Linemarker - Job Demand Analysis
| Division | Road Maintenance and Resilience |
| Branch | Road Maintenance Delivery |
| Assessment locations | Wagga Wagga depot |
| Publication date | 12/03/2025 |
Role Summary
Line marker positions work in teams to mark roads using road marking vehicles. This includes the movement of line marking equipment and resources onto and from trucks, maintaining the linemarker vehicle and it's operation.
The workers can be exposed to airborne paint contaminants during the course of their duties.
The workers are exposed to awkward lifting tasks when disconnecting and removing used paint hoses. The task being performed may be performed for extended periods and be repetitive in nature causing exhaustion.
The teams spend a significant period of time working on regional roads and are hence exposed to interactions with members of the public.
They are required to live away from home for usually one week at a time, on an ongoing basis which can be quite psychologically and physically demanding. The role may be required to perform significant night work during busier periods of road use and depending on locations.
Exposure To Critical Risks
Task Demand Summary
Task | Physical | Psychological | Environmental |
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Regional driving - 40% |
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Line marker Operation - 35% |
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Housekeeping and on-hold (weather) - 10% |
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Forklift Operation - 5% |
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Manual loading and unloading of supplies - 4% |
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Cleaning/Scraping the paint tanks - 2% |
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Replacing and connecting the linemarker hoses - 2% |
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Cleaning the linemarker vehicle and gun heads - 2% |
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Overall Demand |
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Whole Job Physical Demands Summary
| Physical demands | Frequency1 | Comments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Whole Body Movement | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Sitting | X | Constant seated/driving tasks performed. Operating fork lift. Whilst scraping the paint tank lids. | ||||
| Standing | X | Whilst scraping the paint tanks, holding hoses and washing the linemarker vehicle. | ||||
| Walking | X | Moving hoses. | ||||
| Kneeling/squatting | X | Connecting and disconnecting hoses from the bottom of the linemarker. | ||||
| Climbing - Ladder | X | Accessing supply truck. | ||||
| Climbing - Stairs | X | Accessing the line marker deck. | ||||
2. Lower Back Movement | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Bending forwards | X | Loading and unloading the drying agent containers. To view forklift and cargo positions. Whilst scraping the line marker lid. | ||||
| Stooping | X | Whilst scraping the line marker tanks. Whilst cleaning vehicle cabs. Using hoses from the bottom of the linemarker. | ||||
| Bending backwards | X | |||||
| Twisting/side bend | X | Loading and unloading the drying agent containers. To view forklift and cargo positions. | ||||
3. Neck Movement | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Flexion | X | Watching line marking guide and line marking in rear view mirror when in operation. Whilst looking into the paint tanks during scraping. | ||||
| Extension | X | To view forklift positions. | ||||
| Rotation | X | Observation of surroundings when operating fork lift or linemarker. | ||||
4. Upper Limb Movement | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Wide grip | X | Loading and unloading the drying agent containers. Gripping the scraper when cleaning paint tanks. | ||||
| Fine grip | X | |||||
| Forward reach | X | When scraping the paint tanks leaning forward. Whilst washing vehicle. Driving vehicles. | ||||
| Overhead reach | X | When scraping the bottom of the paint tanks. | ||||
| Side reach | X | Whilst using broom. | ||||
5. Weights and Forces | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Floor (kg) | 30 | Lifting used hoses. | ||||
| Bench (kg) | 30 | Manoeuvring the drying agent containers from the forklift to the truck bed. Holding hose to wash vehicle. Lifting new hoses. | ||||
| Shoulder (kg) | 10 | Holding hose to wash vehicle. When connecting or disconnecting hoses. | ||||
| Above shoulder (kg) | 20 | Lifting hoses onto the line marker vehicle hooks for storage. | ||||
| Carrying - Unilateral (kg) | 20 | |||||
| Carrying - Bilateral (kg) | 20 | Carrying hoses. | ||||
