ALRTA News – 25 August 2017

GETTING STARTED ON CODES OF PRACTICE

The ALRTA Executive Director attended a two day ‘Technical Writers Workshop’, jointly hosted by ATA and ALC, to commence developing an industry ‘master code of practice’.

The master code will cut across all areas of the HVNL and be relevant to all operators.  It will assist operators to understand primary duties, due diligence, risk identification and development of appropriate controls.  Importantly, establishing one common master code will reduce overlap and duplication across all other industry codes that may later be developed.

The ALRTA has separately applied to develop a registered code of practice for effluent control – so it is vitally important that our work can interface seamlessly with the master code project.  The master code will cover load restraint in general, whereas our effluent code will provide much greater detail about how to deal with particular types of risk.

This workshop marks the start of a longer process and we will keep you informed as the codes are developed.

FASTER PERMIT RENEWALS

Did you know that the NHVR has the ability to automatically re-issue permit renewals when road managers have exceeded the 14 day period to respond?

To ensure a seamless renewal process you need to get your application in at least 14 days before expiry of your permit. You can apply up to six weeks in advance.

If you are unable to submit 14 days in advance, but get your application in before the permit has expired, the NHVR can still expedite the application BUT must wait a full 14 days for road managers to respond before issuing the permit.  This means there will be a gap between the expiry date and when you get a renewed permit even if things go smoothly.

If your application is submitted after the expiry date the NHVR is unable to expedite the application and it will be treated like a new application.

It also pays to provide the NHVR with as much information as possible in your initial application e.g. vehicle details, manufacturers letters, route details, description of location, description of the load etc.

ACT CLASS 1 PERMITS RETURN TO NHVR

Roads ACT will hand back the processing of Class 1 heavy vehicle permit applications for the Australian Capital Territory to the NHVR on 28 August 2017.

NHVR will now process all heavy vehicle permit applications for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles in the ACT.  For more information click here.

ANIMAL WELFARE CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Is your transport business ready to deal with major animal welfare crisis?  Do you have systems in place to identify and monitor your risks?  Are you aware of your duties?  Do you have an action plan in place?

If not, there is a new online tool that can help.

The National Primary Industries Animal Welfare Research, Development and Extension Strategy has consulted with industry, governments and the community to produce an online ‘Toolkit to Guide Livestock Animal Welfare Contingency Planning’.

The toolkit includes sections for beef, sheep (& goats), pigs, dairy, poultry, feedlots and transport.

Here are some handy documents for transporters:

DESIGN AND USE OF CATTLE CRATES

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has released a Guide to Safe Use and Design of Cattle Crates.

The Guide provides principles and examples of the safe use and design of crates to reduce the risk of common safety hazards when working on cattle crates.  It applies to new or retro-fit of older crates and includes a number of innovative solutions that are currently being used.

Further information about the factors that impact on the design of cattle crates and opportunities to progress design improvements can be found in the project report Improving the Design of Cattle Crates: Making it Safer for Operators.

SECURITY GUIDE FOR TRUCK DRIVERS AND OPERATORS

The Australian Government has developed a Security Guide for Truck Drivers and Operators, in response to the use of trucks in attacks on crowded places overseas.  It will assist drivers and owner operators with some practical security guidance. It incorporates:

  • the relevant threat context;
  • security measures that can be taken;
  • indicators and warnings to assist in attack mitigation; and
  • how to report to law enforcement.

The guidance can be found here.

MENTAL HEALTH IN SMALL BUSINESS

Owning or working in small business can sometimes feel like a roller-coaster ride.  With so much at stake the constant mental pressure can really take its toll.

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health is conducting important research to guide the development of new programs to enhance mental health and wellbeing in the small business sector.

They need your perspective on mental health challenges within the workplace, accessibility of health programs and the types of programs that may be most suitable.   The 100% confidential survey is available to everyone – you don’t have to have experienced a mental health challenge.

To complete the research survey, click here.

FREIGHT AND SUPPLY CHAIN PRIORITIES

The ALRTA recently made a detailed submission to the Australian Government Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities.  We made recommendations in three priority areas:

  1. Heavy vehicle charging and investment reform – including discontinuing overcharging and moving to independent charging decision making;
  2. Improving road service level standards – including establishing a special fund to immediately commence work on upgrading important regional freight and tourism routes and considering the need for managed effluent disposal sites; and
  3. Improving road access for high productivity vehicles.

Now it is your turn to have a say on the potential changes to our freight and supply chains that might occur over the next 20 years.   The survey is anonymous and takes no more than 30min.

Click here to participate.

REVIEW OF SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN

The Australian Government has found that the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is a highly effective advocate for small business.

You probably last heard about the ASBFEO when it came to aid of owner drivers facing ruin thanks to the Road Safely Remuneration Tribunal.  The ASBFEO pulled no punches even though it was up against a fellow government agency.

You can read the review report here.

LOAD RESTRAINT TRAINING

One of the highlights from the 2017 ALRTA-LRTAQ Joint National-State Conference was the presentation on roll-overs given by the very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Mike Robertson (Engistics).  Mike is presenting in-depth load restraint training over a full day in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth during September 2017.

To find out more click here.