Issue 93 | 11 August 2020

As we move through a year that has thrown up some of the biggest challenges many of us have ever faced, the NHVR remains committed to supporting and working with operators on ways to do things differently, innovate and come out of this stronger. For example, nobody considered a few months ago that the inclusion of open service centres and truck-friendly COVID-19 testing centres would be an essential layer on our heavy vehicle route planner. Or that cabin hygiene, border passes and facemask protocols would become an important item for every truckie safety briefing. Now more than ever, the priority of all parties in the heavy vehicle supply chain needs to be on ensuring safety. At the same time the NHVR is working hard to coordinate, collate and provide the most accurate, timely information from state governments and road managers. We will endeavour to keep you informed as things evolve. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of different people from across all parts of the heavy vehicle industry over the past few weeks. Whether I’m talking to drivers, operators, government or other people in the supply chain something that comes up time and time again is that the success of our industry is grounded in all stakeholders working together to embrace the future, in pursuit of a safer, more productive network for everyone. Sal Sal

Freight border crossing updates

The NHVR has been advised of a number of ongoing changes for essential travellers, including anyone moving freight, particularly changes to COVID-19 testing requirements when crossing state borders. National Cabinet has agreed to the Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol. These will be implemented over the coming days, on a state by state basis. The National Freight protocol could commence as early as Wednesday, however each individual state has up until Monday 17 August to implement the protocol. The NHVR is encouraging all operators to commence as soon as possible implementing within their business a framework that will cover the “Enforceable Measures” outlined in the protocol. Recent changes include: Queensland government has declared NSW and the ACT as Covid-19 Hotspots. There is also a new dedicated Freight Pass and we encourage all essential freight workers to start applications for the new F code permits as soon as is practical. Apply for the Freight Pass here In Victoria, workers in permitted industries must carry a Worker Permit issued and signed by their employer while within the Melbourne area. This includes the freight industry. The form requires details of essential work activity on a rolling seven-day schedule. Click for more information about Victoria Work Permits

Have you got another question about coronavirus changes?

A lot may have changed across the heavy vehicle industry over the past few months, but safety still comes first. Check out the latest advice for heavy vehicle operators at www.nhvr.gov.au/coronavirus If you have any questions that we haven’t answered on this page you can contact us by phone on 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487), by email at info@nhvr.gov.au or by sending us a message on Facebook.

WA company prosecuted for fatigue breaches

The depot manager of a Western Australian transport company was convicted in South Australia under the Heavy Vehicle National Law for critical breaches of fatigue regulations. It follows an investigation after drivers from the company were intercepted by NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers near Ceduna, South Australia. > Read the full story here

Don’t pressure truckies as COVID restriction starts

The NHVR has again reiterated that trucking industry customers must not make demands that would affect safety if there are delays due to COVID restrictions. The NHVR joined the Australian Trucking Association to reinforce that the Heavy Vehicle National Law imposed duties on the trucking industry’s customers as well as trucking businesses. > Read the full statement here

NHVR thanks outgoing ATA CEO

The NHVR has thanked outgoing Australian Trucking Association (ATA) CEO Ben Maguire for his services to the heavy vehicle industry after his recent announcement that he would step down. Mr Maguire had been a strong advocate for heavy vehicle industry safety reform and productivity. > Read the full statement here

Funding boost to drive heavy vehicle safety

Twenty-six projects aimed at saving lives and reducing road trauma will share in $5.9 million under Round 5 of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. The list of projects was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack recently. They include projects such as developing or testing innovative new technologies, mental health support for drivers, educational campaigns and much-needed training and development. The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program funds initiatives that will deliver safety benefits for the heavy vehicle industry and other road users. It is administered by the NHVR on behalf of the Commonwealth Government and has provided $22.8 million for 89 HVSI grants over the past five years. > Read the full statement here > Click here for more information on the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative

Code of Practice for Australian wine industry

One of the key projects funded under Round 5 of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative will be a heavy vehicle Code of Practice, developed for the Australian wine industry. The Code will be an important step to improve road safety and assist the industry in meeting their Chain of Responsibility obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Under Chain of Responsibility obligations, everyone involved in the wine supply chain shares responsibility for ensuring the safe transportation of goods. Read the full announcement from the South Australian Wine Industry Association here. > Click here for the media release

Join Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds launch

Log on to join the launch of Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (HHTS) – a major new industry-driven initiative focused on delivering better mental health outcomes in the road transport and logistics industries. The NHVR has joined with leading transport companies to support HHTS and its goal to deliver a single national mental health plan for the sector. The key pillars of the program are: An increase in the number of people trained in mental health at transport and logistics facilities Standardisation of policies and regulation at these facilities Helping the individual be healthier from a diet and mental health perspective Join the HHTS official launch on 18 August 2020 via a 30 minute live streamed Q&A-style program where a panel of industry leaders, drivers, government representatives and leaders within the mental health space will all join in a candid conversation around mental health and wellness in the road transport and logistics industries. > Click here to register

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