This Yard Traffic & Pedestrian Management SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) sets out how workers move safely through a hire services yard or depot alongside vehicles, forklifts and other plant. It covers using marked pedestrian routes, stopping to make eye contact and get the operator's acknowledgement, keeping out of exclusion zones and load paths, spotters for reversing, warning devices and reporting near misses. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Equipment and plant hire depots
Building supply and hardware yards
Transport and freight depots
Council works depots
Landscape supply and timber yards
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Being struck by a reversing or moving forklift, truck or yard vehicle
Blocked sightlines from masts, stacked stock or parked vehicles
Entering a travel path or exclusion zone without acknowledgement
Being struck by loads or attachments during lifting or loading
Collisions at blind corners, doorways and yard entry points
Slips and trips on uneven surfaces, potholes and poor lighting
Vehicles not giving way at crossing points
What's included
6 pre-operational checks, from knowing pedestrian routes and exclusion zones to high-visibility clothing, signage, mirrors and active areas
A 10-step operating procedure covering marked routes, crossing, operator acknowledgement, load paths, spotters, warning devices and giving way
Isolation and energy control for approaching operating plant and staying out of exclusion zones
4 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for pedestrians struck or nearly struck by vehicles, forklifts or plant
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Hire Services SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover writing a traffic management plan?
No. Developing a written traffic management plan or risk assessment is covered by your Traffic Management Plans and Pedestrian Separation procedure.
Does it cover driving forklifts?
No. Forklift and other mobile plant operation is covered by the plant-specific SOP. This SOP covers pedestrians and yard vehicle reversing and spotter practices.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
