Issue 134 | 2 March 2022

Over the last week we’ve seen intense rainfall and flash-flooding devastate parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, and anyone whose home or property has been impacted. As a nation we continue to be challenged, and I’m always proud to see the community come together with emergency services to help save lives and livelihoods. As this weather system moves south, I urge everyone to follow the advice and remain safe. I’d like to thank the heavy vehicle industry for continuing to prioritise safety as a large number of roads and bridges remain closed across Queensland and New South Wales. Conditions on the network are continuing to change, so I urge all operators to plan their journey and take steps to ensure safe travel when operating in and around affected areas. In this edition of On the Road, we’ve provided advice about safely accessing flood-affected areas, and we have a dedicated webpage with useful links that will help operators stay up to date with local conditions. As always, if you need network access assistance, you can contact our team on 13 NHVR (13 6487). Stay safe, and please remember – if it’s flooded, forget it! Sal, CEO

Heavy vehicle access across flood-affected areas

Heavy vehicle operators should take the following steps when accessing flood-affected areas. Check the local road conditions through state road manager websites. A list of websites with the latest information about road conditions can be found here. If travelling in an affected area, check with local emergency services or recovery operations. Ensure your vehicle is able to travel on the existing network. If you’re travelling outside of these networks, you may need to obtain a permit through the NHVR Portal or call 13 NHVR (13 64 87) for assistance. Avoid using back tracks or off-network roads to get around road closures.

Helping prevent executive CoR safety failures

The NHVR has accepted an enforceable undertaking (EU) from two former directors of ex-mining company Goondicum Resources, Mark McCauley and Jonathan Mattiske. It is a reminder to other executives who fail to meet their Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) obligations. The EU stems from an NHVR investigation into the company’s safety policies and procedures, following the death of a haulage contractor on 17 May 2019 at Monto in Queensland. NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said the directors were charged with failing to exercise due diligence to ensure safe transport activities. “As part of the EU, the directors will pay for the development of a due diligence manual for executives to understand their obligations in the Chain of Responsibility under the HVNL,” Belinda said. > To read more about the EU, click here

NHVR accepts first sole trader enforceable undertaking from Victorian farmer

The NHVR has accepted its first enforceable undertaking (EU) from a Victorian sole trader and farmer after he failed to comply with his vehicle’s mass requirements when transporting potatoes. An investigation by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers found that on 17 July 2020 the steer axle of the heavy vehicle owned by Gavin Bone weighed 8850kg – 147% over the allowed limit of 6000kg. NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said this EU demonstrates how this alternative avenue to prosecution could be effective for small operators. “An EU is designed so that instead of paying fines it's instead spent on improving safety,” Belinda said. “In this case, we determined that more safety benefits would be achieved from an EU, for both Mr Bone and the wider farming industry.”  Under the EU, Mr Bone must complete a personalised mass management course and share his learnings with the farming community in a paid advertisement in Seed Potatoes Victoria annual guide. > Find out more about the sole trader EU

New web content provides helpful legal resources

New information and resources are now available on the NHVR website for heavy vehicle operators and others in the Chain of Responsibility on what to expect if they have to attend court. The information provides a step-by-step, common-sense approach for anyone unfamiliar with legal proceedings on topics like how to prepare for court, tips when attending court, how to lodge an appeal and understanding common legal terms. > Explore the new legal proceedings web pages here

Don’t risk a rollover when transporting hay bales

The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles and heavy vehicle combinations transporting round hay bales to restrain bales safely and in compliance with the loading requirements in the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The reminder comes after an increased number of heavy vehicles inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers found round hay bales were not adequately secured or were not secured using an appropriate restraint method.  Poorly loaded or inadequately restrained loads can cause hay bales to dislodge or fall, posing a significant safety risk to workers and other road users.  > For more information on how to restrain bales safely, click here

Healthy Heads hits the road with major mental health initiative

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (HHTS) has today launched the Roadshow; a mental health outreach program to support the health and wellbeing of the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain. Developed by PACCAR Australia, its dealers and the Australian Trucking Association, the Roadshow will provide tailored resources and practical mental health advice to truck drivers, and warehouse and distribution centre staff at 18 industry events across the country in 2022. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said with close to half a million heavy vehicles on our roads, improving the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in the industry was a priority for the NHVR, and pivotal in keeping all road users safe. The Roadshow is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government.

Cancellation of temporary variation to Queensland Police Service escorting arrangements

With the reopening of Queensland's borders to interstate and overseas travellers, traffic on the state's roads is returning to pre-COVID-19 levels. To ensure the safety of all road users, the temporary escort variation implemented in Queensland in October 2021 for Class 1 Oversize and Overmass movements not exceeding 5.5m wide and 35m long will end atmidnight on Friday 4 March.   Operators must then go back to following the escort conditions in their NHVR-issued permit.

Supplementary access notices

The National Class 3 Supplementary Access (Western Australia Assistance) Exemption Notice 2022 (No.2) is extended until 13 March 2022 to allow increased freight capacity on alternative road networks between South Australia to Western Australia.   > Click here for more information on the supplementary access notices

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