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Workplace traffic generates risks for workers, and therefore requires special prevention measures. In this article, Tennaxia takes a look at the regulations and the employer's obligations in this area.
What is company traffic?
Workplace traffic encompasses all movements of people and work equipment, as well as the areas in which they operate.
In particular, it is organized around main thoroughfares and entrances and exits to company premises.
🔍 Focus : Traffic regulations concern the entire company, and also apply to main traffic lanes on the company's premises, as well as to traffic lanes used for surveillance and regular maintenance of the company's facilities (Article R4214-13 C.Trav.).
What are the risks associated with driving around the company?
The stakes involved in workplace traffic are particularly high when the company uses mobile or dangerous work equipment , and when its activities involve particular risks.
Collisions between pedestrians and vehicles, and falls from heights or into dangerous environments, can cause serious injury or death.
ℹ Note : According to CNAMTS statistics, in 2008 , 42% of workplace accidents were attributable to traffic in the workplace. i.e. almost 330,000 accidents. In the same year, 575 deaths were caused by workplace traffic accidents.
How to prevent traffic-related risks in the workplace?
How do you assess traffic-related risks in the workplace?
Employers must protect the health and safety of their employees, in particular by implementing a risk prevention program(Article L4121-2 C.Trav.).
Employers must analyze and assess the risks associated with traffic on their premises, and must therefore:
- analyze workplaces, their layout and size ;
- take into account the company's work equipment;
- define movements of people, work equipment and vehicles, as well as traffic flows.
When analyzing workplaces, it's a good idea to use the company's floor plan to precisely define the size of workplaces, space requirements, the presence of clearances, stairways, parking areas, danger zones, fixed and mobile work equipment, etc.
When analyzing the movement of people, work equipment and traffic flows, we need to take into account the company's activity and the tasks to be carried out, in order to consider and define all the movements required for the company's operation.
⚠️ Warning : A new analysis of traffic conditions is mandatory when a serious occupational accident or disease occurs in the company. (Article R4141-8 C.Trav.).
How to design traffic lanes?
When designing traffic lanes, the employer must take into account the company's needs and comply with applicable regulations.
Traffic lanes must be designed in compliance with the following rules(Article R4214-9 C.Trav.):
- the layout and dimensions of circulation routes (including stairs and fixed ladders) must comply with fire prevention and evacuation regulations;
- pedestrians and vehicles must be able to use traffic lanes in complete safety;
- Workers employed in the vicinity of traffic lanes must not be exposed to danger;
- traffic between pedestrians and vehicles must be safe and secure(Article R4224-3 C.Trav.).
How should workplaces be designed?
When fitting out workplaces, the employer must ensure that the company has clearances (doors, corridors, staircases, etc.) which enable rapid and safe evacuation(Article R4227-4 C.Trav.).
In addition, evacuation routes and clearances must be free of all obstacles, adapted to the company's workforce and present in sufficient numbers (Article R4227-5 C.Trav.) :
EFFECTIVENUMBER
of clearancesWIDTH
total cumulatedUnder20 people10.80 mFrom 20 to 100 people11.50 mFrom 101 to 300 people22 mFrom 301 to 500 people22.5 mAOver 500 people, the size of the clearances must be increased by 50 cm for every 100 people, and an additional clearance must be added for every 500 people.
Since January 1, 1993, for the construction of a new building or the conversion of an existing building, the owner must provide the required number and width of clearances specified in article R. 4216-8 of the French Labor Code.
Traffic lanes must also be adequately lit(Article R4223-4 C.Trav.):
WORKplaces
and their outbuildings MINIMUM VALUES
lightingInternaltraffic routes40luxStairways and warehouses60 luxWorkrooms, changing rooms, sanitary facilities120 luxBlind permanent workplaces200 lux
OUTDOOR SPACES MINIMUM VALUES
illuminationOutdoortraffic areasand thoroughfares10 luxOutdoor areas where permanent work is carried out40 lux
What are the rules of the road?
Pedestrian walkways and mobile work equipment
When the company uses mobile work equipment (forklifts, mobile cranes, aerial work platforms, etc.), the employer must comply with specific regulations to prevent the risk of collisions with pedestrians:
- mobile equipment traffic lanes must be kept free of all obstacles, be of sufficient size and have a profile that allows the equipment to be moved safely at the speed specified in the instruction manual(Article R4323-50 C.Trav.) ;
- Pedestrian doors must be installed at a sufficient distance from vehicle traffic lanes(Article R4214-12 C.Trav. and Article R4214-10 C.Trav.) ;
- passageways and aisles between work equipment must be in good condition, have a safe profile and be at least 80 cm wide to allow worker circulation(Article R4323-12 C.Trav.).
🔍 Focus : New workplaces must guarantee access, circulation and evacuation for disabled people (Article R4214-26 C.Trav.).
Company traffic signs
In addition to the proper layout of traffic lanes, when mobile work equipment circulates in a work area, the employer must establish appropriate traffic rules and ensure they are properly applied(Article R4323-51 C.Trav.).
The decree of November 4, 1993 on occupational health and safety signs sets out the characteristics of the signs and signals to be installed for the circulation of mobile work equipment.
This signage does not affect any road, rail or river signage that may be in place.
In addition, when there is a lot of vehicular traffic on the site, traffic lanes must be marked with a visible color (white or yellow, depending on the color of the ground)(Article R4214-11 C.Trav.).
Special cases
There are also special cases subject to specific regulations:
- For loading and unloading operations(e.g. delivery of goods for a supermarket), a safety protocol must be drawn up(Article R4515-4 C.Trav.). This safety protocol must include safety and traffic instructions(Article R4515-6 C.Trav.).
- When there is a lot of truck or vehicle traffic on a worksite, specially reserved tracks must be laid and marked(Article R4534-10 Trav.).
- When using a subcontractor, traffic lanes and access routes for workers and vehicles must be indicated during the prior joint inspection(Article R4512-3 C.Trav.).
How do you design your company's traffic flow?
Drawing up a traffic plan
To ensure compliance with company traffic regulations, we recommend drawing up a traffic plan.
The traffic plan is drawn up on the basis of the information gathered during the risk assessment, particularly concerning the definition of traffic flows within the company.
This circulation plan takes the form of a diagram of the company and its work premises, highlighting the company's circulation flows (generally illustrated by arrows) and their organization and interaction.
The purpose of a traffic plan is to prevent traffic-related risks within the company, and to optimize movement and travel. When drawing up a traffic plan, the employer must ensure that :
- define priority traffic routes according to the tasks to be performed or the risks present;
- minimize travel distances;
- simplify flow crossings and interactions;
- secure traffic flow between pedestrians and vehicles;
- ...
How do you train your employees in company traffic?
As part of their safety training, workers must be informed about traffic conditions within the company(Article R4141-3 C.Trav.).
As a minimum, workers must be trained in(Article R4141-11 C.Trav.) :
- rules governing the movement of vehicles and machinery in the workplace and on the premises;
- access roads to workplaces and social premises;
- Exits and emergency exits to be used in the event of a disaster;
- evacuation instructions, particularly in the event of an explosion or the accidental release of flammable or toxic gases or liquids, if justified by the nature of the company's activity.
To remember:
❖ Up to 40% of workplace accidents are attributable to company traffic;
❖ The company must have sufficiently wide and well-lit evacuation and traffic routes ;
❖ Vehicle traffic within the company requires specific signage and safety rules;
❖ It's a good idea to draw up a traffic plan to organize traffic flow within the company as efficiently as possible.