Working safely around vehicles and machinery is important on construction sites. Pedestrians should use designated routes and be aware of their surroundings, while wearing high visibility vests. If workers feel unsafe due to vehicle operation, they should stop work and notify their supervisor. Only trained and authorized personnel should operate equipment, and safe procedures must always be followed. Safety signs use distinctive colors to clearly communicate prohibitions, hazards, mandatory actions, emergency equipment locations, and safe areas.

1. Section E
Working Safely Around Plant and Equipment
Building Faculty2014

2. Site Vehicle Safety
When working on a construction site you are at an increased risk of being struck by a moving
vehicle. This is particularly true if the vehicle is reversing as the operator may not be able to
see. It is good practice to have safe pedestrian zones on site and to have a banksman co-ordinating
vehicular movement. You have a responsibility to wear appropriate high visibility
vests/jackets and to maintain your situational awareness whilst on site at all times.

3. Site Vehicle Safety
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If you think that a vehicle is operating too closely to where you are working and you have
concerns that it may pose a risk to the health, safety and welfare of you or those working
around you, you should stop what you are doing immediately and speak to your supervisor.

4. Pedestrian Routes
Designated pedestrian routes can be used
on a construction site to clearly identify
safe paths. Despite the routes being
clearly marked you should still retain
awareness of the environment at all times
as a vehicle operator may make a mistake
that could cost you your life.
You should be told about site safety rules
and control measures at the site safety
induction.

5. Operating Plant and Machinery
Before attempting to operate any plant, machinery or equipment, you must ensure that you are
trained, competent, sufficiently experienced and have permission to do so. Appropriate
supervision should be in place where necessary and safe systems of work must be adhered to at
all time.

6. Prohibition
Identifying Signs
Safety signs can be readily identified by their colour. The colour will indicate the
meaning and purpose of the sign as well as the instruction or information it is
conveying:
Warning or
Hazard
Mandatory
Fire
Fighting
Safe
Environment

7. Prohibition
Prohibition
Purpose: Prohibition or Danger Alarm
Description: Round shape, black pictogram on white
background; red edging and diagonal line; red part to be at least
35% of the area of the sign.

8. Warning or Hazard
Warning or
Hazard
Purpose: Warning or Hazard
Description: Triangular shape, black pictogram on yellow
background with black edging; yellow part to be at least 50% of
the area of the sign.

9. Mandatory
Mandatory
Purpose: Mandatory (Must Do)
Description: Round shape, white pictogram on blue
background; blue part to be at least 50% of the area of the sign.

10. Fire Fighting
Fire
Fighting
Purpose: Fire Fighting Equipment
Description: Rectangular or square shape, white pictogram on
red background; red part to be at least 50% of the area of the
sign.

11. Safe Environment
Safe
Environment
Purpose: Emergency escape, first aid, no danger
Description: Rectangular or square shape, white pictogram on
green background; green part to be at least 50% of the area of
the sign.