Institute News

The NHVR will host another round of information sessions to support the heavy vehicle industry with the transition to recent changes to Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws. 

NHVR’s A/Director Strategy and Stakeholder Relations John Gilbert said the information sessions would explain the changes to CoR, the impact on supply chain businesses and how a Safety Management System (SMS) can effectively manage your operation’s safety risks. “The 12 sessions kick off at Goondiwindi on 27 February and finish on 28 March with the final session in Tamworth,” John said.

“Amendments to CoR laws to align the existing laws more closely with workplace health and safety provisions began on October 1, 2018. “This means that all parties in the chain must reduce risks related to the safety of transport tasks.”  The NHVR has developed a series of free tools to support businesses to implement a Safety Management System.

Having an SMS in place in your business can be one of the most effective ways of meeting your safety obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law,” John said. “Adopting and actively using an SMS has proven to help reduce safety-related incidents in other heavy transport industries, such as maritime, rail and aviation.”

For more information on Safety Management Systems, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/sms

Book a spot at an info session here

Date	Location	Time
27   February	Goondiwindi	4-5pm
27   February	Melbourne	10-11am
4    March	Cairns	10-11am
6    March	Tarcc	2-3pm
7    March	Emerald	10-11am
12  March	Bega	11-12pm
13  March	Swam Hill	6-7pm

Welcome to this fortnight’s edition of On the Road. My thoughts, on behalf of the NHVR staff, go out to those heavy vehicle operators and businesses impacted by floods and stock losses across North Queensland. I’m due to meet with livestock operators and bulk carriers in Griffith, NSW later this week, and I’m sure their colleagues will need a lot of support in the coming weeks and months.

The law has a number of supporting mechanisms to assist during times of disaster, particularly when it comes to fatigue management. It recognises that emergency services exemptions may be applicable for related work.

Any heavy vehicle operator, or anyone acting for or directed by an emergency service and who has time critical duties on the way to or during activities relating to the floods, is exempt from work and rest limits and requirements to carry and keep a work diary.

In the meantime please follow the NHVR Facebook page for updates on restriction and activities of the Flood Recovery Road Access Group.