Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Traffic Marshall

🎯 Role Definition

The Traffic Marshall is a cornerstone of site safety and operational efficiency. This role is fundamentally responsible for the safe and systematic management of vehicle and plant movement on-site, at entry points, and on the public highway interface. By providing clear direction and maintaining constant vigilance, the Traffic Marshall prevents accidents, minimizes delays, and ensures the smooth flow of deliveries, collections, and personnel. This position is critical for maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations and serves as the primary point of contact for all drivers entering and navigating the work area.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Construction Operative / Labourer
Security Guard
Warehouse Operative

Advancement To:

Site Supervisor / Foreman
Logistics Manager / Coordinator
Health & Safety Advisor

Lateral Moves:

Banksman (often a dual role)
Slinger / Signaller
Plant Operator (with additional training/certification)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely direct and manage all vehicle traffic, including HGVs, delivery vans, staff cars, and construction plant, at site entrances, exits, and throughout the designated work area.
Implement and enforce the site's Traffic Management Plan, ensuring all drivers and pedestrians adhere to established routes, speed limits, and safety protocols.
Maintain clear and constant communication with drivers, plant operators, and site personnel using standardized hand signals (as per HSE guidelines), two-way radios, and verbal instructions.
Ensure that reversing manoeuvres are conducted safely by acting as the designated banksman, guiding drivers and preventing collisions with structures, materials, or people.
Control the flow of pedestrian traffic in and around vehicle movement zones, ensuring individuals use designated safe walkways and crossing points to prevent incidents.
Brief all drivers on site-specific hazards, rules, and the one-way system upon their arrival to ensure full compliance and situational awareness.
Immediately report any accidents, incidents, near misses, or dangerous occurrences involving vehicles or pedestrians to the Site Manager and Health & Safety Officer.
Ensure that delivery vehicles are directed to the correct unloading/loading bay or material laydown area efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays and site congestion.
Provide clear and polite instructions to members of the public who may be affected by site traffic, maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor at all times.
Escort oversized vehicles or abnormal loads through complex or high-risk areas of the site to provide an additional layer of safety and control.

Secondary Functions

Check that all delivery drivers are wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) before allowing them to exit their vehicles and proceed on site.
Record all significant vehicle movements, including arrivals and departures, in a site logbook or digital system for security and logistical tracking purposes.
Conduct risk assessments for vehicle movements and pedestrian interface areas, identifying potential hazards and communicating them to the site management team.
Manage and coordinate the allocation of parking spaces for site personnel and visitors, ensuring emergency access routes are kept clear at all times.
Inspect and maintain the integrity of traffic management systems, including signage, cones, and barriers, reporting any damage or deficiencies immediately.
Conduct daily pre-start checks of site access points and haul roads to ensure they are free from obstruction, debris, or hazardous conditions.
Manage the cleanliness of site entrances and surrounding public roads, overseeing wheel washing facilities to prevent mud and debris from being tracked out.
Monitor and enforce site security protocols at access gates, verifying visitor and delivery driver credentials before granting entry.
Support the logistics team by communicating upcoming delivery schedules and coordinating vehicle holding areas during peak times to optimize site flow.
Participate in daily site briefings and safety meetings, providing valuable feedback on traffic management issues and potential improvements.
Assist with general site tidiness and housekeeping, particularly around access points and roadways, to maintain a safe working environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid Traffic Marshall / Vehicle Banksman Certificate: Possession of a current and valid ticket, such as CPCS A73, NPORS N403, or an equivalent accredited certification.
Valid CSCS Card: A valid Construction Skills Certification Scheme card is essential for working on almost all UK construction sites.
Knowledge of HSE Hand Signals: Must be proficient in the Health and Safety Executive's standard hand signals for directing vehicle and plant movements.
Understanding of Traffic Management Plans: Ability to read, understand, and implement site-specific traffic management plans.
Two-Way Radio Proficiency: Competent in using two-way radios for clear and concise communication with site teams and drivers.
First Aid Knowledge: A basic knowledge of first aid, or holding a First Aid at Work certificate, is highly advantageous.

Soft Skills

Situational Awareness: An exceptional level of vigilance and the ability to constantly scan and assess the surrounding environment for potential hazards.
Assertive Communication: The ability to give clear, confident, and unambiguous instructions to drivers of all types of vehicles.
Calm Under Pressure: Must remain composed, professional, and decisive in noisy, fast-paced, and potentially stressful situations.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to think quickly and find safe, practical solutions to unexpected traffic issues, blockages, or logistical challenges.
Reliability and Punctuality: A strong work ethic, demonstrating dependability and commitment to the role and the site's operational hours.
Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact professionally and courteously with a diverse range of people, including site staff, delivery drivers, and the general public.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

No formal academic qualifications are required; however, a good standard of literacy and numeracy is beneficial for record-keeping and understanding safety documentation.

Preferred Education:

Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent. Additional Health & Safety qualifications (e.g., IOSH Working Safely) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction
Logistics and Distribution

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-3 years. Roles are available for newly certified individuals, with extensive experience being highly sought after for complex, large-scale projects.

Preferred:

Demonstrable experience working as a Traffic Marshall or Banksman on a live, busy construction site, civil engineering project, distribution center, or large-scale event. Experience in managing HGV movements is particularly valuable.