ALRTA News – 17 April 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR
PACCAR & DEALER INDUSTRY FUND
 

Curious about what the New DAF XF, CF and LF model range can do for your business?

Visit www.daf.com.au for further information.

NATIONAL CABINET CHARTS PATH FORWARD

The National Cabinet met with week and agreed to a framework to plan the pathway for responding to the virus and conditions for relaxation of restrictions.
 
National Cabinet agreed to baseline measures remaining in place for the next four weeks, with individual states and territories who have put in place extended measures beyond baselines, to consider these measures based on up to date data and circumstances.
 
National Cabinet agreed to seven precedent conditions to any further relaxations, with work to continue over the next four weeks:

  1. Situational awareness of current measures and their impact – sophisticated surveillance of disease incidence and spread, health system status, public health capabilities, stocks of material and community adherence to public health measures.
  2. Finalised surveillance plan – enabled with adequate resources.
  3. A better understanding of the implications of the modelling and a better understanding of the characteristics and transmission of the virus.
  4. Complete maturation of public health capacity – including capacity to conduct testing more broadly; and public health workforce and technology for contact tracing, data collection and analysis.
  5. Advanced technology for contact tracing – the role of a mobile phone application should be wholly explored, as it could be a valuable tool in contact tracing if numbers increase and the application is widely taken up. This would act to complement and augment our current public health contact tracing strategies and enable scale-back strategies.
  6. Assurance of adequate health system capacity – should control measures fail, there must be assurance that the system will cope with any surge in cases, including the requirement for hospital beds, ventilators, PPE and ongoing workforce training.
  7. Assurance of supply lines for – PPE, pathology consumables, ventilators.

National Cabinet agreed that Australia will continue to progress a successful suppression/elimination strategy to address COVID-19.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 

ALRTA has received calls from members seeking access to personal protective equipment (PPE) – especially hand sanitiser.  ALRTA is aware that Total Uniform Solutions (TUS) has stock on hand (with more on the way) and is able to supply PPE directly to our members. ALRTA does not usually provide free advertising in our newsletter but on this occasion, we make an exception.
 
TUS have been providing Uniforms and PPE to the medical, aged care, government and retail industries for over 15 years. TUS has staff and offices in Australia, New Zealand, PNG and China.

  • Hand Sanitiser 75% Ethanol-Based that has been developed in compliance with EN1500 testing stands for ABHR. It contains 75% Ethanol content, which exceeds World Health Organisation’s recommendations for maximum efficiency to help fight the spread of disease.
  • Disposable Sterilised Surgical Face Masks (ASTM Type IIR) that meet the Australian Mask Standard AS4381:2015. Made from non-woven, high filtration paper with a flexible nose bridge to safely cover the nose, mouth and jaw.
  • Disposable Wipes (Ammonium Chloride) helping to disinfect surfaces, killing 99.99% of germs.
  • Disposable Gloves (100% Nitrile or 100% Latex) are medical-grade and are manufactured in accordance with ISO 13485 standards.
  • Disposable Isolation Suits that are antibacterial, anti-epidemic and made from medical grade fabric with a high particle filtration efficiency.
  • Disposable Sterilised Medical Gowns made from impervious, ignition resistant fabric that has high protection from airborne and blood-borne bacteria. CE, ISO and FDA Certification D375258

Click here to download all wholesale pricing or visit www.uniform.com.au

VARIATIONS TO THE MODERN AWARDS DURING COVID-19

Further to a decision issued by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission [[2020] FWCFB 1837], Modern Awards have been varied to include an additional Scheduled in relation to Additional Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Road Transport awards are included in those varied and have been amended to include the provision of (unpaid) pandemic leave and to introduce the taking of (extended) annual leave at half pay during the current pandemic. 

Should you have employees working under under different awards as well, please click the link opposite Fair Work Commission website

Please note the variation operates from 8 April 2020 until 30 June 2020.  In accordance with s.165(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 this determination does not take effect in relation to a particular employee until the start of the employee’s first full pay period that starts on or after 8 April 2020.

KEEP YOUR VEHICLE COVID-19 FREE 

Australia’s truck drivers are implementing stringent cleaning measures to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, and now transport and medical experts are sharing their advice on how all motorists can help keep vehicles coronavirus-free.

Many families still need their car to get to work or pick up groceries, and Australia’s largest transport and logistics insurer, NTI, said it was important drivers know how to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Clinical Director of national telehealth service 13 Doctor, Dr Ryan Harvey, said the first priority had to be hygiene. 
 
“The best practice a person can employ is general hygiene,” Dr Harvey said.  
 
“Washing hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds and regularly using hand sanitiser is the best way to combat germs and stop the spread of any virus. In your vehicle, consider having hand sanitiser in your centre console so it’s easily accessible. 
 
