A Glimpse Into The Role Of A Main Roads Traffic Escort Warden

discuss any issues which may have arisen during the OSOM move. This process is repeated daily throughout the move.

Once at their destination for the day, Wardens complete their daily occurrences report, vehicle logs and any other administrative paperwork that is required. Upon completion of the job, a final post move toolbox meeting is completed and contact is made with Main Roads’ Traffic Escort Schedulers to advise the job is complete. The Warden then departs from the drop off location to their next job or to their booked accommodation.

At the end of a job, Wardens check their mobile app to see if they have another job scheduled. If there are none, they will commence empty travel and return to home base, breaking up the journey by staying in overnight accommodation where necessary, to ensure they comply with Main Roads policies and fatigue management requirements.

What are some of the most unusual loads that have been escorted?

Wardens have dealt with 10 metre wide patrol boats out of Henderson, and 15 metre wide loads out of Port Hedland. The Port Hedland loads are moved at night under a rolling road block, which is where the road is closed in sections of approximately twenty kilometres at a time, allowing the OSOM vehicle to travel with the exclusion of all other traffic.

Under a similar rolling roadblock arrangement, Wardens have escorted wind blades from Henderson with three blades per convoy, with each OSOM vehicle up to 85 metres in length.

What are some of the interesting experiences Wardens have had, or sights they’ve seen, while on the road?

Wardens often describe the incredible trucking community and the diverse characters they meet.

Some of them say one of the best things about a Warden’s job is simply the fact that it is in Western Australia, the best State in Australia, with an outstanding countryside.

They start off in summer when is everything is parched and bone dry, harvest finishes and there are empty paddocks everywhere. A bit further up into the Pilbara, the heat sets in and the flies are big and friendly. It’s hot and humid for eight months of the year, but then it starts getting back into winter and everything changes again. In parts of WA the paddocks are either a deep green or bright yellow with canola. The North cools down to a pleasant heat and it’s not a bad place to be.

Every day is different as a Warden – trouble-free when all goes to plan, or “one of those days” when the truck breaks down, or they are caught up with a fire or flood.

Wardens often describe the incredible trucking community and the diverse characters they meet

What advice do Wardens give to road users who encounter an oncoming Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) load?

If you encounter an OSOM load you should slow down at the sight of flashing lights, move left and be prepared to stop. Always follow the directions of the Warden and Pilots and, if you have a UHF radio, tune into channel 40.

Remember, Wardens are doing their best to safely facilitate the movement of the OSOM loads and keep the public safe, so make sure you know what to do when it’s #BiggerThanYou.

What are some of the previous occupations Wardens have performed?

We have an ex-plumber, a wharfie, vegetable gardener, Police officer, pilot, traffic controller, truck driver, transport inspector and office worker, to name a few.

On the job training is provided, both in the field and in the office. The training generally takes approximately six weeks to complete before the Warden can escort OSOM vehicles on their own.

How many Wardens are there, and how does someone become a Warden?

As at January there were 23 Wardens on the network, two were in training and an additional three were due to commence training in early 2022.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a Traffic Escort Warden, contact Integrity Staffing, Hays Recruitment or Indigenous Managed Services and make an appointment to discuss the role and your suitability further.

As vacancies arise, the employment agency will forward your details to Main Roads where your application will be assessed, and if considered to be suitable, you will be interviewed.

tonne car licence vehicles through to 22.5 tonne three-axle trucks, suitable for a massive array of final applications.

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