Key takeaways
- Work on or next to a road used by traffic is high-risk construction work, so a SWMS is required before traffic control work starts.
- A traffic control SWMS must identify the high-risk work, the hazards and risks, the control measures, and how those controls will be put in place, monitored and reviewed.
- A good SWMS is site-specific and points to the TGS, rather than repeating generic statements that could apply to any job.
- Every worker should read, understand and sign the SWMS before starting, and work must stop if the controls aren't being followed.
- Review and re-sign the SWMS when the work, site conditions or controls change, or after an incident or near miss.
A SWMS for traffic control is a safe work method statement that sets out the high-risk construction work, its hazards and risks, the controls, and how those controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed. Because work on or next to a road used by traffic is high-risk construction work, a SWMS is required before traffic control work starts.
This article explains what a traffic control SWMS must include, the hazards it should cover, how it links with the traffic guidance scheme, and how to keep it alive on site rather than in a folder. There's a free checklist near the end you can use to review your own SWMS. It's general information, not legal or safety advice: check current requirements with the WHS regulator in your state.
When a SWMS is required for traffic control
Under the harmonised WHS laws, high-risk construction work includes work carried out on or adjacent to a road or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians. Almost every traffic control job falls into this category, from a short shoulder closure to a night-time lane closure on a motorway.
That means:
- A SWMS must be prepared before the high-risk work starts.
- The work must be done in accordance with the SWMS.
- If the SWMS isn't being followed, the work must stop (or stop as soon as it's safe to do so) until it can be done in line with the SWMS or the SWMS is revised.
- The principal contractor on a construction project must obtain the SWMS before the work begins.
Safe Work Australia publishes model guidance on SWMS and on traffic management in construction. Each state's regulator, such as SafeWork NSW or WorkSafe Queensland, administers its own version of the laws, so check the current requirements with yours.
What a traffic control SWMS must include
At its core, a SWMS must:
- Identify the high-risk construction work (for example, traffic control on or next to a road used by traffic).
- Specify the hazards and risks arising from that work.
- Describe the control measures to be used.
- Describe how the controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed.
It also needs to be written in a way that's easy to follow for the people who'll use it. That means plain language, short steps, and consideration of crew members who speak English as a second language.
In practice, a usable traffic control SWMS also records:
- The company name, the principal contractor and the project or site.
- Who prepared it, the date, and the version number.
- The job steps in the order they happen.
- The TGS reference that applies, and the standard it was designed to.
- Required qualifications (for example, the right traffic control card for the state), licences and inductions.
- Required plant, equipment and PPE.
- Emergency procedures and contacts.
- Worker sign-on: name, signature and date, confirming each person has read and understood it.
Hazards a traffic control SWMS should cover
A generic SWMS that says "be careful of traffic" isn't good enough. The recurring hazards in traffic control are well known, and each needs a specific control. Our guide to traffic controller safety covers them in more depth.
| Hazard | Examples of risk | Examples of controls (most effective first) |
|---|---|---|
| Errant or speeding vehicles entering the work zone | Workers struck, vehicle crashes into plant | Close the road or detour where practicable; barriers or TMA as required by the TGS; temporary speed zone; advance warning per the TGS; escape routes; never turn your back to traffic |
| Reversing plant and trucks | Workers struck within the work area | Separate pedestrians from plant; spotters; reversing alarms and cameras; exclusion zones; radio communication |
| Setting up and packing down | Exposure while placing signs in live traffic | Install in the order drivers meet devices; work from the protected side; vehicle positioning per the TGS; TMA where required |
| Fatigue | Slow reactions, poor decisions, driving home tired | Rostered rest between shifts, breaks and rotation; fit-for-work check at pre-start |
| Heat and UV | Heat illness, sunburn | Shade, water, rest breaks, sun protection, adjusted work hours |
| Verbal or physical abuse from the public | Assault, distress | De-escalation training; never leave a controller isolated; reporting; police contact for threats |
| Poor visibility (night, rain, glare) | Drivers not seeing workers or devices | Lighting per the TGS; night-rated hi-vis; reflective devices; additional inspection |
| Pedestrians and cyclists | People entering the work zone or live traffic | Defined detours; barriers; controllers directing people safely |
| Manual handling | Back and shoulder injuries from signs, stands, barriers | Mechanical aids; team lifts; correct loading of vehicles |
| Working alone or remote | Delayed help after an incident | Radio or phone checks; check-in procedure; emergency plan |
These controls should follow the hierarchy of controls: eliminate the hazard where possible (close the road, detour traffic), separate workers from traffic (barriers, TMA), reduce speed, warn drivers, and use PPE as the last line of defence. A SWMS that relies only on hi-vis and "vigilance" won't stand up to scrutiny.
For more on two of the most common hazards, see our guides on fatigue management in traffic control and heat stress and traffic controllers.
How the SWMS and the TGS work together
The SWMS and the traffic guidance scheme are different documents with different jobs:
- The TGS shows where every sign, device, controller and vehicle goes for a specific layout. It must be prepared by a suitably qualified person using the applicable standard or guide.
