Employees standing near traffic along roadways, roundabouts and in parking areas while holding or ‘flapping’ advertising billboards can be exposed to a hazard from moving vehicles.
Often employees do not wear high-visibility clothing and are not aware of the traffic management plans that need to be in place. The activity also often takes place during periods of high road usage in mornings or afternoons.
In addition, this form of advertising may not comply with the advertising policies of Main Roads and/or the relevant local government authority.
Contributing factors;
– Employees standing or moving close to moving vehicles without any means of protection from the vehicles.
– Failure of the employer to ensure a safe work method is established for employees engaged in such advertising or ‘flapping’ to minimise the risk of injury.
– Failure of the employer to instruct employees in the safe work method and the hazards of interaction with vehicles and traffic.
– Failure of the employer to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE), in this instance high visibility clothing, is provided to employees as required.
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