Do you find that Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) in many situations for your construction, maintenance and minor works seems to just lack a common-sense approach? You are not alone!
A recent LinkedIn article I commented on, bemoaned standards requiring two Traffic Controllers to monitor a minor part pedestrian path closure where two workers undertaking building façade works. I was compelled to explain the standards did not require these Traffic Controllers but was likely the result of an extremely risk adverse approach taken by either the works contractor or TTM Company.
In Australia, like New Zealand, there is a rising push back from many organisations against apparent excessive TTM which comes at great cost and high impact on works productivity.
As Traffic Management is now a specialised occupation, many organisations commonly rely on external TTM contractors to provide these services with a consequent loss of internal capability and knowledge as to what TTM is required.
Situations are reported where TTM ends up being a bigger task than the works themselves. TTM arrangements in local roads particularly are frequently reported / observed to be excessive and lacking in common sense for the scale of the works and level of risk. Combined with TTM costs often representing 20 to 50% of the actual job costs, a clear need exists for more appropriate solutions.
A guiding principle in the AGTTM, is to balance TTM design appropriate to the level of risk - the risk-based approach. However, adverse outcomes continue to be observed with excessive TTM treatments for relatively low impact works. These treatments are prescribed by TTM companies based on their risk assessment as “conservatively safe”, however often the opposite results with greater risks created than those mitigated.
The risk-based approach requires TTM practitioners to be trained in undertaking a comprehensive risk assessment, but more critically to be professional confident that they can defend their decisions in the event on an incident. This is proving to be the biggest stumbling block in Australia in rolling out a more nuanced risk-based approach to TTM.
As a Registered Professional Engineer, my university degrees trained me in interpreting standards / guidelines, making engineering judgements, and how to identify and completely evaluate and defend the risks associated with variations to current practices. Engineering practice requires that I regularly apply my professional judgement in developing technical solutions. As part of my continued registration, I must complete at least 10 hours of formal CPD in risk management in any three-year period as part of my 150 hours CPD requirement.
I am therefore confident in my skills and understanding to apply the risk-based approach. However, most Australian TTM staff I meet, with only a few days of TTM training, feel incredibly threatened by this approach and the potential professional liability implications on themselves.
So, what is the answer?
This presentation discusses emerging issues relating to the risk-based approach in Australia and recommendations for application of this approach within the existing training framework that applies to TTM workers in Australia. Practical real scenarios and case examples are discussed which were applied to significantly improve the TTM arrangements at the site be delivering
• More cost-effective outcomes
• Reduced impact on works productivity
• Safer Overall
Dr Dan Sullivan of Solutions in Transport is an advocate for the temporary traffic management industry and is focussed on achieving real safety outcomes for workers in the industry.
Dan presents regularly at conferences and publishes articles on key topics.
In partnership with the TMAA, Dan is a regular contributor in the quarterly TMAA Detours Magazine on topics relating to improving safety at worksites on and near roads.
With his recognised expertise in Temporary Traffic Management, Dan is regularly sought out to speak at conferences, seminars and online events.
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