There are extra risks to consider and extra rules to adhere to when working on or near a public road. From construction to special events, many industries and operations in Sydney disrupt the normal flow of traffic. Every worker has a role to play in protecting their own safety and the safety of others, and as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you need to eliminate health and safety risks in the workplace as far as reasonably practicable. This includes managing the risks associated with traffic both on and off the road.
Managing the risks of working around traffic involves a number of different measures and strategies. There are ways to keep walkways clear, make sure that vehicles have adequate space and access, provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and use traffic control measures like signs and warning devices. Planning and acquiring the right permits are essential for legal regulations, and road occupancy licenses are among the most important documents to acquire.
Working on or near a public road is considered high-risk construction work. As a PCBU, you have to write a safe work method statement (SWMS) specifying the hazards related to the job and the control measures you plan to put in place to deal with them.
The right planning makes all the difference. A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) safely manages the movement of people and vehicles around your construction site in order to minimise disruption and prevent accidents and injuries. A traffic control plan (TCP) helps traffic controllers safely direct motorists, pedestrians and cyclists around the construction site. A road occupancy license can help keep your work above board and prevent fines, project delays and shutdowns from slowing or stopping your progress.
There’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to meeting the legal requirements, and SSTC is happy to help. Whether you need assistance with the road occupancy license application or planning your own TCP or CTMP, we have extensive experience helping businesses of all kinds navigate working in Sydney’s busy traffic.
This article is the SSTC guide to road occupancy licenses: what they are, the situations when they’re needed most, how to apply for one and how we can help.
Road occupancy licenses are permits issued by Transport for NSW (formerly Roads and Maritime Services) that allow individuals and organisations to occupy road space at specific times. The license applies only to the road space and doesn’t grant permission for the actual work being undertaken. A Road Occupancy License (ROL) is necessary for any activity that’s likely to impact traffic flow, even if the activity itself doesn’t take place on the road.
An ROL is necessary for all work undertaken on a state road or within 100m of traffic signals. The permit for the work is only valid for the length of time specified, and it’s important to apply for any permits and licenses required for the work itself.
A Road Occupancy License is needed any time there’s a road occupancy. This is any activity or situation that temporarily uses or occupies a road space, affecting traffic flow and potentially leading to lane closures and other disruptions. Some of the most common road occupancy scenarios include:
Transport for NSW has an online system that allows registered users to apply for Road Occupancy Licenses: OPLINC. Completing the OPLINC registration process involves supplying all the required documents and paying the requested fees on time. If you have an OPLINC business representative in your organisation, they have the power to register other people in your organisation as well. Here’s a brief example of the process to follow when applying for road occupancy licenses in NSW:
Recognise when work or an event will require road occupancy, as per the examples above.
Make sure you’ve determined the size, scope, location and other details of the work and how it will affect traffic. It helps to already have a TCP outlining how you plan to control traffic over this period. Risk assessments and safety measures may also be necessary for large-scale projects.
You can complete the application for an ROL yourself or call upon the experience of a team like SSTC to help. Either way, it’s important to complete the application as early as possible so you can secure council approval well in advance of the project’s start time.
Road occupancy license application can seem like a daunting process if you don’t know where to start, especially on top of all the other safety responsibilities you have to consider. The professionals at SSTC can ensure that you meet all your legal requirements and minimise safety risks to your team and the public as much as possible.
A company with over 25 years of combined experience, SSTC is trusted by some of the biggest construction companies in the country. Our commitment to safety starts with helping you attain the licenses, permits, standards, permits and plans you need.
As well as assisting our clients in applying for traffic control licenses, SSTC helps with construction traffic management plans and traffic control plans. Our in-house accredited planners help with all requirements for council development applications, permits and plans and building approvals. Our strong relationship with the council expedites the process of getting your project approved.
We provide traffic control plans that are detailed, reliable and cost-effective. If you’re still unsure what kinds of plans, permits and measures you need in place, our authority liaison can help you cover all your bases.
SSTC also provides traffic management contractors to manage your impact on the flow of traffic in Sydney. We can work with you to develop comprehensive CTMPs and TCPs, install and maintain traffic control signals, implement traffic control measures like lane closures, and provide a dedicated 24/7 emergency response team in case of an emergency.
Get in touch with the company that makes applying for road occupancy licences easy: contact the SSTC team and get your free quote.