Roadworks enforceable undertaking

Following a fatal road accident in Darwin in 2016, Northern Territory WorkSafe (NT WorkSafe) has accepted a $1.3 million enforceable undertaking for safety around roadworks from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL). It follows an enforceable undertaking that was also accepted last August from contractor BMD Constructions, who were responsible for management of the roadworks related to the incident. DIPL has been charged with failing to comply with road safety laws, and for breaching Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011.

NT WorkSafe states that a traffic diversion set-up on Tiger Brennan Drive in Darwin was not in accordance with an approved traffic control diagram, nor with Australian standards. The $1.3 million enforceable undertaking urges DIPL to employ dedicated staff in Road Operations to ensure better traffic management plans and guidance schemes in an auditing capacity. The enforceable undertaking also states that DIPL must upskill staff who deal with construction contracts to better understand legal obligations. DIPL must also establish a Panel Contract for Auditing of Work Zone Traffic Management by independent WZ1 accredited road safety auditors, and implement campaigns to improve road safety at traffic management locations.

As part of the agreement, DIPL is also required to review and update permit requirements and standards specification for road construction and maintenance in relation to barriers, line marking removal, night lighting and positioning of variable message signs to improve clarity and safety for road users. As part of the enforceable undertaking, DIPL must also fund a driving through roadwork zones module for the DriveAbout app, to help new road users pass the Learner Permit test.

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