When this template fits
This document is for site managers and principal contractors setting up the traffic management arrangements that keep plant, vehicles and pedestrians apart across the whole site. It is not a single-machine method statement — it is the plan that the dumper, telehandler and delivery RAMS all sit underneath, and the PC is usually the one who has to own it. It sets out the routes, segregation, signage and delivery controls that a CDM client or auditor expects to see for a construction site traffic management plan.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Segregate plant and pedestrians; manage deliveries and vehicle movements.
Sequence of works
- 1Before site works begin, produce and approve a written site traffic management plan covering vehicle routes, pedestrian routes, speed limits, delivery management, and segregation measures. Review whenever site layout changes.
- 2Establish and erect physical site boundaries including hoarding or secure fencing at all public interfaces. Install gated, controlled access and egress points for vehicles and pedestrians separately.
- 3Mark and physically separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle haul routes using barriers, Heras fencing or cones. Install controlled crossing points with clear signage and priority rules.
- 4Implement one-way vehicle routing wherever practicable to eliminate reversing. Where reversing is unavoidable, establish exclusion zones and deploy trained banksmen.
- 5Operate a pre-booked delivery management system. Brief all delivery drivers at the site entrance with a visitor induction covering site rules, speed limits, routes and PPE requirements before they drive on site.
- 6Deploy trained traffic marshals at all identified conflict points, particularly during peak delivery periods, plant movements and shift changes. Ensure marshals are equipped with hi-vis clothing and agreed signalling methods.
- 7Conduct daily inspections of all haul roads, pedestrian walkways and access routes. Repair defects promptly and manage mud, debris and drainage to maintain safe surfaces.
- 8Verify operator competency cards for all plant before work commences each day. Confirm proximity alarms, reversing alarms and cameras are functional before plant enters the working area.
- 9At the end of each working day, secure all gates, check the site boundary is intact and ensure no vehicles or plant obstruct emergency access routes or public footpaths overnight.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Vehicle-pedestrian collision
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish clearly defined, physically separated pedestrian walkways and vehicle routes using Armco barriers, Heras fencing, or concrete blocks. Ensure crossing points are controlled and minimised.
- › Produce and implement a written site traffic management plan covering one-way systems, speed limits, parking, delivery zones and pedestrian access points. Review when site layout changes.
- › Appoint trained, competent banksmen or traffic marshals to control vehicle movements at conflict points, delivery areas and blind spots. Marshals must be clearly identifiable and never placed in the path of moving vehicles.
- › All personnel in areas where vehicle movements occur must wear high-visibility vests or jackets to EN ISO 20471 Class 2 minimum.
Vehicle overrun or runaway
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Install physical wheel stops, bunds or barriers at the edges of excavations, ramps, loading bays and site boundaries to prevent vehicles overrunning.
- › Regularly inspect and maintain haul roads and access routes; apply hardcore or road plates to prevent rutting and loss of vehicle control.
- › Enforce site speed limits (typically 10 mph or less) using physical speed-calming measures and clearly posted signage at all site entrances and throughout haul routes.
Reversing vehicle collision
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Design the site traffic layout to incorporate one-way systems and turning circles to eliminate or minimise the need for vehicles to reverse.
- › Ensure all site vehicles and plant are fitted with functioning audible reversing alarms and, where practicable, rear-view cameras or proximity sensors.
- › Trained banksman to guide all reversing manoeuvres in areas where pedestrians or other workers may be present. Banksman must maintain eye contact with driver and use agreed signals.
Public interface with site traffic
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect solid hoarding or secure fencing along all boundaries between site traffic routes and public areas. Install vision panels or warning signage where appropriate.
- › Where public footpaths are affected, provide signed and lit alternative routes with adequate clearance from vehicle movements. Consult the local authority as required.
- › Designate a single controlled entrance/exit for site vehicles, staffed or gated, with clear signage warning the public of vehicle movements. Avoid vehicle crossings of pedestrian footpaths where possible.
Delivery vehicle conflict
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Implement a pre-booked delivery booking system to stagger arrivals, prevent on-site congestion and ensure designated unloading areas are available and clear.
- › Clearly mark dedicated, appropriately sized unloading areas away from pedestrian routes and active work areas. Ensure areas are maintained and kept clear of obstructions.
- › Require all visiting drivers to receive a site-specific induction covering traffic routes, speed limits, no-go areas, PPE requirements and reporting procedures before moving their vehicle on site.
Slips, trips and falls on traffic routes
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Regularly inspect and maintain all pedestrian and vehicle access routes; promptly repair potholes, clear debris and ensure drainage prevents pooling of water.
- › Install wheel wash facilities at site exits and road sweeping procedures to prevent mud accumulation on pedestrian walkways and public roads adjacent to site.
- › All personnel on site to wear safety footwear with ankle support and slip-resistant soles to S3 standard as a minimum.
Inadequate plant operator visibility
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish and enforce clearly marked exclusion zones around all operating plant. No pedestrians permitted within the working radius without the plant being stopped and operator informed.
- › Fit plant with proximity detection or CCTV systems where the task and site conditions create significant blind spot risks.
- › Verify all plant operators hold a current, valid competency card (e.g. CPCS or NPORS) for the specific plant category they are operating before work commences.
Unauthorised site access
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect and maintain a secure, continuous perimeter boundary (minimum 2 m Heras fencing or equivalent hoarding) with all access points gated and lockable outside working hours.
- › Staff or electronically control all vehicle and pedestrian site entrances to prevent unauthorised access. Maintain a log of all persons on site.
- › Apply anti-climb deterrents to hoarding tops and display clear warning and prohibition signage at all access points, particularly where the site borders areas used by children.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Traffic management plan drawing displayed at the gate
- › Pedestrian barriers and route segregation
- › Road signage, speed-limit and direction signs
- › Stop/go boards or barriers at the gate
- › Lighting for routes and crossings
- › Banksman radios and hi-vis identifiers
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ The plan physically segregates pedestrians from vehicles with barriers and shows it on a drawing — a line saying 'pedestrians to take care around plant' is not a traffic management plan.
- ✓ Reversing is designed out through one-way systems, with banksman control named where it cannot be avoided.
- ✓ Delivery and gate management is addressed, including how drivers are received, inducted and directed.
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for the site traffic management plan?
On a construction site the principal contractor is responsible for organising and controlling the site, and that includes the traffic management plan that keeps vehicles and pedestrians apart. Individual contractors must work within it and provide task-specific RAMS for their own plant, but the overarching plan is a PC duty under CDM 2015. The client and principal designer also have duties to ensure traffic risks are considered in the design and planning of the project. In practice the site manager draws up and maintains the plan and briefs it at induction.
How do I reduce reversing on a tight site?
The recognised approach in HSG144 is to design reversing out rather than rely on banksmen. One-way systems, turning circles and through-routes mean vehicles drive forward most of the time, and loading and tipping areas can be laid out so plant does not have to reverse to use them. Where some reversing is genuinely unavoidable, it should be controlled by a trained banksman in a safe position, with reversing alarms and good visibility. Designing it out first, then controlling what is left, is the order the plan should follow.
What regulations apply to traffic management?
PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment are the main ones. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.