The holiday season is here, and for many, that means a break from work and time with family and friends. For the heavy vehicle industry though, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year.
With borders opening up, we know there will be much more traffic on our roads and a little more care and patience will be required to ensure everyone remains safe. I urge everyone to please continue to undertake daily safety checks and get quality rest.
Importantly, I again want to thank the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain for your vital and essential support to the Australian community over the last 12 months.
It is a huge credit to the road transport sector that you have continued to navigate the constantly changing environment. Thank you for remaining resilient in your approach to ensure the best health and safety outcomes for everyone you have interactions with. Thank you.
I’m also particularly proud heading into Christmas and the new year that we can be confident in the health of our national heavy vehicle fleet.
Today we released the results of our National Roadworthiness Survey which showed the rate of non-conformities are down to 31 per cent from 48 per cent in 2016. This is a positive outcome and means safer trucks on our roads, as well as improved productivity through less truck breakdowns. Well done to all owners and operators for their investment in achieving this result.
We know the current AdBlue situation is top of mind for industry as we head into the Christmas period. The NHVR is providing assistance to the Commonwealth to support their work in this area.
Have a safe and happy Christmas, and I look forward to working with you all in 2022.
Sal, CEO
A healthy heavy vehicle fleet heading into Christmas
The NHVR has congratulated owners and operators that have contributed to a significant improvement in the mechanical health of Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the results of the National Roadworthiness Survey 2021 which inspected 13,325 heavy vehicle units across 8338 heavy vehicle combination in all Australian states and territories between May and June showed significant improvements.
The key findings from the survey included:
- The rate of all non-conformities has dropped from the 48 per cent in 2016 to 31 per cent in 2021
- The rate of major non-conformities and grounding has halved to six per cent of vehicle inspected
- Brakes remained the highest non-conforming components – reducing from 25 per cent in 2016 to 14 per cent in 2021
- Rigid trucks were the highest non-conforming vehicle type at 38 per cent, which has again reduced from 52 per cent in 2016
- The average age of the inspected fleet was 10.2 years, compared to 9.2 years in 2016.
> Read more about the NRS:2021 here
NHVR security seals provide safety assurance for operators
The NHVR will commence using branded security seals from 4 January 2022, supporting measures to deliver a consistent tamper proof transport and logistics network.
The seals will be used by NHVR officers in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT where a heavy vehicle’s load is sealed and inspected.
Director Southern Region (Operations) Paul Simionato confirmed the seals would add an additional level of assurance for operators and drivers, together with those taking final delivery of loads.
“The seals are another example of the NHVR delivering increased levels of safety and security across industry,” Paul said.
“On an occasion where an officer inspects a load, we will re-seal the load with an NHVR security seal, signalling that the load has been inspected and hasn’t been tampered with when it arrives at its final destination.”
Any questions regarding security seals, please contact Operational.support@nhvr.gov.au
Renewed notice allows short work breaks for concrete agitator drivers
Eligible concrete agitator drivers can continue to record idle time spent in a stationary vehicle while the engine is running as a ‘short work break’, under the upcoming National Heavy Vehicle Concrete Agitator Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2022 (No 1).
The renewed exemption notice comes into effect on 1 January 2022 and will allow concrete agitator drivers to take 30 minute ‘short work breaks’ in blocks of 15 continuous minutes while they are sitting in the driver’s seat of a loaded truck and not working.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said this exemption notice provides a practical solution to work and rest management that benefits the industry.
“After consulting with industry and conducting a successful trial, we can continue to offer a sensible and safe answer to the common problem of drivers using their work hours for what is effectively rest, when they are held up at a site.”
“The exemption notice provides both safety and productivity improvements for this important and busy sector.”
CCAA CEO Ken Slattery said the renewed exemption notice will be welcomed by industry, as it provides flexibility for drivers by allowing them to choose when they take a break.
“This notice allows eligible concrete agitator drivers to take control of their work and rest hours, improving productivity for the concrete industry without compromising safety,” Mr Slattery said.
Online National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice Operator’s Guide
The NHVR has released an online operator’s guide for the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2020. The online operator’s guide will replace the PDF guides with one mobile-responsive webpage.
Feedback from industry confirmed it’s much easier to find information in these online operator’s guides, which can still be printed as a complete document if operators want to carry a paper copy in their trucks.
> Click here to read the online National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2020 Operator’s Guide
Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds launches industry recognition campaign
Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation recently launched its Industry Recognition Campaign, which aims to raise public awareness of the fantastic work of those in the transport and logistics sector – a largely unseen workforce in Australia.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the campaign would help support improved mental health, safety and wellbeing for truck drivers, distribution centre, and warehouse staff across Australia.
“Truck drivers and workers in the heavy vehicle supply-chain are instrumental in keeping Australia’s economy moving, but their efforts aren’t always visible to those who don’t work in the industry,” Sal said.
“This campaign will help recognise the dedication and commitment of everyone in the sector during what has been a particularly challenging period.”
> Learn more about the HHTS Industry Recognition Campaign here
Christmas and New Year travel restrictions
Over the Christmas and New Year period, there are travel restrictions in place for certain Class 1 heavy vehicles as outlined below.
For vehicles operating under a permit, operators should check the permit’s conditions to establish whether Christmas or public holiday travel restrictions are listed or are referenced in related notices.
All heavy vehicles are subject to conditions of access under their relevant notice or permit.
> Click here for more information about holiday access
NHVR office hours
The NHVR offices will close on Saturday 25 December 2021 and re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2021.
During this time, we will continue to process NHVAS and Access applications, but we will not be processing other types of applications (i.e. Fatigue, PBS or Vehicle Standards).
The NHVR Contact Centre will be closed on national public holidays, but will open on all other business days from 8am–6pm (AEDT). The Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line will be closed from 25 December 2021 to 3 January 2022 inclusive.
Please be aware that other road managers, such as local governments, may have limited or no services available during this period.
