DEAN CLARKE WINS 2017 SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD
The recipient of the 2017 NHVR – ALRTA Safety Innovation Award is Dean Clarke from Hopkins Transport in New South Wales.
The NHVR-ALRTA Safety Innovation Award is a joint Government-Industry initiative that recognised rural road transport operators who have identified Heavy Vehicle National Law related safety risks and implemented successful, innovative control measures.
Dean received a $5,000 safety development fund co-funded by BP and the NHVR to encourage both individual and organisational continuous improvement in relation to safety.
Photo: Winner – Dean Clarke (middle) with Geoff Casey-NHVR (second from right), Kevin Keenan-ALRTA (second from left), Jaimin Piggott (right) and Jean Claude Estelle (left) from BP Australia.
ALRTA National President, Kevin Keenan said that Dean has won this award because he has taken a proactive approach to safety and has made a significant difference in the way his organisation operates.
“He has instilled an emphasis on correctly and consistently performing safe operating procedures through the roll out of an organisation-wide program at Hopkins Transport,” said Mr Keenan.
Dean will use the prize of a $5,000 development fund (co-funded by BP) to undertake a psychology course which will better equip him to roll-out his program even further.
“The psychology course would help me to train drivers better by being able to tap into the different motivations of individual drivers and relate on a more meaningful level,” said Mr Clarke.
“I am very pleased to receive this award, it has motivated me to continue to find ways to improve safety in my organisation.”
NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto says that safety is paramount to the NHVR and this award was one way to recognise that.
“Our goal is to encourage operators to do everything they can to have the appropriate safety procedures in place. Judging by the interest in this award, that goal appears to be on track.
“We are delighted to see that ALRTA members such as Dean Clarke and the industry in general are thinking safety first,” Mr Petroccitto said.
The award was announced at the LRTAV Conference on 11 August 2017 in Torquay, Victoria.
ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL
Eighteen ALRTA state association representatives and observers attended the ALRTA National Council meeting and Annual General Meeting in Torquay, Victoria on 10 August 2017.
Some of the topics discussed included:
- ALRTA Building: A tenant has been secured on a 3 year lease. Income will be used to offset the rent payable on our new office.
- Partnership Proposal: Council approved in principle a new partnership with a trade supplier that will provide benefits directly to grass-roots members. Look out for more news soon.
- National Conference: New financial arrangements were agreed to support the host of the joint state-national conference.
- Effluent: Council endorsed proposed changes to the load restraint guide as well as a sustainable funding model for the installation of roadside infrastructure.
- User-Pay Frame Project: The proposed research methodology was thoroughly discussed.
- Fatigue: Council endorsed proposed work and rest hours for a new AFM template that may enable recognition of fatigue systems across the WA border.
- ALRTA Priorities: All member states and chapters proposed policy priorities for 2017-18.
The ALRTA National Council will next meet in Canberra on 3 November 2017.
ALRTA MEMBER CHAPTER
The ALRTA Large and National Operators Chapter met via teleconference on 9 August 2017 to discuss the papers for the ALRTA National Council Meeting. The Chapter was represented at the ALRTA Council Meeting by Sam O’Sullivan and Jason Thornhill.
HEAVY VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
ALRTA National Partner, King Bars, advises members that heavy vehicle modification standards are changing.
The changes will occur when version 3 of Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VDB6): National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications comes into force on 1 September 2017.
It will now be more important than ever to ensure that your bulbar provider can meet the new requirements front underrun protection device approval, installation and certification.
Members can access a factsheet on the changes kindly provided by King Bars.
TRUCKSAFE: ANIMAL WELFARE MODULE
TruckCare is now known as TruckSafe: Animal Welfare Module.
The new name was launched this week at the South Eastern Livestock Exchange (SELX) near Yass, NSW. Dignitaries speaking at the event included ATA CEO Ben Maguire, LBRCA President Linley Miners, TruckSafe Director Graham Emery and SELX Manager Rod Bourlet.
Photo: LBRCA President Linley Miners
To celebrate the launch, TruckSafe and LBRCA announced that LBRCA Young Driver of the Year, Reggie Sutton, will enter the accreditation system as an ambassador for the next 12 months.
The Animal Welfare Module, which is unique to TruckSafe, is the voluntary sixth step in the process to gaining full accreditation. The first five standards are:
- Management
- Maintenance
- Training
- On-road Compliance
- Fitness for Duty and Driver Health
Being part of the Animal Welfare Module will not only enable your business to demonstrate compliance with all legal requirements, it will also signals to customers and the community that you are striving to achieve best practice in livestock carriage.
Click here for more information on TruckSafe.
CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY FORUMS
Chain of responsibility (CoR) laws will change from July 2018. Your business must be ready.
The NHVR has announced that 26 CoR forums will be held across Australia in October 2017. We will alert you to dates and venues when the information is available.
LRTAV ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The ALRTA National President and Executive Director attended the LRTAV Annual Conference in Torquay, Victoria 11-12 August 2017.
The program kicked off of Friday with nine holes of golf on the rather challenging course at the RACV Resort. You can’t beat the view from the rooms or the course! On Friday afternoon delegates heard about chain of responsibility changes, eye tracking technology, workplace health and safety, TruckSafe, user-pay frames, braking, charging and fatigue.
The Saturday session was opened by the Victorian State Member for South-West Coast, Roma Britnell MP – a dairy farmer from Woolsthorpe who clearly understands the needs of rural and regional Victorians. Over the day delegates heard presentations on effluent management, Q fever, electronic livestock tags before breaking into groups to discuss livestock, bulk and regional issues.
The social scene was great too with dinners, auctions, awards and of course casual catchups around the trade booths and bar. ALRTA congratulates the outstanding award winners:
- Shane Knight Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Industry: MC Herd
- Young Driver of the Year: Neil Winslade (O’Sullivan’s)
- ·ALRTA-NHVR Safety Innovation Award: Dean Clarke (Hopkins Transport – NSW)
ELECTION RESULTS: LRTAV AGM
The ALRTA congratulates the following office bearers re-elected at the LRTAV AGM on 12 August 2017:
- President: Graham Howell
- Vice President: David Rogers
- Vice President: John Beer
- Treasurer: Trevor Fry
- Secretary: Peter Sheils
- Immediate Past President: Mick Debenham
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