Issue 138 | 28 April 2022

It’s been a particularly busy two weeks on our roads with school holidays, and the Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends. I’d like to thank everyone in the heavy vehicle industry for your commitment to your own safety and the safety of other roads users during this time. This week we released our latest regulatory advice, which focuses on the construction industry. It reminds heavy vehicle operators and their executives of their Chain of Responsibility legal obligations, and how to manage safety risks and hazards. You can read more below. We know safety extends beyond transport activities, and having regular and meaningful conversations with your workmates can make all the difference to each other’s mental health. Healthy Heads in Truck & Sheds Foundation and R U OK? is inviting the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain to host their own R U OK? in Trucks & Sheds event on 17 May. I encourage you to get involved, continue to check in with one another and ask, are you OK? Sal, CEO

Company and manager charged for chicken truck crash

Charges have been laid against a transport company and sub-contracted manager after a heavy vehicle transporting live chickens crashed at Remembrance Drive in Cardigan, Victoria, in February 2020. Victoria Police Heavy Vehicle Unit conducted an extensive investigation into the crash, which led to the current category 1 and 2 charges under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The charges refer to a breach of duty creating risk of serious injury, illness, or death. NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said the heavy vehicle driver, who had told his boss he needed to rest, was lucky to escape with his life. “The company and manager are now being charged with the most serious offences under the HVNL for failing to fulfil their primary duty obligations, which put the driver and other road users at serious risk,” Belinda said. The matter will next be heard on 20 May 2022 at The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in Victoria.

Regulatory Advice for heavy vehicles in the construction industry now available

Managing the hazards and risks associated with heavy vehicles in the construction industry is the latest subject in the NHVR’s new regulatory advice series. Based on reports from compliance officers and the 2021 National Roadworthiness Survey, heavy vehicles have an observed pattern of non-compliance when used in construction activities. As projects pick up across the country, the NHVR will be increasing its safety and compliance activities, with a focus on Chain of Responsibility (CoR) in the construction industry. The regulatory advice explains the CoR laws and is tailored to address the concerns of industry executives as well as heavy vehicle operators. For construction company or construction contractor executives: read ‘Managing the risks of heavy vehicle transport activities in the construction industry – Principal Contractor’ For construction heavy vehicle operators and their executives: read ‘Managing the risks of heavy vehicle transport activities in the construction industry – Operators’ We will keep you updated as more topics are added to the series. In the meantime, you can view more regulatory advice here.

R U OK? in Trucks & Sheds

R U OK? and Healthy Heads in Truck & Sheds have teamed up to ensure those in the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries know when and how to meaningfully connect and genuinely ask “Are you OK?” Life’s ups and downs happen to us all, but those working in the road transport, warehousing, and logistics industries can face unique challenges. Tight deadlines, long hours, shift work and isolation are all factors that contribute to feeling less connected. One thing we can all do, is drive conversations with our work mates who might be doing it tough, to help them feel connected and supported at work. Show your support by hosting an ‘R U OK? in Trucks & Sheds’ event at your workplace on 17 May 2022. > Click here for more information and register your R U OK? in Trucks & Sheds event

Performance Based Standards access to the road network

The NHVR would like to remind owners of Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicle combinations to check that their PBS Vehicle Approval (VA) is valid and up to date. Please be aware that the PBS Vehicle Approval is not an authorisation to access the road network. You must comply with the relevant Notice or obtain an access permit. To apply for an access permit, please visit the NHVR Portal. For more information on PBS Notices visit: National Class 2 PBS Level 1 & 2a Truck and Dog Trailer Authorisation Notice 2021 (No.1) National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (Tier 1) Authorisation Notice 2021 Got questions? Email us info@nhvr.gov.au with ‘Attn PBS’ in the email subject line.

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