This article discusses WHS responsibilities for trip hazards in small strata schemes in NSW and how hazards like uneven driveways should be managed.
Question: Do we have to follow a WHS report recommending yellow markings and signage for trip hazards on a small strata driveway?
We are a small strata complex of five villas, about 25 years old, with a shared common driveway leading to our individual garages. All residents are retired or semi retired owner occupiers.
On our strata manager’s advice, we arranged a work health and safety report. We have addressed most items, but one issue remains.
The driveway is stamped decorative concrete, long, and slightly undulating in places that are not always obvious. The report says we must highlight all edges, drains, and non level areas with yellow non slip paint and install a “shared pedestrian zone” sign at the entrance to minimise any potential trip hazards.
All owners agree this would look unsightly, detract from the complex, and feels unnecessary for a small scheme. We have not seen other small strata complexes with this type of driveway marking.
Do we have to implement these specific markings and signs, or can we use a less industrial option, such as a smaller sign and more subtle markings, for example, in light grey instead of bright yellow?
Answer: Dealing with safety issues requires consideration of a hierarchy of controls. This methodology prioritises removing a risk rather than relying on human behaviour to address an issue.
Undulating, uneven, and disjointed driveways are a common occurrence in strata properties, small and large, and also a common cause of tripping/falling incidents across the country. Maintenance and remediation of damaged or irregular surface finishes should be part of any property’s ongoing maintenance budget.
Based on the information you have provided, the advice appears sound. The signage at the complex’s entry would advise residents and visitors to maintain a low speed and reduce the likelihood of an impact incident. It will warn vehicles of the undulating concrete.
However, smaller complexes need to consider that their driveway is not just for vehicles but also serves as the pathway for the property, and therefore, increased maintenance obligations may need to be considered over and above those that would normally be required for vehicles. Dealing with safety issues requires consideration of a hierarchy of controls. This methodology prioritises removing a risk rather than relying on human behaviour to address an issue. The best way to deal with a hazard is to eliminate it: repair the undulation, repair any uneven drains, and remove any lips that may result in an incident. As an alternative, highlighting the areas would be considered an administrative control designed to change how people act in the area.
Therefore, the recommended highlighting is not to “minimise any potential trip hazards” but to draw attention to them in an effort to avoid potential incidents. Yellow is the preferred colour, as it remains bright, is highly visible to area users, and is actually quite commonly used for this purpose. Alternative colours may be considered so long as they are sufficiently contrasting to the surrounding colours to achieve the same goal. For this reason, grey is not usually a good colour.
Ultimately, any highlighting should be considered a short term option as the long term benefit of the property will be best served by repairing the affected areas.
Craig Welsh QIA Group E: info@qiagroup.com.au P: 1300 309 201
This post appears in the April 2026 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
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