| Pushing (kg) | 30 | Manoeuvring the drying agent containers from the forklift to the truck bed. When scraping the linemarker paint tanks. | ||||
| Pulling (kg) | 30 | 45 | Manoeuvring drying agent containers from the forklift to the truck bed. When scraping the linemarker paint tanks. | |||
1: Never 0%; Rare 1 - 5%; Occasional 6 - 33%; Frequent 34 - 66%; Constant 67 - 100%
Whole Job Psychological Demands Summary
| Psychological demands | Frequency1 | Comments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Quantitative Demands | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Fast work pace or significant time pressure | X | During periods of high work volume. | ||||
| Low job autonomy/control | X | The tasks involved with the role are not modifiable. | ||||
| Repetitive or monotonous tasks | X | Regional driving and linemarker operations are repetitive and monotonous tasks. Scraping the line marker paint tanks | ||||
| Minimal training/education available | X | |||||
| Minimal tools/resources available | X | |||||
2. Cognitive Demands | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Requirement to keep focus on multiple items at once | X | Concentration on line marking position and live traffic. Maintain concentration during forklift operation. | ||||
| Requirement for sustained attention/vigilance | X | Workers must maintain vigilance when operating vehicles on roads. Constant assessment of line marker against guide. | ||||
| Requirement to make difficult or quick decisions | X | Live traffic and hazard management. | ||||
3. Emotional Demands | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Exposure likelihood to traumatic events | X | Potential for exposure to traumatic events on public roads. | ||||
| Customer facing or interacting with the public | X | Interactions with drivers on public roads. | ||||
| Requirement to hide emotional feelings | X | Working in small work groups for extended periods. | ||||
| Requirement for working in isolation | X | Working in remote areas on rural roads and in small work groups for extended periods of time. | ||||
1: Never 0%; Rare 1 - 5%; Occasional 6 - 33%; Frequent 34 - 66%; Constant 67 - 100%
Whole Job Environmental Demands Summary
| Environmental demands | Frequency1 | Comments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Physical Environment | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Uneven, sloped or slippery terrain | X | Potentially muddy or wet environment when working on the side of the road. | ||||
| Hand Arm Vibration | X | When operating the fork lift and linemarker. Whilst scraping the linemarker paint tanks. | ||||
| Whole Body Vibration | X | Operating the fork lift and trucks. | ||||
| Poor lighting | X | During night work. | ||||
2. Elemental Exposure | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Working in heat (>30C) | X | Dependent on time of year and location. | ||||
| Working in cold (<10C) | X | Dependent on time of year and location. | ||||
| Emergency weather conditions/events | X | Workers may be caught in unanticipated emergency conditions whilst driving between sites. | ||||
3. Hazardous Exposure | ||||||
| N | R | O | F | C | ||
| Dust or other airborne contaminants | X | When changing paint lines in windy, dusty environments. Airborne dried paint particulates can be created during cleaning. | ||||
| Noise | X | Forklift operation. During forklift operation from engine. Linemarker operation. | ||||
1: Never 0%; Rare 1 - 5%; Occasional 6 - 33%; Frequent 34 - 66%; Constant 67 - 100%
Task 1: Regional driving - 40%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- Workers are required to travel to sites in heavy vehicles on regional roads to conduct line marking.
- Average travel time for workers usually ranges from 2-3 hours a day.
- Workers may be required to drive for extended periods to reach remote locations.
- Whilst the linemarker is in operation the other workers drive nearby to alert traffic to the work in progress.
Key Demands
Sitting (C), Rotation (O), Wide grip (C), Forward reach (C), Repetitive or monotonous tasks (C), Requirement to keep focus on multiple items at once (O), Requirement for sustained attention/vigilance (F), Requirement to make difficult or quick decisions (O), Exposure likelihood to traumatic events (R), Requirement for working in isolation (O), Emergency weather conditions/events (R), Fine motor control (F)
Task 2: Line marker Operation - 35%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- One worker operates the line marker vehicle from the drivers seat at around 10km/h. The worker will focus on keeping the vehicle in the correct position to paint the road lines. This task is continued until a paint load is finished (1-2 hours). Crews swap operators, each load, day or week depending on their preference.