“You’ll also need to regularly clean the interior of your vehicle. No special formulations are required, just soap and water and general cleaning products.” 
 
NTI’s Business Relationships and Operations Manager Paul Burke said that’s what Australia’s truckies have been doing. 
 
“Truck drivers are regularly cleaning the interior surfaces, focusing on areas they touch the most. The steering wheel is an obvious one but it’s important to also concentrate on the gear stick, door handles, seatbelts, radio controls, window switches and fuel filler caps,” he said. 
 
“You can use disinfectant wipes for areas like the steering wheel if you wish but you want to make sure you don’t damage the vehicle’s interior so steer clear of bleach or ammonia-based products.” 
 
Mr Burke said if the vehicle was still being used regularly, drivers should consider an air conditioning sanitiser clean once a week. 
 
“For peace of mind, drivers might consider sanitising their vehicle’s air conditioning system using a sanitiser/cleaner pressure pack. To do this, put the air con on the recirculate mode with the fans on full. Wind your windows up and release a can of sanitiser spray inside the car. Shut the car door and leave the engine running for about 10 minutes so the disinfectant can make its way around the car’s interior. 
 
“We’ve also seen many truck drivers opt for protective plastic seat covers and disposable floor mats so they can make sure the vehicle stays clean. This might be worth considering for motorists, especially if there’s more than one driver using the vehicle.” 

MEAT PROCESSOR CLOSURES IN USA

Thus far, Australia has been spared major disruption to the meat supply chain. This is not the case in the USA with several major meat processors closing as workers contract COVID-19.  Click here to read more.

NHVR REST AREA MAP

The NHVR has launched a new online tool that maps service centres, truck stops and roadhouses that remain open for heavy vehicle drivers.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that the tool provided information about services and trading hours for service centres right across the country.

“Having access to food, showers, toilets and appropriate rest is critical for drivers to properly manage their fatigue,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“This new mapping tool will allow drivers to jump online and see quickly which facilities are still operational and providing these important services, allowing them to plan routes and breaks.

“We’ve worked with major retailers to develop this tool quickly, to support drivers at a time of significant demand for some freight supply chains.”

This tool was developed following protocols released by the government and NHVR last week to allow heavy vehicle drivers to continue to access these facilities.

The map can be accessed here and will also be available through the NHVR Route Planner shortly.

This information has been provided to the NHVR by retailers and heavy vehicle operators and may not be comprehensive. If you have been out on the roads and have seen a business that isn’t listed on the map please get in touch with us via email at info@nhvr.gov.au or via Facebook Messenger at www.facebook.com/nhvrofficial

The NHVR has undertaken a number of recent changes to assist drivers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including protocols for driver facilities to remain open, waiving amenity restriction on all curfew permits, extending supplementary work diary time limits and temporary changes to the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme medical and face-to-face audit requirements.

Click here for the latest information from the NHVR: www.nhvr.gov.au/coronavirus

YOUR INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN TRUCK DRIVER WELLNESS PROGRAM

OzHelp received a grant under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Round 4 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI). The project will develop a Health, Wellness and Suicide Prevention Program for Owner Drivers in the Transport Industry across Australia. This project will be developed over a 19-month period and will undertake research to identify the unique issues in Australia and the program outcomes.

Suicide is a major cause of injury-related mortality in Australia; each year, approximately 2,000 persons die due to suicide.  The burden of suicide in rural and regional areas of Australia far exceeds the burden in metropolitan areas, and past research has identified males involved in the transport industry as being at particularly high risk of poor physical health, poor mental health and suicide.  To reduce the occurrence of poor health and suicide among truck drivers, it is important to gain better understanding of individual, social and environmental risk and protective factors that influence poor health and suicide in the transport industry.

If you are aged 18 years or over, I would like to invite you to participate in a working group to discuss the issues, barriers and potential solutions relating to poor physical health, poor mental health and suicide in the transport industry.  The working group members will be truck drivers, and discussions will be by phone.  It is expected to take around 20 minutes, during which you will be asked to discuss your views about influences on poor physical health, poor mental health and suicide, how it affects the truck drivers, barriers to accessing assistance, and ways you think truck drivers at risk of developing poor health outcomes could be encouraged to seek help.  

Your participation in the working group would be greatly appreciated and will help inform evidence-based health, wellness and suicide prevention program for truck drivers in Australia. The questions you will be asked include:

The Issues

  • What do you believe are the issues that affect truck drivers’ wellness?

The Barriers

  • What do you believe are the barriers that prevent truck drivers from being well?

Potential Solutions

  • What do you believe are the solutions or potential programs that could help truck drivers maintain wellness?

How to reach drivers

  • What do you believe would be the best way to reach truck drivers in their trucks and remote locations?

