TRC recognised with LGAQ award for Safety at Road Worksites

A Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) risk management project has been recognised for its contribution to the national harmonisation of Temporary Traffic Management. TRC’s ‘Safety at Road Worksites’ project was awarded an LGMS Risk Excellence Award at the recent Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Conference at Cairns.

TRC Mayor Paul Antonio, who received the award on behalf of TRC’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit, said this award recognises Council’s contribution to safety on a national level.

“Our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit worked together with Austroads, the peak organisation of Australasian road transport and traffic agencies, to provide a local government perspective on the national harmonisation of Temporary Traffic Management,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Managing risks and optimising safety for employees and contractors working in or near traffic is a significant issue for road agencies and industry.

“In November 2018, Council staff were invited to join the Project Working Group to provide input from a Queensland Local Government perspective.

“The Working Group consisted of representatives from each State’s road authorities and the Traffic Management Industry.

“With Local Government controlling around 80% of Queensland roads input from Local Government was considered essential.

“The project, called “Safety at Road Worksites”, will result in the adoption of the “Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management”, with further projects designed to increase worker safety.”

TRC Portfolio Leader for People and Organisation Development, Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said there is nothing more important in a workplace than ensuring the safety of our staff.

“The risks associated with performing works on roads, whether they be road worksites or events have the potential to expose both workers and the travelling public to high risk and need to be managed.

“Council has been working closely both with Austroads and Transport and Main Roads Queensland, to provide input from a Local Government perspective and provide feedback about the significant upcoming changes from other Queensland Councils.

“The LGMS Risk Excellence Award recognises the efforts of Council Staff who have taken strong and effective action to understand and respond to risk.

“A significant part of the project was raising awareness amongst other local governments about the changes to the new Temporary Traffic Management guide.

“Our workforce strives for excellence every day to ensure the safety of our staff. This award is recognition for the contribution to safety at a national level”

For more information about the Austroads ‘Safety at Road Worksites’ project go to https://austroads.com.au/projects/project?id=BN2019

Caption: Paul Bright, Regional Risk Coordinator - SEQ, LGMS, Mayor Paul Antonio, Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan, Michael Courtney, Principal Safety, Toowoomba Regional Council, NathanTurner, Divisional Manager – Member Services and Assets - LGMS