A traffic control company might be synonymous with extended delays with approvals, and workers sleeping in the ute. And, an overall shockingly overpriced experience… You’ve heard this before and wonder how to choose the traffic control company to work with? Looking for the best traffic control company in Sydney for your next development work or an event?
With the right material, the right people and a good organization, every project with your traffic control company will run smoothly. Therefore, read further to see how to make the right choice when hiring a traffic control company. Here are our 5 tips on hiring the right traffic control company in Sydney.
1. Ask For The RMS Accreditation
To begin with, Roads and Maritime Services is a NSW government agency established on 1 November 2011 under s. Roads and Maritime. And, it is the agency that delivers value for customers and the community through safe, efficient and quality road and maritime networks as part of the transport system.
First of all, this sounds fairly straightforward but it’s really important to ask for the RMS Accreditation details before a Traffic Controller (TC) steps on site. Why? Well, if during an audit the TC does not have the right card on them it is going to cost money. In fact, if their card has expired or is not approved by the RMS guidelines, you’re in for a shocker.
- The amount of a Small fine for the TC is Approx $2000 in NSW
- The amount of a Large fine for the Client (that’s you) & the TC company as well is Approx $50,000
However, with Absolute Traffic Management, you get professional traffic management staff to control your sites. In fact, our RMS accredited traffic controllers have all the skills to set up and manage traffic at your site.
First, all of our traffic controllers are licensed and have an NSW white card allowing them to work on construction sites. And, they have experience working on construction sites, mobile works, emergency works, road closures, traffic management & pedestrian management.
At Absolute Traffic Management, our traffic controllers have been trained and have completed a TCP training course in NSW. So, they hold a Roads Maritime Services (RMS) Statement of Completion which allows for them to work on construction sites and workplaces across NSW.
2. Be Up to Date With SWMS
Again, basic protocol. But, safety is at the forefront of everything we do.
And, a Safety Work Methods Statement (SWMS) is crucial for all jobs according to WorkSafe Australia. In short, the purpose of a SWMS is to enable all people involved with specific high risk construction work to have a full understanding of the risks involved with undertaking that work. And, to implement the risk controls outlined in the SWMS thereby increasing workplace safety.
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure that SWMS are prepared for all high construction work before work is commenced. And, it is recommended that all SWMS are kept on-site or at a location where they can be delivered to the site promptly. In short, if your crew does not have one you could put the safety of your workers and company in jeopardy.
Stay Safe and Avoid Paying Hefty Fines
For Safe Work Australia, this statement is “a document that sets out the high risk construction work activities to be carried out at a workplace, the hazards arising from these activities and the measures to be put in place to control the risks.”
In other words, the Safety Work Methods Statement should include the information about the construction work that can be highly risky. And, all about the health and safety hazards relating to the work. In addition, it should mention the control measures to minimise the risks and how the company will implement them.
So, find more details on the Safe Work Method Statement for High Risk Construction Work Information Sheet from Safe Work Australia. And, see a sample Safe Work Method Statement here. Ultimately, the last thing you want is to pay a hefty fine if a worker injures themselves on your job site!
3. Check Your Traffic Controllers’ Presentation
Third, it is all about how your traffic controllers present themselves on site.
- To begin with, do they wear full personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- Also, do they greet pedestrians as they work past?
- And, are they the best representation for your company?
What Do Traffic Controllers Wear?
To begin with, you want to make sure they all wear full personal protective equipment (PPE). To explain, PPE refers to anything the workers use or wear to minimise risk to their health and safety. And, it is required on every construction site. In detail, this may include the following 10 elements.
PPE
- Steel toe cap boots / safety shoes
- Ear plugs to protect eardrums from any road works or heavy machinery noise.
- Face masks. Traffic controllers near heavy construction sites are exposed to a variety of air contaminants. They may be generated by the work they are doing or the vehicular traffic that surrounds them. These contaminants may be gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, smoke or mist.
- Gloves. Flexible work gloves with grip palms specifically designed for the Traffic Industry. Traffic controllers need gloves made with bright materials that offer reflective high visibility.
