support their application for accreditation. If the department receives information that a traffic controller is not medically fit, competent, or otherwise suitable to be a traffic controller, the department may require the person to produce a medical certificate, or other verifying documentation or undertake an assessment, to support their ongoing accreditation. At any stage, the traffic controller can be asked to show cause as to why they should not lose the accreditation.
3.1Eyesight#
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 registration plate number to be read at a distance of up to 20 metres on a clear day
- be able to distinguish a red coloured disc from a yellow coloured disc (of 450 mm diameter) at a distance of 250 metres on a clear day, and
- have reasonable judgement of speed and distance, 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.
While performing traffic control duties, a traffic controller must be able to identify vehicle characteristics and provide information about vehicle colour, size and/or the registration plate number. If the traffic controller requires a visual aid to meet the visibility standards for entry in the Scheme (such as spectacles or contact lenses), the person must wear these aids while performing traffic control duties.
3.2Hearing and speech#
A traffic controller must:
- be able to hear a supervisor's instructions, vehicle warning devices and emergency vehicle sirens above normal traffic noise
- be able to differentiate noises emanating from either side and behind the traffic controller, and
- have sufficient hearing and vocal skills to be able to communicate with other traffic controllers and road workers directly and via portable communication equipment.
If the traffic controller requires a hearing aid to meet hearing standards for entry in the Scheme, the person must wear these aids while performing traffic control duties.
3.3Mobility, endurance, and concentration#
A traffic controller must be capable of:
- moving quickly out of the path of an approaching vehicle that does not stop or slow down as directed
- giving approved traffic control signals while standing and holding a STOP / SLOW bat for periods of up to two continuous hours
- loading and unloading traffic signs and other equipment from traffic control vehicles and trailers
- setting up and removing temporary road signage at and around road worksites, and
- concentrating and maintaining focus for entire periods between rest breaks.
3.4Learning, literacy, and numeracy skills#
A traffic controller must have an appropriate level of learning, literacy, and numeracy skills sufficient to competently undertake the role (such as the ability to accurately interpret and report vehicle and road user information and to complete traffic incident reports).
3.5Character and suitability#
A traffic controller must:
- be of good character and be a suitable person to be entrusted to exercise their authority in an honest, responsible and safety-conscious manner, and
- be of suitable temperament and disposition to act appropriately, professionally, and assertively in all circumstances.
See also Section 7 Review of a traffic controller's accreditation.