- Another worker will press the buttons to adjust the line marker sprays from the cab of the line marker e.g. double line, single dotted etc.
- The remaining vehicles and workers drive in front and behind of the line marker vehicle as guides and alert traffic to work being undertaken via electronic signals and signs.
Key Demands
Sitting (C), Twisting/side bend (O), Rotation (O), Wide grip (C), Forward reach (C), Repetitive or monotonous tasks (C), Requirement to keep focus on multiple items at once (F), Requirement for sustained attention/vigilance (C), Exposure likelihood to traumatic events (R), Whole Body Vibration (O), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O), Fine motor control (F)
Task 3: Housekeeping and on-hold (weather) - 10%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- Cleaning and general clean up of the warehouse when wet weather prevents line marking duties.
- Can include the use of brooms and general cleaning tasks of the small workshop area.
Key Demands
Twisting/side bend (O), Side reach (O), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O)
Task 4: Forklift Operation - 5%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- New paint and bead containers are fork lifted onto the truck.
- Empty containers are fork lifted from the truck.
Key Demands
Sitting (C), Twisting/side bend (O), Extension (O), Rotation (O), Wide grip (C), Forward reach (C), Requirement to keep focus on multiple items at once (O), Requirement for sustained attention/vigilance (F), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O), Noise (O), Fine motor control (F)
Task 5: Manual loading and unloading of supplies - 4%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- Emptied drying agent containers (3kg), are removed from the vehicle on return to the depot.
- Drying agent containers (40kg) are lifted by fork lift to the truck and manoeuvred manually into a steel cage without the need to fully lift the items.
Key Demands
Rotation (O), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O), Lifting from bench (30kg) (O), Pushing (30kg) (O), Pulling (30kg) (F)
Video link: Linemarker - Manual loading and unloading of supplies
Task 6: Cleaning/Scraping the paint tanks - 2%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- The linemarker is cleaned 3 times per year on average. This can take 1.5 days to complete.
- It involves scraping dried paint out of linemarker paint tanks (2-4 hours), the lid of the paint tanks (1-2 hours).
- Workers wear a protective mask to prevent inhalation of airborne particulates during the process
Key Demands
Stooping (F), Twisting/side bend (O), Overhead reach (O), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O), Dust or other airborne contaminants (O), Fine motor control (F)
Task 7: Replacing and connecting the linemarker hoses - 2%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- Dried paint accumulates in the lines of hoses and these are replaced every few months.
- The used hoses are heavier due to the dried paint due to dried paint, stiffness and cold weather worsens further.
- The hoses can be awkward to carry and may involve lifting overhead.
Key Demands
Kneeling/squatting (O), Wide grip (C), Working in heat (>30C) (O), Working in cold (<10C) (O), Lifting overhead (20kg) (O), Lifting from floor and bench (20kg) (O), Pulling (20kg) (O), Fine motor control (O)
Task 8: Cleaning the linemarker vehicle and gun heads - 2%
Physical demand | Psychological demand | Environmental demand |
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Task Description
- The linemarker guns and gun carriage are washed down.
- The vehicle exterior is washed.
- The vehicle cabs are cleaned.
- Spray gun heads are cleaned.
Key Demands
Stooping (O), Twisting/side bend (O), Overhead reach (O), Forward reach (O) Dust or other airborne contaminants (O)
Key information
Demand rating is calculated via an algorithm based upon the relative weighting and frequency of the physical, environmental and psychological sub-tasks (e.g. squatting has a higher weighting than standing or walking).
This data may vary depending on production rates, changes in design or work organisation and staffing levels. This report was prepared by a trained and qualified health and safety professional within the TfNSW Occupational Health Team and reviewed by relevant Health and Safety, and operational stakeholders.
JDAs are periodically updated by the TfNSW Occupational Health Team or sooner where significant changes have been identified. For the latest version of this JDA, please always refer to this link rather than saving an offline copy.
For further information please contact occupational.health@transport.nsw.gov.au.