Temporary traffic routes:
Temporary workplaces, eg construction and forestry sites, often have routes for vehicles and pedestrians that change as work progresses. Where possible, these routes should comply with the same basic standards as for the permanent traffic routes listed previously.

Visibility:
Visibility should be good enough for drivers to see hazards, and pedestrians to see vehicles. Adequate visibility for drivers is related to vehicle speed and the distance needed to stop or change direction safely. Mirrors should be installed where sharp or blind bends cannot be avoided.

Speed:
Reducing vehicle speed is an important part of workplace transport safety. Fixed traffic control measures such as speed humps, chicanes and ‘rumble strips’ can reduce vehicle speed. It is important to select the most appropriate control as the wrong measure can increase risk by, for example, reducing vehicle stability.

Speed limits can also be used, but they need to be appropriate, properly enforced and, where possible, consistent across the site.

To assess an appropriate speed limit, the route layout and its usage should be considered. For example, lower speeds will be appropriate where pedestrians are present or where lift trucks and road-going vehicles share a traffic route.

Signs, signals and markings:
Signs for drivers and pedestrians in a workplace should be the same as those used on public roads, wherever a suitable sign exists.

They should be well positioned and kept clean. Where driving is likely to be carried out in the dark, illuminated or reflective signs should be used.

White road markings should be used to regulate traffic flow, and yellow markings should be used for parking. Wherever possible, such markings should be reflective and maintained regularly.

Lighting:
Every workplace should have suitable and sufficient lighting, particularly in areas where:

• vehicles manoeuvre, or pedestrians and vehicles circulate and cross
• loading and unloading takes place.

There should be no sudden changes in lighting levels which may lead to drivers being dazzled.

2.2 Safe site – activity:
Reversing:
Around a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work occur as a result of reversing. It also results in considerable damage to vehicles, equipment and property.

The most effective way of reducing reversing incidents is to remove the need to reverse by, for example, using one-way systems. Where this is not possible, sites should be organised so that reversing is kept to a minimum. Where reversing is necessary, the following must be considered:

• Installing barriers to prevent vehicles entering pedestrian zones.
• Planning and clearly marking designated reversing areas.
• Keeping people away from reversing areas and operations.
• Using portable radios or similar communication systems.
• Increasing drivers’ ability to see pedestrians.
• Installing equipment on vehicles to help the driver and pedestrians, eg reversing alarms, flashing beacons and proximity-sensing devices.

Signalling:
The job of banksmen (or signallers) is to guide drivers and make sure reversing areas are free of pedestrians. However, in some industries, such as quarrying, banksmen are rarely used due to the size of the vehicles involved.

Using banksmen imlpies ensuring that:

• only trained banksmen are used.
• they are clearly visible to drivers at all times.
• a clear and recognised system is adopted.
• they stand in a safe position throughout the reversing operation.