- The SWMS explains the hazards and the safe method of work, and names the TGS as a key control.
Good practice is for the SWMS to reference the TGS by number and revision, and for the job steps to match the TGS: for example, "install signs in the order shown on TGS 03 Rev B, starting with the furthest advance warning sign". If the TGS changes, check whether the SWMS needs to change too. In NSW, check that both documents reflect the current standard the project specifies; Transport for NSW replaced the TCAWS manual with TS 05492:1.0 on 25 June 2026, and some contracts may still reference older documents.
Writing job steps crews will actually follow
The best traffic control SWMS documents are written by people who have done the job. Break the work into steps in the order they happen:
- Travel to site and park safely clear of traffic.
- Pre-start: confirm the TGS, SWMS, permits and crew qualifications; fit-for-work check; radio check; brief the crew.
- Inspect the site and compare it with the TGS.
- Install advance warning signs and devices in the order shown on the TGS.
- Install tapers, buffers and work area delineation.
- Inspect the set-up against the TGS and record it.
- Operate the site: controller duties, breaks and rotation, inspections at suitable intervals, communication with the work crew.
- Respond to changes, incidents and emergencies.
- Pack down in reverse order, uncover permanent signs, and inspect the site after removal.
- Record the end-of-shift inspection and any issues.
For each step, list the hazards and the controls. Keep the language plain. A crew member reading on a phone at 5 am should understand it in one pass.
Consultation, sign-on and keeping it current
A SWMS only works if the crew knows what's in it. Build these habits:
- Consult workers when preparing it. The people doing the work spot hazards the office misses.
- Brief it at every pre-start. Talk through site-specific hazards rather than just asking for a signature. Our traffic control pre-start checklist shows how.
- Get every worker to sign before starting, including people who join partway through the shift.
- Review and re-sign when things change: a new TGS, a change of work method, new hazards, after an incident or near miss, or when a worker raises a concern.
- Keep it available on site and stored with the job records so it can be produced if needed.
- Use version control so nobody is signing an outdated copy.
Free traffic control SWMS checklist
Use this to review your SWMS before work starts:
- High-risk construction work clearly identified (work on or next to a road used by traffic).
- Company, principal contractor, project and site named.
- Prepared by, date and version number recorded.
- TGS referenced by number and revision, and it matches the job.
- Job steps listed in the order they happen, from arrival to pack-down.
- Hazards listed for each step, including errant vehicles, reversing plant, set-up and pack-down, fatigue, heat, abuse, visibility, pedestrians, manual handling and working alone.
- Controls follow the hierarchy of controls, not just PPE.
- How controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed is described.
- Required qualifications, licences and inductions listed.
- Plant, equipment and PPE listed (day and night).
- Emergency procedures, contacts and nearest medical facility included.
- Incident reporting process included, including notifiable incidents and site preservation.
- Written in plain language crews can understand.
- Worker consultation recorded.
- Sign-on section for every worker, with name, signature and date.
- Review triggers stated (changes, incidents, worker concerns).
Common SWMS mistakes in traffic control
- Copy-paste SWMS with another company's name or another site's hazards left in.
- No link to the TGS, or a reference to a superseded revision.
- Controls that rely on behaviour only, like "stay alert", with no physical control.
- Signatures without a briefing, collected at the ute window.
- Never reviewed, even after a near miss.
- Paper copies lost before the principal contractor or regulator asks to see them.
Next steps
Review your traffic control SWMS against the checklist above and get your crews involved in improving it. If you run a traffic control company, TrafWise lets crews read and sign the current SWMS version on their phones before each shift, so you have a clear record of who signed what and when.
Frequently asked questions
Is a SWMS required for traffic control?
Yes, in most cases. Work carried out on or next to a road used by traffic is high-risk construction work under the WHS laws, and a safe work method statement must be prepared before that work starts. Check the current requirements with the WHS regulator in your state or territory.
Who prepares the SWMS for traffic control?
The business carrying out the high-risk construction work prepares it, usually the traffic control company for its own activities, in consultation with the workers who will do the job. The principal contractor must obtain it before the work begins and should check it fits the site and its own controls.
Is the TGS part of the SWMS?
They are separate documents that work together. The TGS is the site-specific diagram of signs, devices and controllers. The SWMS describes the hazards, risks and controls for the work, and typically names the TGS as a key control. Workers should be briefed on both before setting up.
How often should a traffic control SWMS be reviewed?
Whenever the work, site or control measures change, when a control isn't working, after an incident or near miss, and when workers raise a concern. Many companies also review on a set schedule. Anyone working under the SWMS should sign the current version before starting, and re-sign after it changes.
Can one SWMS cover several traffic control jobs?
A company can use a well-developed template, and one SWMS can cover more than one high-risk activity. But it must still reflect the actual hazards and controls at each site. Add site-specific details such as the TGS reference, speed, traffic conditions and nearby hazards before work starts.