Finally, you’re applying controls for road traffic in close proximity to the worksite. Road authorities have not approved road closure. Consider the Hierarchy of Controls.

Out of the following measures, which should you give highest priority to?

]]>

Hierarchy of Controls

Control level

Description

Examples

1. Elimination

Completely removing the hazard so that it is not there

  • Power switched off
  • Redesign
  • Road closure

2. Substitution

Replacing hazardous objects or situations with less hazardous ones

  • Smaller or different plant
  • Traffic lights instead of traffic controllers

3. Isolation

Keeping hazardous objects or situations away from people

  • Road safety barriers
  • Barricaded no go zones

4. Engineering

Installing or using additional machinery to make hazards safer

  • Machine guards
  • Safety pins
  • Height limiters
  • Sensors

5. Administration

Establishing procedures that highlight potential risks as well as the above measures

  • Safety briefings
  • Signage
  • Risk assessments
  • SWMS

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Only to be used as a ‘last line of defence’. Use PPE to protect workers if the above measures fail, or as a temporary control until other measures are in place.

  • Gloves
  • Hard hats
  • Hi-vis clothing

7. Any combination of 2–5 options

]]> Installing speed reduction signs to slow the traffic

]]> Giving hi-vis vests to workers on site

]]> Using traffic cones to delineate the worksite

]]> Installing temporary road safety barriers between works and traffic

]]> Correct.

]]> Incorrect.

]]> Failed.

]]> Not quite. Safety barriers isolate the hazard from traffic, which is the most effective available measure. Cones and signs will only be administrative. While PPE such as hi-vis vests make workers visible to traffic, this should only be with other measures and as a ‘last line of defence’.

]]> That’s right. Safety barriers isolate the hazard from traffic, which is the most effective available measure. Cones and signs will only be administrative. While PPE such as hi-vis vests make workers visible to traffic, this should only be with other measures and as a ‘last line of defence’.

]]>