Coroner's Finding: Close, Terrence Findings

Contributing factors

• inadequate traffic warning signage placement (750m from worksite versus 500m maximum standard)
• failure to relocate signage when worksite moved west of railway bridge
• absence of physical protective barriers (cones, bollards, delineation, shadow vehicle)
• poor traffic management planning without site-specific assessment
• lack of worker qualifications in traffic management plan design
• driver inattention (tuning car radio) and speeding (53 km/h in 40 km/h zone)
• inadequate training of traffic control staff
• generic traffic management plans inadequately adapted to site conditions
• lack of regulatory enforcement of Australian Standard 1742.3-2009

Coroner's recommendations

1. Adopt Australian Standard 1742.3-2009 (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices - Part 3) as a Code of Practice under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 to provide enforceable minimum standards for traffic management at roadworks
2. Ensure all roadworks are carried out in compliance with applicable Australian Standards for traffic control
3. Prohibit positioning road workers on roadways without physical barriers between them and approaching traffic; eliminate use of traffic controllers as 'first line of defence'
4. Implement mandatory use of physical protective measures at roadwork sites including cones, bollards, ripple strips, and shadow vehicles
5. Require site-specific traffic management planning with sufficient advance notice of work locations
6. Ensure traffic management planners hold appropriate 'Prepare work zone traffic management plan' qualifications
7. Mandate proper signage placement compliant with Australian Standards (maximum 500m spacing)
8. Ensure relevant information about work locations and timing is communicated to traffic management providers in advance
9. Implement formal documentation and inspection procedures for traffic management compliance across WorkSafe Tasmania
10. Launceston City Council and other councils should adopt traffic management codes of practice similar to those used by DIER, or comply with approved standards if adopted at state level