- Goggles. Protective eyewear must meet Australian Standards, sunglasses must be polarized.
- Hard hats. Or safety helmets (and broad brimmed hats during Summer).
- High visibility clothing. Long sleeved fluorescent shirt usually yellow or orange. And, with a reflector band, as well as “traffic controller” labelled across the back. Full length trousers with reflector band.
- Respirators. Traffic controllers must use respiratory protection for work in atmospheres where there is a risk of oxygen deficiency or exposure to a contaminant above pre-set limits.
- Safety harnesses.
- Sunscreen.
Then, we know that motorists don’t like to be held up on their journey. And, it’s easy for them to get furious. With this in mind, you want to make sure the traffic controllers you hire look great and treat drivers with respect. Eventually, this means that your company looks presentable all the time.
In short, wherever the job is we provide the best traffic controllers. So, contact the Absolute Traffic Management team now.
4. Hire A Well Organised Traffic Control Company
Well, you’d definitely hope so. But we had to mention this because of the horror stories we keep hearing of Traffic Controllers not rocking up to site.
- First, this delays and cancels the jobs.
- Then, you have to rebook all the subcontractors.
- And, it breaks the budget.
In fact, it’s easy amongst the chaos to lose a booking. As a result, you definitely want to make sure your company has a system in place to ensure this never happens.
As a Sydney-based established traffic management solutions company, Absolute Traffic Management provides a high level of service to a diverse range of clients. Consequently, we draw our knowledge based on the numerous projects we have been involved in.
And, we ensure our clients get the best service possible. In fact, communication is key to the success of our organisation. So, we build strong partnerships with our clients through a full engagement of the all team. Consequently, this allows us to guarantee your projects will run smoothly and finish on time, every time.
5. Plan & Organise the Paperwork
Last but not least, with the TMC and RMS cracking down, planning is the most important thing you do for your site. Before you start, make sure you have the relevant paperwork so profits of the job remain in your pocket.
In particular, ask if your traffic control company is competent with:
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- Road Opening Permits (ROPs): The City of Sydney’s Road Opening Permit Guide defines it as a permit to carry out any intrusive digging in the public road or footpath. – For instance, installation, maintenance, repairs/replacement or upgrading of utilities (water, gas, electricity or telecommunications). – Any type of stormwater or sewer connection works and repairs.– Providing a temporary driveway/layback to premises for residential or construction vehicle access. – And, upgrading the road, kerb & gutter associated with a development site approved by the City of Sydney Council.
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- Road Occupancy Licenses (ROL): A road occupancy licence allows the proponent to use a specified road space at approved times, if they meet certain conditions. The licence applies to the occupation of the “road space” only. And, it does not imply permission or approval for the actual (physical) works the company undertakes. It is up to the proponent to obtain the relevant approvals from other agencies, such as Water Board Authorities etc.
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- Traffic Control Plan (TCP): It outlines the minimum controls to be applied in a particular situation. They are useful to assist in the development and implementation of site and project-specific TCPs. In conjunction with a traffic management plan (TMP), risk assessment or similar.
- And also, Traffic Management Plans (TMP):It details the management of the risks associated with plant and vehicle traffic in a workplace. Regularly monitoring and reviewing plans ensures they are effective and account for changes in the workplace.
Looking For A Traffic Control Company In NSW?
So, do you want to hire a reliable and experienced traffic control company in the Sydney region? Then, work with our crew members. They are highly skilled, dedicated and innovative traffic controllers with an actual passion for road safety.
Absolute Traffic Management provides traffic management services to major projects of building and civil constructions companies, in addition to local government councils, state road authorities and utilities companies.
So, now that we’ve shared these 5 tips on hiring the right traffic control company, see what our customers are saying about us. Our clients testify to our reputation, capability and service excellence in the traffic control industry.
Thus, get in touch with our team at Absolute Traffic Management. Today, we are one of Sydney’s leading companies for traffic control and traffic management plans in Sydney.
Finally, we offer on-call, personalised service 24hrs a day, 365 days a year with an unbeatable difference. Therefore, if you have any questions or have a project coming up that you need some help with, contact us for a free, no obligatory chat.