If you wish to participate, or have any questions regarding the working group, please contact the Project Manager (1300 694 357 or michelle.jones@ozhelp.org.au).

2020 DAF TECHNICIAN & 2020 KENWORTH TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Andrew Paterson, Kenworth DAF Melbourne has been honoured as 2020 DAF Technician of the Year  
 
Chief Engineer PACCAR Australia, Noelle Parlier presented the 2020 DAF Technician of the Year award to Andrew congratulating him on his win and performance on the day.  
 
“Andrew is a very deserving winner of the DAF Technician of the Year. He performed all the set tasks to an incredibly high standard. Thank you to Kenworth DAF Melbourne for hosting today and the training you’ve provided Andrew. Congratulations to all the DAF finalists who came to Melbourne today.” 
 
DAF Trucks Australia is a division of PACCAR Australia, and assembles and distributes a complete range of medium to heavy-duty trucks through an extensive Australian dealer network that provides sales and aftersales support and services.  

PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business. 

Kyle Hardy, Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Toowoomba has been named 2020 Kenworth Technician of the Year  

Kenworth Chief Engineer, Noelle Parlier presented the award to Kyle Hardy congratulating him on his win and performance on the day.   

“Kyle’s assessment today was outstanding.  Congratulations to him on a well deserved win! Also well done to all the finalists who made it here today. Congratulations to the Brown & Hurley Group for their show of skill on the day. The testing up to and throughout the finals proved that the skill and experience of Kenworth Technicians are the best of the best in the industry. It showcased as a group the strength of the Dealership network. Customers will only experience the highest calibre of technical expertise and support when their trucks are serviced at a Kenworth Dealership.” 

Kenworth trucks are designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia by PACCAR Australia, to meet the world’s toughest applications throughout Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Kenworth is the market leader in heavy-duty trucks in Australia and New Zealand.  
 
PACCAR Australia, a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc., comprises of Kenworth Trucks, DAF Trucks, PACCAR Parts, PACCAR Financial and PacLease.  
 
PACCAR Inc., is a Six Sigma company, and is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium and heavy duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF brands. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, truck leasing and rental services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business. 

REMINDER: DRAFT RAMP STANDARD

Submission on the draft National Ramp Standard close on 27 April 2020.
 
Members are invited to consider the draft and provide comments to ALRTA or Standards Australia.
 
You will need to create an account on the Standards Australia website to view the Draft Standard. To commence the process click here.

REMINDER: LIVESTOCK SUPPLY CHAIN

Submissions to the NHVR Livestock Supply Chain Review close on 24 April 2020. ALRTA is consulting with State Member Associations and will lodge a submission in response to the review.
 
Please contact ALRTA or your state association to express your views or visit www.nhvr.gov.au/consultation

REMINDER: RAMPS AND EFFLUENT FUNDING

Round seven of the Australian Government’s $508m Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) is now open for applications. Eligible projects include:

  • Livestock transport industry proposals, provided such a facility is in a drought declared area and associated with a public road, and initiated and delivered by a local, state or territory government;
  • Livestock vehicle effluent collection and treatment facilities (provided such a facility is associated with a road and access is similar to that of a traditional rest area);
  • Proposals on the National Land Transport Network;
  • Rest Areas;
  • Parking/decoupling bays;
  • Technology trials;
  • Road enhancements;
  • Bridges, where they are a necessary component of the works and do not exceed 40 percent of the total project funding; and
  • Demonstration projects.

Only state/territory and local governments may apply. Private entities may however work with proponents to assist in preparing applications.
 
Applications must be submitted by 29 May 2020.
 
For more information click here.

REMINDER: COMPLETE NVDS & WAYBILLS

The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program upholds Australia’s reputation as a world leader in meat and livestock food safety. The program is underpinned by the LPA National Vendor Declaration (NVD)/waybills. 
 
Both ALRTA and the Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) remind all members to ensure completeness and correctness of the LPA NVD/waybill where you are responsible for entering the information.
 
More information can be found here.

ALRTA STAFF AVAILABILITY AMIDST COVID19

ALRTA  staff – Mathew, Sue, Colleen and Jack are working from home amidst COVID-19.

Please email office@alrta.org.au or call Colleen on the ALRTA mobile 0490 515 681 or Mathew (ED) on 0421 082 489.

UPDATE ON EVENTS FOR 2020

LRTAQ (QLD) on 19-21 March 2020 at Roma QLD. – POSTPONED
LTAT (TAS) on 2 May 2020 in Hobart TAS. – POSTPONED
LRTASA (SA)on 12-13 June 2020 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA. – CANCELLED
LRTAWA/ALRTA (WA & National) on 24-25 July 2020. Perth WA.- POSTPONED until further notice
LRTAV (VIC) on 14-15 August 2020 at All Seasons Resort Bendigo VIC – POSTPONED