Issue 124 | 22 June 2021

Our Prosecutions team, in partnership with Victoria Police, filed charges against an operator, its executive and employees following a tragic incident last year where a heavy vehicle hit and killed four police officers in Victoria. These Chain of Responsibility charges are significant and serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring safe transport activities, no matter what your role in your organisation. Everyone in the industry has a responsibility to maintain the highest levels of safety on and off the road and the NHVR will continue to ensure that any safety breaches are fully investigated under the Heavy Vehicle Nation Law. Our thoughts remain with the family, friends and colleagues of those officers who lost their lives in this tragedy. Having a Safety Management System (SMS) in place is one way to mitigate the risk of safety and compliance breaches occurring in your organisation. I encourage owners and individuals to take advantage of our 9 Step SMS Roadmap and see how it can provide advantages for you and your safety. Finally, it’s important we all continue to play our part in following the health directives and advice in relation to COVID-19. One piece of critical information relates to vaccines and an increasing request by Chief Health Officers to be vaccinated prior to travelling to other states and territories.  I’m fully vaccinated and it’s encouraging to see and hear of so many NHVR staff and people across the industry that are also vaccinated. As always, please remember to keep an eye on the latest COVID-19 information and importantly, updates on vaccine requirements to cross borders at www.nhvr.gov.au/coronavirus Sal, CEO

Taskforce Paragon: NHVR to prosecute Chain of Responsibility charges

Charges have been filed at Paramatta Local Court following a comprehensive 18-month investigation by Victoria Police detectives. Taskforce Paragon was established to investigate an incident on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne in which a heavy vehicle hit and killed four Victoria Police officers while they were conducting a roadside intercept on 22 April 2020. NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said the charges have been laid after multiple and critical breaches of the HVNL were identified. “These charges stem from an extensive interstate investigation by Victoria Police into the actions of the transport operator, its executive and its employees,” Ms Hughes said. “This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the consequences that can occur when there is a failure to ensure safe transport activities.” > For more information on these charges, click here

Company nominates an enforceable undertaking over driver fine

The NHVR has accepted an enforceable undertaking (EU) made by Eifers Pty Ltd (Eifers) to the value of $44,000 in preference to obtaining a court ordered penalty against one of the company’s drivers.  NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said this EU was an example of an operator taking an active role in setting the standard for the safety and wellbeing of their staff. “Here we see an operator volunteer to improve its safety systems and demonstrate the importance of shared responsibility in ensuring safe operations on and off the road,” she said. “The measures committed by Eifers in this enforceable undertaking include industry-specific training on safety and risk management for all staff, in order to achieve fast and measurable improvements for its business operations.” > Click here to read the full article

Funding boost for heavy vehicle safety projects

The NHVR has released details of the recipient of almost $5.5 million in 28 road safety projects through the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI). Round 6 of the HVSI includes backing for new education, research, training and technology initiatives that aim to deliver improved safety outcomes for the heavy vehicle industry and wider community. > To read more, including the full list of successful projects, click here

Virtual primary producer safety days for NSW farmers

Virtual field days are becoming the new normal for NSW farmers with 75 people attending a series of safety sessions hosted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Councils. The Road Ready for Harvest Virtual Field Day was also supported by Transport for NSW, NSW Farmers, the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police and the NHVR to assist farmers to prepare their heavy vehicle safety systems ahead of the 2021 harvest. > Click here for more information on the safety days

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 Consultation

The NHVR has recently drafted a new Modification Code for the Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) 6: National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications. All interested operators and supply chain parties are invited to comment on the proposed Modification Code J4 – Tipper Bodies. A public consultation draft of the proposed Code is available for review on the NHVR’s website, with consultation closing on 19 October 2021. > For more information about the VSB6 review, or to provide your feedback, click here

Victoria Class Mobile Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice

The Victoria Class 1 4-axle & 5-axle All Terrain Mobile Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice has recently been updated to reduce operators’ administrative workload and increase flexibility in choice of approved intelligent transport system.  The NHVR has worked with VicRoads to remove the requirement for contacting the Victorian Transport Compliance Unit when crossing rail tracks, and operators can now have either Intelligent Access Program (IAP) or Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) as their preferred telematics monitoring system.  The Notice also removes a redundant vehicle standards exemption and requirement; otherwise, there are no changes to the exemptions, networks or conditions.   > Click here to read the Victoria Class 1 4-Axle & 5-Axle All Terrain Mobile Crane Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No.2) > Click here to view the supporting information sheet

Take care during COVID-19

As the pandemic continues, the NHVR is reminding industry to keep up-to-date with the latest directives, border and vaccination requirements for freight workers travelling across the country.  > For the latest updates, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/coronavirus