SafeWork reports that in 2023, the warehousing and transportation industry in NSW experienced the highest percentage of major claims across all sectors. These incidents, often resulting in injuries or fatalities, not only disrupt operations but also lead to significant financial losses for businesses.
A substantial proportion of these incidents involved pedestrians and could have been avoided with effective traffic management. To help ensure your warehouse is a safe environment for everyone, this article explores practical strategies to improve pedestrian safety.
With a particular focus on ‘preventing the preventable’, this blog serves as a practical guide to creating a safer workhouse for both visitors and employees.
Warehouse accident REPORT: safework 2024
Warehouses are high-risk environments, with a significant number of injuries and fatalities occurring each year (10,200 total claims for NSW in 2023 alone). A major contributor to these incidents is the interaction between vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians.
Vehicle-related incidents alone account for 42% of worker fatalities in warehouses, while an additional 12% involve pedestrians being struck by moving objects or vehicles.*
These statistics highlight the critical need for comprehensive safety protocols, including clear traffic management systems, separation zones, and enhanced visibility measures, to minimise risks and protect workers in these dynamic environments. See the image below for the worker fatalities by most common mechanism in 2023.
*Source: SafeWork Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024 report
Strategies for pedestrian safety — Preventing the preventable
As a worksite traffic management company, we understand the unique challenges faced by safety professionals in the warehousing sector. Let's explore the most effective traffic management solutions to enhance pedestrian protection in your warehouse operations.
Vehicle routes
If you have pedestrians and vehicles operating within the same space, we recommend implementing clearly defined routes for vehicles to follow. These will streamline traffic flow and minimise interactions between people and mobile plants. These routes are typically indicated with line markings and clear signage.
Pedestrian zones
Pedestrian zones are reserved exclusively for foot traffic, providing a safe and clear route for people to walk. Barriers separate people from vehicles and heavy machinery, minimising interactions and the risk of collisions. Pedestrian zones must be monitored and enforced, especially in high-traffic areas like loading docks.
Exclusion zones
An exclusion zone restricts access to high-risk areas, such as loading docks, forklift operating zones, pallet racking or storage areas, and emergency exits. This ensures vehicles can move freely to complete tasks, knowing no one is in the vicinity.
Shared zones
Shared zones are carefully managed, allowing pedestrians and vehicles to coexist safely. These zones have clear markings, low-speed limits, warning signals, and pedestrian crossings to ensure everyone who needs to be there can work safely.
Pedestrian barriers
A pedestrian barrier creates a physical divider between walking routes and vehicle routes. This reduces the likelihood of collisions and if a vehicle does stray into them, the barrier absorbs the impact. Barriers are durable, clearly visible, and strategically placed around high-risk zones, such as intersections and loading areas.
Speed limits
Speed limits are essential for reducing the risk of accidents and the severity of a collision if they do occur. These limits should be clearly signposted, regularly monitored, and strictly enforced to maintain safety.
Visibility
Adequate lighting and visibility are crucial, especially around moving vehicles and dimly lit spaces. In areas with poor visibility, we recommend incorporating reflective barriers, flashing lights, and audible alarms to alert workers and drivers to potential hazards.
Signage
Effective traffic signage provides clear, concise instructions and warnings for both pedestrians and drivers. These signs should be strategically placed and highly visible to enhance situational awareness.
Case study — Frucor
Frucor Beverages is a leading Australasian beverage company that manufactures and distributes a wide range of fruit juices and other drink products.
Frucor was moving into a new facility in Eastern Creek, NSW, and needed assistance in creating and implementing a Traffic Management Plan in a narrow time between builder handover and the site go-live date. In the new manufacturing and distribution centre, vehicles and pedestrians would operate within the same space so an effective traffic management plan was crucial for worker safety.
The Safequip team completed a desktop review of their site plans vs racking and operational diagrams. We also developed a comprehensive Traffic Control Plan and Site Safety Plan that facilitated the safe operation of their site (segregation between mobile plant and people). Once the plans were completed, the team implemented the required works from the TMP, which included line marking, safety barriers and gates, and safety signage.
how safequip can help
Our team specialises in end-to-end site safety improvement projects. This includes site auditing, risk assessments, traffic management plans, and project installation. Whether you are looking for a safety audit or full project implementation, we offer services to suit all business requirements.
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) ensures all workers, contractors, and visitors have a clear understanding of designated pathways, vehicle operation zones, and safety protocols. We outline everything you need to know in our recent article, including:
- What to include in a Traffic Management Plan,
- How to implement a Traffic Management Plan,
- And how we can help.
Click below to ensure your worksite is safe and well-prepared.