33% increase in major Traffic Management breaches on construction sites

The Building Safety Group (BSG) has reported a 33% increase in major Traffic Management breaches on construction sites. The report was based on 7,000 site inspections carried out during the first half of 2024, when comparing Q1 to Q2.

BSG’s latest statistical analysis is a cause for concern when considering on average, each year, about 7 workers die as a result of accidents involving vehicles or mobile plant on construction sites according to the HSE. A further 93 are seriously injured.

Traffic Management breaches on construction sites between 1/1/2024 & 30/06/2024

Some of the more common types of Traffic Management violations include;

• Inadequate Signage and Road Markings
• Improper Traffic Control Measures
• Lack of Trained Traffic Marshals
• Failure to Maintain Safe Access and Egress
• Inadequate Lighting and Visibility
• Non-compliance with Traffic Management Plans

The law says that companies must organise a construction site so that vehicles and pedestrians using site routes can move around safely. The routes need to be suitable for the persons or vehicles using them, in suitable positions and sufficient in number and size. The term ‘vehicles’ includes: cars, vans, lorries, low-loaders and mobile plant such as excavators, lift trucks and site dumpers etc.

The key message is: construction site vehicle incidents can and should be prevented by the effective management of transport operations throughout the construction process.

When dealing with Traffic Management on site, BSG recommends that members access the following documents on the BSG Hub, as as well view the videos and podcasts available on BSG’s YouTube channel;

• MS 56 Traffic Management Method Statement.docx (See BSG Hub BSG InTel / Health & Safety Documentation / Site Management Forms)
• Traffic Management on Construction sites (YouTube video)
• Site Transport and Pedestrian Segregation – BSG Toolbox Talk
• HSG 136: A guide to workplace transport safety
• HSG 150 Health and safety in construction
• INDG 199 Workplace transport safety

We would also recommend that you consider attending our Vehicle Banksman/Traffic Marshall course. The training can be delivered on your site, or one of our scheduled courses at the BSG’s training centre. The next courses will run on 31st July, 7th August and 4th September.

In addition, BSG would suggest looking at the following information available on the HSE site;

• Keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart
• Minimising vehicle movements
• People on site
• Turning vehicles
• Visibility
• Signs and instructions

If you are a member of The Building Safety Group would like to speak with a BSG Safety Adviser about Traffic Management on your site(s), please contact us so we can arrange a time for your local adviser to get in touch.