Issue 136 | 29 March 2022

The Easter school holiday period is fast approaching, and it’s an important time to think about road safety for everyone travelling on our roads. I urge everyone to chat to their mates about how they can make our roads safer for heavy vehicle drivers. If you have a mate who is taking their caravan on the road this Easter, remind them and encourage them to talk to their other mates about the importance of leaving space at rest stops for heavy vehicle drivers who rely on these spots to manage their fatigue. Or if you have a mate who’s an L or P plater, or a light vehicle driver – point them to our Don’t #uck With A Truck or We Need Space campaigns. Explain to them the importance of leaving space for heavy vehicles to turn or brake, and why patience is critical when overtaking. The more your mates understand about heavy vehicle safety, the safer our roads will be this Easter. Keep an eye on our social media channels for more videos and information over the Easter break. Have a safe and happy Easter, wherever you’re travelling. Sal, CEO

Bustle EWD seventh to get NHVR green light

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has approved a seventh Electronic Work Diary (EWD) option, with Bustle Technology’s EWD now available. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said operators are starting to reap the benefits of EWDs – and not just through better fatigue management and driver safety, but also though productivity gains. “For example, Bustle’s EWD complements its existing end-to-end Transport Management System solution, which includes compliance, workshop, operations and finance modules,” Sal said. “By wrapping as many solutions as possible into their software and aligning it with the Industry Master Code of Practice, Bustle is enabling transport operators to run compliant operations with fewer systems. > Click here to read the full Bustle EWD article

Regulatory Advice addresses the risks of alcohol and drug impairment

The NHVR has released new regulatory advice on managing the risks associated with alcohol and other drug use in the workplace. This latest regulatory advice is aimed at both heavy vehicle operators and other parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and their executives. An employee’s fitness for duty is fundamental to safety and is a critical factor in a heavy vehicle business’s duty to ensure the safety of its transport activities. In addition to the obvious safety hazards to drivers, workers, other road users and the general public, workers impaired by alcohol or drugs (including prescribed prescription medications) can also impact a business’s ability to meet its lawful HVNL and workplace health and safety obligations. This new guidance from the NHVR explains who has a lawful duty to manage these risks and offers proactive suggestions for heavy vehicle businesses wanting to get ahead of the issue and develop an alcohol and drug impairment risk management plan. Read the new regulatory advice here. More regulatory advice will be released in the coming weeks and industry is encouraged to provide feedback via the NHVR website.

South-West Victoria Livestock Exchange effluent disposal pit underway

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) is partnering with Warrnambool City Council to establish a livestock effluent disposal pit at Warrnambool’s South-West Victoria Livestock Exchange (SWVLX). ALRTA President Scott McDonald said managing effluent in transit was a significant challenge for ALRTA’s members. “Effluent capture tanks installed on purpose-built livestock trailers do a reasonable job of containment however there is a consequential need for transporters to access suitable facilities for effluent disposal when tanks become full in transit and at ‘end of journey’ facilities,” Scott said. The project is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government. > Click here to read more about the site

Register now for your free Fatigue Choices consultation

The next round of our popular Fatigue Choices program is now open to operators who wish to learn more about flexible fatigue management options for their business. The program includes free, one-on-one consultations where operators can discuss their fatigue management options with a member of the NHVR’s Fatigue and Human Factors team. NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said the program would help operators ensure their business was making the most of existing fatigue laws. “With revised Fatigue Management Standards now in place, it’s a perfect opportunity for operators to consider Advanced Fatigue Management to achieve greater flexibility with work and rest hours,” Andreas said. “Applying for AFM doesn’t have to be a difficult process, but it does require a commitment by the business and staff to some additional safety measures. “Our Fatigue Choices sessions are conducted online, take less than an hour, and there’s nothing operators need to do to prepare.” Sessions will be available until the end of April and book out quickly, so please register your interest here.

Grape expectations this harvest season

The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles transporting grapes to pay attention to their mass, loading, fatigue and work and rest hour requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The reminder comes after grape spillage was found at major intersections and heavy vehicles transporting grapes inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers were found to be non-compliant. Find out more about having a safe and fruitful grape season

Always load to legal

Operators must also remember the nationally agreed mass measurement adjustment process only applies when an authorised officer weighs a heavy vehicle for compliance purposes. Mass measurement adjustment makes it fairer when your vehicle’s being weighed, as different weighing equipment, measuring methods, inspection sites and surrounding conditions may impact slightly on the measurement outcomes. Mass measurement adjustment isn’t a tolerance – and it doesn’t mean you can allow yourself that little bit extra when you’re calculating the mass of your load. If you do, you’ll be over your mass limit, and that’s an offence! For more information, visit the NHVR’s Measurement adjustment webpage

Industry events

Stay up to date with industry events and forums. Visit our Events page for more details on what’s coming up.

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