PLT/Specific Plant/TBT-PLT-010
Plant and Pedestrian Segregation Planning
Plant & Equipment › Specific Plant › Plant and Pedestrian Segregation Planning
Toolbox Talk
Plant and Pedestrian Segregation Planning
Being struck by moving plant is one of the leading causes of death on UK construction sites. Excavators, dumpers, and lorries have significant blind spots and long stopping distances. Effective segregation of vehicles and pedestrians is the single most important measure to prevent these incidents. Every site must have clear routes, barriers, and crossing points to keep people and machines apart.
Key Hazards
Workers struck by reversing vehicles in blind spot areas
Pedestrians crushed between plant and fixed structures or materials
Vehicles overrunning into pedestrian walkways or work areas
Delivery vehicles colliding with site workers during unloading operations
Control Measures
- Establish separate designated routes for pedestrians and vehicles across the entire site.
- Install physical barriers, kerbs, or guardrails to separate walkways from traffic routes.
- Provide clearly marked crossing points where pedestrians must cross vehicle routes.
- Use trained banksmen to control reversing operations in areas where people are working.
- Enforce site speed limits using signage, speed bumps, and monitoring by supervisors.
- Ensure all plant has functioning reversing alarms, cameras, and mirrors before operation.
- Brief all workers on the traffic management plan during site induction and at regular intervals.
- Restrict pedestrian access to active plant working areas using temporary fencing and signage.
- Review and update the traffic management plan whenever site layout or activities change.
Remember
- Never assume a plant operator can see you — always make eye contact before approaching.
- Use designated pedestrian walkways and crossing points at all times without exception.
- Reversing plant causes the most pedestrian fatalities on UK construction sites annually.
- High-visibility clothing helps but does not replace proper physical segregation measures.
- Report any missing barriers, signs, or breaches of the traffic management plan immediately.
- If the site layout changes, the traffic management plan must be updated and re-briefed.
Applicable Legislation: CDM Regulations 2015 · Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · PUWER 1998
Delivered By
RAMS Builder
Generate professional Risk Assessment and Method Statements in minutes. 10 document formats, site-specific content, instant Word download.